There are key eras of the 20th Century whose fashions we look back on and romanticise, the Roaring Twenties is undeniably one of them. The social changes and restrictions of the era gave birth to a new type of woman, the flapper, and the fashions she wore. As we look forwards to 2012′s fashion we’re increasingly seeing the case for a revival of 1920s fashion or at least elements of it.

Read on to find out what a revival of the era’s fashion would entail, along with a description of the styles that were popular last time the 20s were popular. And don’t forget that to subscribe to Fashionising.com’s newsletter or RSS feed if you’d like to keep up to date with all of the latest fashion trends and inspiration on how to wear them.

20s fashion revival?

Flapper dresses

Jazz age sports

A revival for 20s fashion

As you’ll see in our points on flapper dresses below, the 1920s fashion revival of 2007 and 2008 was short lived. The fault for that, however, lay with the over production of its styles by fast fashion stores. However, fashion is again at a point where a perfect alignment of so many of society’s interests might just see a revival of the 20′s fashions. Consider these points:

There’s another cinematic interpretation of The Great Gatsby novel being produced.
Boardwalk Empire ranks as one of the most popular television shows with Downtown Abbey equally as popular in some countries.
70s fashion is experiencing a full blown revival, and there are many similarities between 1970s fashion and 1920s fashion. So similar are they, in fact, that the last Great Gatsby film was produced in the middle of the 70s.

These are three things that may see a return of 1920s fashion in 2012 and 2013. They aren’t, however, the only things and you can find a much more thorough discussion about return of 20s fashion by following that link.

But all this begs the question as to what guise 1920s fashion can return to prominence in 2012 and 2013? With so many Twenties styles having been so recently reinterpreted, what’s styles are there that can feel both fresh and on trend?

1920s noir

Tending towards the flapper in its femininity though with styling that offers up a far darker and more of mysterious edge, elements of film noir and its origins are one possible interpretation of 2012′s 1920s fashion revival. Follow the link to our Film Noir and fashion article to see how the style is shaping up.

1920s undercut hairstyle

The revival of 20s fashion is one for both men and women, yet the cuts of clothing associated with 20s menswear are no longer modern enough for most guys. That’s why of all the fashions seen in the likes of Boardwalk Empire, it’s the 20s / 30s slicked back undercut that has had the most impact. Follow the link to find out the options, how to have it cut and how to style it.

1920s fashion: flapper dresses

The most recent first full blown revival of 1920s fashion saw flapper dresses become one of the defining women’s clothing trends of 2008. The revival of flapper fashion began a year earlier, however, when then-trend setter Kate Moss was spotted at the Glastonbury music festival wearing a bolero that had all the hallmarks of the flapper girl. Suddenly, we all wanted a piece of Roaring 20s cool and, while the fashion industry had long been experimenting with fashion revivals, the fast fashion industry was quick to cater. As were the luxury fashion houses. So everywhere you looked flapper dresses and flapper-influenced pieces could be seen.

flapper dresses

Each of them offered up the loose-fitting dresses with embellishments such fringing and beading that the 1920′s fashion is romanticised for. But it couldn’t last as a trend. Too many fast fashion retailers and fashion houses were producing flapper dresses, and it wasn’t always easy to tell them apart. So it was that a fashion that had originally lasted for most of the 1920s lasted little more than a year in the 2000s. Which is why the piece we reference above about a 20s fashion revival highlights the fact that another 1920s fashion comeback might not see a full blown return of the flapper dress but a return of its elements and details instead.

Flapper dress styling inspiration

Drew Barrymore goes flapper in Alberta Ferretti (17 Apr 2009)

1920s fashion: vintage sports

Though the Roaring Twenties is often thought of alongside parties, dancing and glamour, the sporty aspect was not forgotten when 1920s fashion return to the fore in 2008. With Coco Chanel originally popularising tanned skin, the 1920s flapper girl was fit, healthy and sporty. In many ways, The Great Gatsby‘s Jordan Baker epitomised this Jazz Age fashion trend – if you haven’t read the book or seen the film imagine golfing girls with golden skin and long shorts, or 1920s style tennis-chic.

1920s sports fashion

1920s fashion elements and influences

If you’re looking at including elements of the Roaring 20s in your own perfect wardrobe then these are the names and the details you should be keeping in mind.

The icons and influencers of 1920s fashion and the Jazz Age in general: