The Roaring 20's: The Age of Flappers

The Roaring Twenties: a time period widely known for it’s extravagant parties, jazz music, and of course flappers.  Flappers were women who pushed the envelope when it came to social norms for females at the time.  They quickly became an icon of the social scene of the 1920’s.  Wearing short and low cut dresses, they shocked the previously modest idea of what a woman should be wearing in public.  Adding to their reckless image, flappers were most often found in speakeasies, restaurants that illegally sold liquor (despite prohibition).   

Flappers were originally known as Gibson Girls, as they were created by graphic designer and photographer, Charles Dana Gibson.  Minnie Clark was the first model that Gibson used to portray his idea of the new and modern woman.  Together they created and developed the idea of a progressive woman who freely expressed herself through her lifestyle and fashion choices.  Although some were skeptical, support and enthusiasm grew for this exciting new image that would swiftly evolve into the flapper.

In a time of much change, women were seeking equality to men not only politically, but also socially.  On August 26, 1920, women officially won the right to vote.  This huge step in the women’s rights movement sparked a surge in women’s desire for equality in other aspects of life as well.  This included being able to go out, smoke, drink, and socialize just as men did.  Additionally, the mass casualties of World War I meant that many soldiers never came home to their wives.  This would have further encouraged recently widowed ladies to explore a new lifestyle. And thus, the 1920’s became the era of flappers.