The flapper look is a classic in US fashion history and is instantly recognizable. Consequently, dressing up as a flapper is ideal for Halloween and themed parties. Since it is quite an iconic style, you have to make sure you choose the one you will wear in detail. Here is a guide to creating a true 1920s girl outfit.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Choosing the Clothes
Step 1. Find the right silhouette
A classic 1920s-style look is mostly based on dresses, especially sheath dresses.
A 1920s-style dress does not have a defined waistline (the waistline often fell to the hips); features straight vertical lines that fall softly to the body, a round neckline showing neck and shoulders, minimal or nonexistent sleeves, a hem that falls squarely to the knees or higher (an outrageously short length at the time)
Step 2. Choose the cut of the dress
The classic options were two: dress with fringes and sheath dress covered with decorations.
- While fringes are generally associated pretty quickly with 1920s-style fashion, Egyptian-style motifs and embellishments were just as popular at the time (inspired by the recent discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb), so you can choose clothes and fabrics with vague Egyptian reminiscences.
- If you opt for the classic fringed dress, the easiest option is to buy a ready-made one in a vintage color, perhaps black, white, gold or silver.
- If you prefer to make the dress and you know how to do it with the sewing machine, you can create a solid color dress that recalls the 1920s cuts. If you intend to make a dress entirely covered with fringes, buy several meters (depending on your size and margin of error, you will need 5-8m) and sew them in consecutive horizontal rows along the fabric.
- If you prefer just a fringed edge at the bottom, buy about 1m and sew it around the hem of the dress.
- To add more details to the dress you will sew, read this article.
Step 3. Choose your shoes
In the 1920s there was a great change in the profile and shape of the shoes. In fact, they became a visible part of the suits thanks to the shorter dresses.
- The most popular shoes at the time were characterized by heels at least 5 cm high, with Mary Jane-style or T-shaped ankle straps. Sometimes they were decorated with sequins or beads.
- The flapper fashion was dance-oriented, so choose shoes that allow you to dance, with covered toes and chunky heels, no stilettos!
- If you just can't stand high heels, you may want to go for ballet flats, but the result may not be as authentic.
Part 2 of 3: Hair and Makeup
Step 1. Create a 1920s-style makeup
The make-up of those years was quite distinct and characterized by long and thin eyebrows, lots of black kajal, dark eyeshadow, deep red lipsticks and lips with a well-defined Cupid's bow.
- To make up your brows, try to make them long, relatively thin and straight. You don't have to shave them to get the 1920s-style shape, you can use a special pencil to draw them.
- Use dark eyeshadow and pencil to create smoky makeup. Apply a black pencil on both lids and blend it well, then create a dark smoky effect with the right eyeshadows. To learn more about the technique, read this article.
- Apply a rosy blush right on the knobs.
- On the lips, apply a deep red matte pencil. Try to emphasize the heart shape of the lips by outlining the cupid's bow and boldly coloring the lower lip with the pencil.
Step 2. Style your hair
One of the distinguishing features of the flappers was the helmet, a short and even cut that was radically unconventional for the time. If you don't have short hair or can't recreate it, curls are the watchword of this style. So put them in style by creating defined curls or soft waves. Read How to Create Heatless Curls or How to Create 1930s Wavy Hairstyle for more detailed instructions.
- If you already have short or bob hair, you can style it like a real flapper: create waves that frame your face with hot rollers or a curling iron.
- If you don't have short hair, you can create a faux bob by gathering it into a low bun or rolled up ponytail (gather your hair in a low ponytail, then tuck and pin the ponytail underneath with bobby pins; decide whether to keep it) stop / disguise it with a headband or ribbon tied around the head). Alternatively, you can simply wear a 1920s-style hat or other type of headdress (see part 3), without worrying about the hair at all.
Step 3. Another option is to buy a wig
If you really want to embrace the flapper look, but are unable to recreate the classic bob with your hair, choose a wig that has this shape.
- If you want to imitate Clara Bow, the iconic actress who personified flapper style on the big screen, look for a short black wig.
- If you want to pay homage to the greatest diva and style icon of the 1920s, Coco Chanel, look for a short, wavy dark brown wig.
- If your icon is the great silent film actress Mary Pickford, look for a short wavy light brown or dark blonde wig.
Part 3 of 3: Choosing the Accessories
Step 1. Choose a headband
Headbands with beads, sequins or pearls are a classic choice, perfect for subtle style and understated elegance. Flappers usually wore headbands on their foreheads, and then fell back on their hair.
- The easiest solution is to make a simple headband with a row of beads. Buy a row of beads long enough to fit your head and secure both ends with hot glue, hair tie, or something else. Then, you can add a clasp with a feather to give an even more vintage touch to the accessory.
- For an equally simple result, you can buy a sequin or plain headband, and then glue some sequins on it.
- You can customize a slightly fancier headband by purchasing elastic (the thinner the better) about half the circumference of your head. Then, buy some beads in the size of your choice (just make sure you get enough to cover the circumference of your head). Finally, thread the elastic into the beads and tie the ends.
Step 2. Choose a hat or other headdress
If you prefer a piece that stands out more than a headband, opt for one of the classic flapper headdresses: a cloche, turban or beaded 1920s cap.
- The hat most associated with the flapper style is the cloche, a bell-shaped hat (cloche means "bell" in French) that adheres well to the head. You can find it on many sites, but also in costume shops.
- Many flappers embellished the cloche with pearls, flowers, feathers or embroidery, so don't be afraid to customize your hat.
- Another popular headdress was the turban. You can buy one ready to use or select a fabric and create it yourself. This process is relatively straightforward and can be implemented with a few simple steps.
- Flappers also used tight-fitting beaded headpieces, which can be an ideal solution if you don't want to bother styling your hair. In fact, you will completely cover them. These hats are quite difficult to make, but can be found at many online costume or DIY stores.
Step 3. Roll up the socks
One of the biggest (and most controversial) innovations in flapper fashion was just that.
- Instead of wearing classic stockings, flappers preferred short ones (similar to today's Parisian or knee-highs), rolled up to the bottom of the knee.
- The most important feature of the look was the rolled up part left in the upper area of the sock. By avoiding unrolling them completely, the flappers gave the impression that the socks were half worn.
- Nude was the most popular for socks (black was considered traditional), but even those with patterns or pastels suited the flapper aesthetic. You also have the option to choose fishnet stockings.
- Finally, remember that in the 1920s the socks still had seams, so if you want to make your costume more precise, choose them accordingly. If you can't find them, you can draw a seam along the back with an eyebrow pencil.
Step 4. Choose your neck accessories
Between scarves and long necklaces, the classic flapper look rarely left this area free.
- Opt for a single long necklace or several long necklaces at different heights. When flappers wore jewelry, it was almost exclusively long pearl necklaces, sometimes with double strings.
- Alternatively, choose a scarf or feather boa. Of course, fringes and feathers are a must in the flapper style, so add a fringed scarf or feather boa to the combination for even more style. They are especially useful accessories if you don't have a long pearl necklace.
- If you choose a scarf, prefer one that is long and thin, perhaps with a fringe, to fully reflect the look of the flappers.
Step 5. Refine the look with the finishing touches
There are some indistinguishable accessories that will really allow you to complete the flapper style and make you stand out.
- Wear gloves up to the elbow. Many flappers had no problem leaving their arms totally uncovered, but the gloves up to the elbow were ideal for evening parties. Adding a pair to your costume can give you a touch of sophistication.
- You may need to search the internet for elbow-length gloves, but you may also be able to find them at a costume shop.
- Bring a flask with you. If you really want to embody the flapper's rebellious spirit, bring a flask and show your contempt for prohibition.
- A popular, and provocative, way in which flappers carried the flask with them? Secure it to the leg with a garter belt.
