S/S 12 Trend: 1920s

The “Roaring Twenties” marked the return to normality afer World War I, jazz music blossomed, womanhood was redefined by the flappers and Art Deco was at its peak. Spring/Summer 2012 sees the return of this era to fashion.


Left (top to bottom): Barbara Stanwyck, illustration of Chanel collection F/W 1925/1926, daytime looks illustration & Joan Crawford. Right side (top to bottom): necklace & earrings: Etro, clutch: Salvatore Ferragamo, runway: Etro, bottom row: runway: Ralph Lauren, shoes & clutch: Etro

Women were not only liberated from the corset, for the first time, women's legs were seen with hemlines rising to the knee and dresses becoming more fitted. Around 1925 skirts ended just below the knee. Ralph Lauren and Giles use this length this season


Left: Ralph Lauren, right: Giles.

while John Galliano and Etro rather reference it.


Left: John Galliano, right: Etro.

Low-waisted dresses with fullness at the hemline allowed women to literally kick up their heels in the new dances like the Charleston.


Left: Roberto Cavalli, right: Etro.

Fashion was heavily influenced by art movements such as surrealism or cubism. Art slowly transformed from the curvilinear abstractions of art nouveau to the more mechanized and geometric shapes of art deco.


Etro

Todays image of 1920s fashion is strongly influenced by the Flapper`s style, which largely emerged as a result of French fashions and its pioneer Coco Chanel. The rapid spread of jazz, and the popularization of dancing contributed to the dispersal of the new style. Flapper dresses were straight and loose, leaving the arms bare. The style made girls look young and rather boyish with short hair (like bobs), flattened breasts, and straight waists-lines.


Left: Etro, right: Roberto Cavalli.

“The Golden 20s” are a well-known term, which describes the economic boom following World War I and the severe economic downturns that took place between 1919–1923. It was a time of economic prosperity and new riches, that required celebrating and glamorous looks. Feathers and silk were very popular, as they are again today.


Left: Ralph Lauren, right: Etro, shoes: Etro, box clutch: Salvatore Ferragamo.

The 2012 take on 1920s fashion also adds our current trends pastel colours and clutch bags to the look.


Dress, clutch & pink shoes: Etro, mint shoes: Ralph Lauren.

Picture credits: Runway & accessory pictures are property of the respective brands. 1920s b/w pictures: carbonated.

How do you like this season`s return to 1920s fashion? Which elements do you like best and which will you wear yourself?