Flapper

The term "flapper", which became common slang in the 1920s, referred to a "new breed" of young women who wore short skirts, bobbed their hair and flaunted their disdain for what was then considered "decent" behavior. The typical flapper was unafraid to wear cosmetics or to be seen smoking or drinking alcoholic beverages in public.

Flapper dress

In addition to their irreverent behavior, flappers were known for their style, which largely emerged as a result of the musical style of jazz and the popularization of dancing that accompanied it. Called garçonne in French ("boy" with a feminine suffix), flapper style made them look young and boyish. The short "bob" haircut became popular, only to be replaced later by the shorter "Eaton" or "shingle" which slicked the hair and covered the ears with curls. Flappers did away with their corsets and pantaloons in favor of "step-in" panties. They also wrapped cloth across their breasts in order to flatten them. Flapper dresses were straight and loose, leaving the arms bare and dropping the waistline to the hips. Rayon stockings were worn over garter belts. Skirts rose to just below the knee by 1927, allowing flashes of knee to be seen when a flapper danced or walked through a breeze. A round hat called a cloche usually finished the look. Perhaps most scandalously, flappers also took to wearing make-up, previously restricted to actresses and prostitutes. Popular flapper make-up styles made the skin pale, the lips red, and the eyes black-ringed. All of this only encouraged the development of shocking dance styles such as the Charleston, the Shimmy, the Bunny Hug and the Black Bottom.

Related Topics:
French - Bob - Corsets - Pantaloons - Panties - Rayon - Stockings - Garter belts - Skirts - 1927 - Hat - Cloche - Actresses - Prostitutes - Charleston - Shimmy - Bunny Hug - Black Bottom

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Despite all the scandal flappers generated, their look became fashionable in a toned-down form among even "respectable" women. Most significantly, the flappers removed the corset from female fashion and popularized short hair for women. Among the actresses most closely identified with the style were Clara Bow, Louise Brooks, and Colleen Moore, as well as cartoon characters such as Betty Boop and Minnie Mouse.

Related Topics:
Scandal - Corset - Clara Bow - Louise Brooks - Colleen Moore - Betty Boop - Minnie Mouse

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