1920s Vintage Fashion

1920s fashion marked one of the most dramatic style shifts of the century, as women abandoned the corset in favour of soft, unstructured underwear and a straight, low-waisted silhouette. It was less about being thin and more about looking athletic and youthful - a reaction against the restrictive Edwardian styles that came before, and to the new freedoms women had won after the First World War.

Our 1920s fashion pieces echo the era's key details: dropped waists, Art Deco-inspired prints in silk, chiffon and satin, and the fringing and beading that defined the flapper dress. Finish the look the way the Jazz Age did - with a cloche hat, T-bar shoes and a long string of beads.

What should you wear for a 1920s outfit?

The easiest way to put together 1920s outfits for women is to start with the dress. Our 1920s dresses are cut in liquid rayon satin and floaty georgette, from bias-cut Art Deco gowns with dramatic balloon sleeves to three-piece ensembles with a matching kimono. Add a velvet opera coat or a lighter natural-fibre coat from our 1920s jackets and coats for cooler evenings, then finish with a cloche hat and lashes from our 1920s accessories.

Heading to a 1920s party? A satin gown, long beads and a headband will do far more than any costume, and you will be able to wear the dress again afterwards.

How do you get a 1920s look?

You don't need a full flapper costume. Choose the silhouette first: a dropped waist or a fluid line that skims the body, with the decoration kept to the neckline, sleeve or hem. Then add a few period details:

• a cloche hat or a beaded headband
• long strings of beads and Art Deco jewellery
• T-bar or Mary Jane shoes
• gloves, and a velvet or fur-look coat for the evening

Underneath, keep it soft and smooth. 1920s clothes were designed for simple, unstructured underwear rather than a waist-defining corset, which is a big part of why they are so comfortable to wear.

Not sure whether 1920s style will suit you? Our guide to wearing 1920s fashion today answers the questions we hear most, and our 1920s style guide covers the history, the silhouettes and the icons, from Coco Chanel to Louise Brooks.

If you love the geometry of the decade, browse our Art Deco fashion collection, or move on to the softer, more fluid 1930s vintage fashion.