1920s Evening Wear

The 1920s is an iconic era of fashion. One of the most popular fashion items were evening gowns- that were movie like dresses that women usually wore in the evening.

The Great Gatsby is a blockbuster movie of 2013, which depicts the gorgeous fashion and styles of the 1920s. How women wore lavish gowns with complimenting accessories was a capturing sight to see.

Let’s find out a little more about these 1920’s Gatsby themed evening gowns and how they made an impact on modern fashion as well.

Dforce 1920s Evening Gown Outfit Textures

There were some prominent features of 1920’s evening gowns that made an impact on the way people dressed during the era. They incorporated unique sewing patterns, designs, and cutwork that were not just innovative but were game-changer for the fashion industry.

Most of these dresses comprised of clusters of crystal and gemstone work that would further complement the materials used. In addition, gold and silver embroidery was popularly seen on these dresses.

The embroidery would be focused on the sleeves and the main torso. Evening gowns became even more popular as they were made of flowy and rich materials that would show off their premium quality. This is why any dress would be a piece of art of its own.

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This was also an era when fashion designers were known for their unique styles. Similarly, popular designers of the time, like Jeanne Lanvin, introduce game-changing designs like the Robe De Style gowns that we’re one of a kind.

Sequin was a big feature of 1920s evening gowns. They made the dresses a lot heavier and further became an icon of wealth and majesty.

Other innovative designers like Callot Soeurs made use of metal sequins accenting the dresses. These sequins were more popularly known as ‘gold sequin-line disks’ that were used since Egyptian times on King Tut’s attire.

Eye On Design: 1920s Evening Dress

If metal sequins and thread were too expensive to purchase, a shiny taffeta dress homemade with large silk flowers acted as luxury bits for lower-class party dresses.

Bare evening gowns were a popular style during this era. This is one dress that would show off the skin as well as complement different skin tones. This was more popular as a ‘dance’ dress as it allowed a lot of leg and arm movement.

Bare evening gowns had a relatively shorter length, which is why women wore them for parties and prancing around. However, bare gowns also took a longer form when worn in the winters. Yet the material used was still light and flowy.

S Evening Gowns & Dresses History By Year

The neckline was relatively higher with around a square neck. While the backs were exquisite with deeper cuts that revealed the hind side, they did not require undergarments due to its specific material, cut, and style.

Many women also paired nude or colored stockings with their bare evening gowns that were relatively sheer but added on as a perfect accessory. The preferred colors for stocking were pastel peach and apricot colors.

These evening gowns were usually paired with mesh handbags, beaded accessories, and even bejeweled cigarette holder. Other people also liked to use hair ornaments as well as wraps around themselves for a chilly night.

Us Warehouse] Pink 1920s Cap Sleeve Sequin Evening Dress

The decade started a much fuller skirt that was much more defined from the waist. It had a flouncing silhouette. The Robe De Style was much more popular during the time, which rapidly spread as many other designers started to copy it.

During 1922 and 1923, the defined waist trend continued. People loved a dress that would give a pronounced shape to the body. However, the noticeable trend was how evening gowns were much shorter.

The allowed a lot more movement and the chance to show off some skin. The necks were much higher and not the usual plunging neckline. A boat neck or a round neck was much more popular, with all kinds of hair accessories.

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1924 was an iconic year when Chanel started breaking all fashion boundaries. It further shortened the dresses which bought the trend of dancing frocks. They allowed a lot more movement and women loved them for evening dances and parties.

These dancing frocks were made of light material but were just as fashionable. They showcased gold embroidery, bead, and stonework as well as crystal-encrusted torsos.

The preferred materials were chiffon and lace that had a ‘flow’ to it and were much lighter than satin and velvet. In addition, these dance frocks were in muted beige and pastel shades. They were loud colors yet they made the statement.

S Men's Evening Wear History: Tuxedos To Tailcoats

This year is when lower backs were revolutionized in dresses. It showed off the skin as well as were paired with frilly voluminous skirts.

The fringe was very on-trend this year. Silk fringes were also a popular dance frock because of the way the fringes pranced around. This is also why such dresses became popular with performers.

While there were no drastic changes in 1926, there were some changes that lead the way to the coming years. There was more and more use of beads as well. The material expanded to crepes, lace, satin as well as taffeta.

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Straight dresses with fuller skirts became much more popular. This time muted shades were out of style! Brighter colors like blue, lavender, yellow, green, terracotta, and lipstick red were seen on women.

The last remaining years also bought iconic changes. The handkerchief hem became a trend, which was longer evening gowns that showed off some leg. The colors too shifted to darker burgundy, midnight blue and red.

Later in 1929, evening gowns started to have longer sleeves. Gowns even had a longer tail at the back, while the front ended mid-shin. Such dresses started getting featured in vogue in the 1920s making them an icon of the era.

Evening Dress Gown 1920s 1929 Twenties

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Whatever a woman could afford, she wore with great expense when she dressed up for a night on the town. Perhaps dinner and dancing at a swanky night club followed by a risky nightcap at the local speakeasy, or for the moral citizens a night at the opera, ballet or theater would be the occasion. Special occasions called for the best evening gowns and fanciest accessories.

In general, 1920s evening gowns separated themselves from formal afternoon dresses by going sleeveless. Bare arms were wrapped in silk shawls, furs, caplets, and the hands of a special gentleman for the night. Dresses were designed to be as loose as day dresses, but were made with the most expensive fabric and trimming a woman could afford.

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Beading was all the rage for the entire decade. At first, beads were placed in small clusters to accent the hip, bust, shoulder, or hem. Pretty soon, all-over glass beading on net created the “fabric” with elaborate Art Deco designs. These gowns are what you probably think of as flapper dresses and rightly so. Handmade in Paris, they were extremely expensive to own. Only the wealthiest of flappers could afford one.

The majority of ’20s formal dresses were made of layers of light pastel chiffon or heavy velvet in winter. Clusters of crystals and beads accented the layers. Gold or silver metal embroidery created the illusion of beadwork, especially in the later years.

Designers from Callot Soeurs loved using metal sequins (also called spangles) on their designs. When “gold sequin-like disks” were discovered on clothing in King Tuts Tomb in 1922, the sequin industry boomed. Metal bits all over a dress made them heavy, so they were only used sparingly.

S Formal Dresses

If metal sequins and thread were too expensive to purchase, a shiny taffeta dress homemade with large silk flowers acted as luxury bits for lower class party dresses.

Bare arms weren’t the only source of skin exposure. Evening gowns grew shorter into dance dresses, copied from sporty day dresses. Long gowns persisted in the winter months, but they, too, were not modest. The front round or square neckline remained high but the backs? Forget it. They plunged lower and lower, reaching the waist by the 1930s.

Needless to say, formal dresses did not need any bras or undergarments. Even stockings attempted to reveal as much skin as possible. Very sheer, nude colored tights were worn along with sheer pastel peach or apricot colors.

Evening Gown 1920s Hi Res Stock Photography And Images

Evening accessories were just as elaborate as the dresses. Beaded or metal mesh handbags, bejeweled cigarette holders, crystal headdresses and hair ornaments, and lavish shawls were all part of the party dress. In 1922, the evening turban and beaded skull caps became one of the few headwear items made especially for evening wear.

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