The 1920s were a period of significant change and revolution in fashion. The decade saw the rise of the flapper, a young woman who embraced a more androgynous look with shorter hemlines and looser silhouettes. This style was characterized by dropped waistlines, straight lines, and a rejection of the restrictive corsetry of previous eras. However, the fashion landscape of the 1920s was far more diverse than just the flapper look.
Jeanne Lanvin, a prominent designer of the time, offered a stark contrast to the androgynous flapper style. Lanvin’s creations featured long, full skirts, often incorporating panniers, reminiscent of historical styles. These dresses emphasized femininity and romance.
Lanvin’s designs frequently incorporated pastel colors and delicate details. She often accessorized her dresses with wide-brimmed hats, a departure from the close-fitting cloche hats that were also popular during the decade. These elegant ensembles provided an alternative to the more streamlined flapper aesthetic.
While Lanvin’s designs were distinct from the shapeless silhouettes favored by flappers, some designers managed to blend elements of both styles, creating garments that retained a feminine touch while incorporating the modern sensibilities of the era.
The 1920s also witnessed the rise of sportswear as daywear for women. While sportswear had long been acceptable casual attire for men, it gained widespread acceptance among women during this decade. This shift is often attributed to the influence of Coco Chanel, although designers like Jane Regny and Jean Patou also contributed significantly to the trend.
Sportswear designs often drew inspiration from popular sports like tennis. Jean Patou’s yellow skirt and sweater set exemplifies the influence of tennis attire on mainstream fashion.
Tennis, being a particularly popular sport for women at the time, provided significant inspiration for fashion trends. Tennis star Suzanne Lenglen, known for her short-sleeved, pleated tennis dresses and bandeau headbands designed by Jean Patou, became a style icon.
Lenglen’s influence extended beyond the tennis court, as her fashion choices were emulated by women both on and off the court. Her signature style helped popularize sleeveless, knee-length, shift-like tennis dresses.
The growing acceptance of sportswear was so profound that by the late 1920s, it became acceptable attire for lunch at fashionable restaurants and even for occasions leading up to cocktail hour, blurring the lines between casual and formal wear.
