20s Costumes

Almost ninety years ago, American experienced a period of economic prosperity following World War I. A booming business and carefree attitude created the nickname for the era – the “Roaring Twenties”. Others also called the period the “Jazz Age” based on the favored musical style of the time. Wearing 20s costumes is a great way to feel a part of this important time in American history. However, all good things come to an end and the party came to an end with the crash of the stock market in 1929 which brought about the struggles of the Great Depression. Before you put on the Ritz and put together a few 20s costumes, you should understand a little more about theses ten years

During the Twenties, you could count on some new and exciting news when you picked up your paper from the newsboy. Aviator, Charles Lindenburg, flew solo across the Atlantic from New York to Paris, working televisions were created and sound tracks replace the becoming-antiquated silent films. The actors and actresses of the day were quite fewer than today, but held an unparalleled celebrity. Gather up a date and dress in 20s costumes based on the glamorous life of a movie star. Breathtaking 20s costumes are inspired by actresses such as Clara Bow, Glora Swanson, and Mary Pickford in their long gowns and pin curls. Debonair 20s costumes of dinner jackets and ascots are inspired by actors including Charlie Chaplain, Rudolph Valentino, even escape artist, Harry Houdini.

Despite the nightlife scene in the Twenties, alcohol was against the law; ironically, this period of prohibition encouraged covert liquor making and imbibing in secret clubs. Of course, this contraband activity created an increase in gangster activity by the mobsters who masterminded the whole operation. These gangsters are known their signature 20s costumes which typically featured a dark pin-striped suit, fedora hat and big gun. Gun molls are the sexy female counterpoints to the male gangster and there are several 20s costumes choices of this sexy sidekick.

Other women that made a mark on the era are the Flappers. Flappers were typically young, single woman who were thoroughly modern for the times.  Flapper 20s costumes were the “cat’s meow” for dancing the Charleston until the sun came up. These very recognizable 20s costumes are usually styled as a boxy, thin-strapped dress embellished with fringe and sequins. A feather headdress, elaborate boa and long cigarette holder are additional accouterments that elevate these 20s costumes.

Bootleg booze, Flappers’ 20s costumes and night life all go hand in hand, but we forgot to mention Jazz music – impetus for the decade’s other nickname!  One of the up and coming musicians from the Twenties was young Louis Armstrong – the famous puffed cheeked trumpeter who also had a distinctive gravely voice. Dressing up as a jazz musician or the band would hit a high-note as 20s costumes. There are also other cultural arts worthy of 20s costumes such as dressing as of Pablo Picasso who had just painted his “Cubist” masterpiece “The Seven Musicians”.

Donning a replica uniform of famous athletes makes fine 20s costumes for any fan of sports. The most beloved athlete of the decade was a baseball player named Babe Ruth, you might have heard of him! A nostalgic uniform with pin-stripes and old-fashioned mitt and cleats makes champion choice in 20s costumes. Sports-inspired women’s 20s costumes might be a long, white pleated tennis skirt and cardigan in the style of “The Great Gatsby”.

Reading this great American novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a fantastic way to get more ideas for 20s costumes emulating the upper crust. The plot is based on Nick Carraway, Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan who are blessed with a life of leisure; they all lounge around the perfectly manicure lawns of fictional New Egg, New York. Seersucker suits, straw hats, long flowing white dresses and vintage evening gowns are the perfect items for creating these literary based 20s costumes.