Why the Most Modern Decade of the Last Century Still Feels Relevant - Celebrating the Age of Chic
One hundred years ago, in 1926, fashion was changing at a remarkable pace.
Women were cutting their hair, shortening their hemlines and embracing a new kind of freedom. The rigid corseted silhouettes of previous decades were giving way to simpler and straighter lines, more relaxed dressing and clothing designed for movement not ornamentation. It was a moment of cultural transformation, and fashion reflected it.
(note...I am also currently researching the 1830s, having much disregarded the 19th century in the past - and there is nothing more interesting to me than how fashion SO reflects social change, structure and what us humans are focussed on at the time. The 1920s is so striking in how it was SO different - caused by its post war, societal change among other things and so I continue to explore, can we wear 1920s now?)
A century later, the appeal of 1920s style remains surprisingly contemporary... its not channeled by many for everyday wear despite all its merits. It is often reduced to the decade of flapper dresses and costume parties... and i think some of scared of dressing 1920s because of this and how difficult it is to source originals and non costume 1920s style. However, authentic 1920s fashion was far more nuanced, it was elegant rather than extravagant, practical rather than theatrical, and many of its defining features continue to influence how we dress today. (whether we realise it or not...)
As House of Foxy celebrates its own centenary inspiration with the launch of Under a Paper Moon, our 1926 capsule collection - we're revisiting the question: how we make 1920s wearable today....
The Real 1920s Were Not All Sequins and Fringe
When most people picture the 1920s, they imagine the glittering world of Gatsby.
In reality, everyday fashion looked rather different.
Women wore softly draped day dresses, neat collars, dropped waists, delicate embroidery and practical separates. There was an emphasis on ease and comfort that felt revolutionary at the time. Clothing no longer existed solely to shape the body but instead, allowed women to move freely through a rapidly changing world.
Many of these ideas feel remarkably familiar today.
The preference for relaxed silhouettes, effortless elegance and versatile pieces remains at the heart of modern dressing.
Why 1920s Style Works So Well Now
The enduring appeal of 1920s fashion lies in its subtlety.
Unlike some vintage eras that rely on highly structured silhouettes, 1920s clothing integrates naturally into a contemporary wardrobe. A beautifully cut day dress, a softly draped blouse or an Art Deco-inspired print can feel entirely modern when styled thoughtfully.
The decade also celebrated a kind of understated glamour that is starting to resonate more today - as many of us explore 'slow' fashion. Rather than chasing trends, women invested in pieces that felt elegant, wearable and distinctive - though this was very likely economical choice.
In many ways, the 1920s anticipated the modern concept of a capsule wardrobe long before the term existed.
But its also good for those of us with less hourglass figures. We come in all shapes and sizes and as much as we love a waist - not everyone has that without some cinching help. The 1920s is not about the waist...and actually, feminine dressing doesnt always 'need' the waist. I/We need to rethink that concept.
How to Wear 1920s Fashion Without Looking Like You're Wearing a Costume
The key is to focus on inspiration rather than replication.
Look for pieces that capture the essence of the decade:
- Fluid silhouettes
- Art Deco inspired details
- Elegant draping
- Delicate and simplistic embellishment
- Soft and straight tailoring
- Rich, romantic colour palettes
- chiffon and floaty fabrics - tiered and assymetical
Pair them with contemporary accessories and modern footwear to create a look that feels timeless rather than theatrical.
The goal is not historical reenactment. It is bringing the spirit of the 1920s into modern life.
Introducing Under a Paper Moon
Created to mark one hundred years since 1926, our new Under a Paper Moon collection celebrates the decade that transformed fashion forever.
This collection was such fun to create and took us down a bit of a rabbit hole. The backdrop of the moon we used was inspired by the 'moonbooth' trend of the early part of the century which was in turn inspired by the films of George Méliès in the early part of the century - 'La Voyage dans le Moon' (give it a watch - its very wierd - i found it here) among others. According to many sources, this film inspired the rise of the moon backdrop for popular photographic studios which were uses for personal and family portraits.
Since we aren't known for making our lives easy - we decided to make one! (note..this was also re-used for a recent wedding!) So - whilst we had such fun, it was a labour of love because obviously we require colour. So a big thanks to Ona for her artistic abilities! The moon was a super backdrop for our model Samara with drapes of velvet behind.
But also, i was continually drawn to images of Louise Brooks and Josephine Baker and the collections was likely inspired by both, drawing on the romance, freedom and sophistication of the era while remaining entirely wearable today. It was a cross between the glamorous world of satin and sparkle - hence the moon - and the lightweight froth of tiered chiffon and hanker-chief hems, which was represented much more through mannequin shots.
We created several new styles - but i will draw your attention to my particular favourite....Laverne - a 3 piece ensemble. Simple under slip, a chiffon sleeveless drop waist dress and topped with a drapey jacket. I cannot begin to tell you how it feels to wear this dress - so feminine.... the way we cut the skirt at the drop waist makes it fall into simply beautiful shapes so reminiscent of the pictures Ive been drooling over.
Im so happy with it and will be sporting it to a wedding in August. (im not brave enough to cut my locks into a bob - having done so 6 years ago and found it harder work due to my hair type - so I will have to be imaginative). But this dress Im sure will turn heads for any wearer but not because its odd in its 1920s styling or unusual compared to fashions now - NO... just because its so beautiful and so relevant now.
Anyway, to sum up - I have concluded AGAIN that great style never truly belongs to one decade.
A hundred years later, the best of 1926 still feels relevant.
And perhaps that's the secret of enduring fashion: it continues to speak to us long after trends have faded.
See our full 'Under A Paper Moon' Collection here
1920s FAQ - what we get asked about 1920s Fashion
- What did women wear in 1926?
A capsule wardrobe of simple dresses with drop waists, long line coats, cotton or chiffons styles for summer, mary jane shoes and art deco inspired adornments. Dont forget the bob haircut and cloche hat worn close to the head. - How do you wear 1920s fashion in a modern way?
- What is the difference between flapper style and everyday 1920s fashion?
The flapper was all about Luxury and exhuberance and was expressed through the use of sumptuous fabrics such as silk, velvet and satin. With the shape emphasis still placed on the hip - dresses were gathered on the hip or the back, the shoulders and evolved to reflect the frenzy of the jazz age.
Everyday was practical, simple and delicate - not designed for excessive attention -
Are dropped-waist dresses flattering today?
Absolutely! And not just for those whose body shape suits non waisted styles better...drop waists emphasise the hip and move style attention away from the bust and waist.
Read more about 1920s style and how to wear it today in our 1920s style guide here