Flapper Fashion

The 20s is by far the most interesting and one of my favourite decades in terms of fashion. At the end of World War I, a lot of young women found themselves wanting to break away from old traditions in order to enjoy life. The need to adhere to former rigid models of feminity gave way to the freedom of expressing one's self through one's dressing and sense of style.

The Flapper

The term flapper was used to describe a young girl on the verge of womanhood, a "fledgling, yet in the nest, and vainly attempting to fly while its wings had only pinfeathers"; an attractively unconventional wild thing. The flapper rejected the repressive Victorian fashion and redefined fashion on the lines of personal freedom and liberty.
Coco Chanel pioneered the change with her stripped down dresses, athletic wear, and by relaxing waistlines and raising hemlines. The new dress allowed a woman to move freely, it didnt fall apart when she went dancing and it was durable.

Get The Look

Flapper to me symbolizes a strong sexy glamorous woman with a mind of her own. Much like the character of Dominique Francon in Ayn Rand's Fountainhead.  Dressing up as a Flapper is always a lot of fun and a guaranteed hit at parties! To get the look rummage through your closet for a silky straight sleeveless dress with a relaxed waist and a pair of your most shiny pumps. Gell back your hair and adorn it with a glittery hair band. (Even better if you sport "bobbed" hair. ) For an added twist tuck a feather into the band.  Put on a pair of elbow length gloves, a faux strand of pearls that go all the way down to your belly and nude stockings. Go flat out with your make up - apply ruby red lipstick, dark eyeliner, paint a beauty spot on your cheek and you're set to roll.  Here are some fabulous Flapper photographs from Vogue that I simply adore.

(photographs from Style)

Flappers Today

Nobody emulates the Flapper style better than Dita Von Tesse. Her attitude, her clothes (minus the tight corsets) and her make-up have inspired many a fashionistas to experiment with Flapper Fashion. Paris Hilton and Katie Holmes also have a penchant for Flapper wear. The Flapper dress can be flirty and feminine or fun and sporty and is versatile enough to wear during day or night. It flatters all shapes and sizes like Dita Von Tesses curves or Paris Hilton's lanky frame.

Women today particularly enjoy the freedom that a Flapper dress allows them. They can dress it up or dress it down as they please and it is a good way of breaking free from complicated patterns and prints and returning back to an era of timeless elegance and sophistication.
 If I can ever go back in time I would definitely want to be a part of the Fabulous Flapper Generation and dance the night away in a Jazz Club.