Flapper Research Paper

The 1920s was a time of exhilarating progress in both economic and social areas of society. Prohibition increased the appeal of drinking, creating a booming nightlife industry. People were eager for entertainment, enjoying widespread professional sports and interesting new inventions, like the creation of film and the automobile. Women had just gained the right to vote from the 1920 19th amendment, and were proud to claim their rights. Flappers were young, lively women who contributed to the roar of the 1920s by dressing differently and participating in risky, enjoyable activities previously reserved for men.

During 1920s, a new era of fashion came in the United States. It was the era when women first abandoned restricting fashions of the past decades and began to wear more comfortable clothes. During this time the new girl was invented - a Flapper, who wore short skirts, bobbed her hair, listened to jazz, and flaunted her disdain for what was then considered acceptable behavior. This is the background for the 1926 cartoon created by Will B. Johnstone. The cartoon shows a flapper pulling out words from the dictionary, that portray the qualities that flappers got rid of in 1920s, such as modesty, obedience and prudery.

The New Modern Era of 1920s When people think of the 1920's, the phrase "The Roaring Twenties" usually comes to mind. It was a time when more people lived in the cities than on farms (Hoover). A time where the role women had on society took a huge turn for the better. The image of the flapper came to life as it portrayed how the young woman was seen across the nation. Some issues that women had in the 1920's are related to some of the issues women have today.

Women were now wanting to be an individual wave, making the water more diverse. The new diverse waters brought new fashion, along with film stars. The new fashion was more hip, loose, and revealing. This new fashion era brought a new type of woman(s) - The Flappers. These females were normally between the ages of 15 to 25.

Flappers one of the most iconic depictions of the 1920s. From scandalous clothing to exotic dancing they were defined as new women. As a way to fight for women's rights and freedoms, to be heard and seen flappers were the new way to be. In 1920 the law for women to be able to vote was passed.

Flappers were typically younger, urban women who enjoyed defying traditional standards of female behavior. Flappers customarily had bobbed hair, smoke cigarettes, wore makeup, and drank alcohol. Flappers drove cars and participated in sports. Not all women supported the movement. It was especially frowned upon in rural, conservative

A flapper during the 1920’s was a young woman who was fashionable, and wanted to enjoy herself by going

Flappers were young women known for their independence who usually had shoulder-length hair and wore copious amounts of makeup. These women experimented with new looks, jobs, and lifestyles as they chose activities to please themselves. Lastly, men got two new types of trousers: oxford bags and plus-fours. “Men usually cut their hair short and wore some sort of hat: popular styles included the felt hat, the fedora or trilby, flat caps, or the straw boater depending on the season and the man’s status” (Reddy). They also moved away from uncomfortable lace-up boots and preferred lower-cut oxfords or

1920s Advertising During the 1920s, advertisement started to increase and expand. Many ideas and tactics were used to lure the attention of the consumers. After World War I, America started to grow with a stable and growing economy. This flourishment made many American's live out the 1920s in prosperity.

Flappers wore controversial attire that correlated with their equally controversial ideology. In “Women’s Fashion”, another section of “American Decades”, Tompkins references the styles of Flappers in the 1920s, specifically how their clothing was a result of changing values. Tompkins states “Women's fashions in the 1920s reflected radical changes affecting many areas of post-World War I American society.” Flapper attire included knee length dresses that were very loosely hung, short “Bobbed” haircuts, and heavy cosmetics, something that was traditionally strictly for prostitutes.

In this aspect, the 1920s were one of the most influential decades in U.S. history because of the introduction of the "New Women". "New Women," or flappers, were young women who embraced the new ideas, freedoms, and modernism of the Roaring Twenties. Flappers wore new and popular clothing from the era. Their signature look was short "bob" hair, which represented their independence to men. A majority of flappers were women's suffrage activist.

The flapper represented the “modern woman” in American youth culture in the 1920’s, and was epitomized as an icon of rebellion and modernity. Precocious, young, stubborn, beautiful, sexual, and independent, the flapper image and ideology revolutionized girlhood. The term “flapper” originated in England to describe a girl who flapped and had not yet reached maturity.

Joshua show us that the flapper was more or less a victim of circumstance. With all the new advances in technology and the reforms of the world, it was only a matter of time before women decided that they needed some independence as well. Immigrants coming in the country left and right, people of color fighting for their human rights, and men fighting for their country. They began to smoke, drink and have sex because it was their life, they wanted to vote, own property and obtain any job they wanted because it was their right, they did not want to dress in their mother’s attire and not all of them wanted to have children because it was their body. The 1920’s were revolutionary for the woman and Mr. Zeitz puts it all into perspective with his

After the 19th amendment was passed, giving women the right to vote, woman began leaving behind their traditional roles and taking on new responsibilities, fashion trends and claiming their independence.(Doc 5.The New Woman). The younger generation of ladies in the 1920s surfaced into what is know as a flapper. Flappers listened to jazz music, embraced risqué fashion trends, and took part in bold behavior, which challenged their stereotype and led to more tension. The need breed of woman wanted to be accepted by the older generation, who often judged and disagreed with their new lifestyle. (doc 6.

The 1920s in America, also known as the Roaring Twenties, was a time of political, social, economic, technological, and cultural developments. These developments created new changes and helped shape the ways of life of the American people. Women played a significant example in social changes. From improvements in the education system, to minor developments such as the changes in attire. Another major development was economic production.