7/30/2019 Flapper Dress

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/flapper-dress 1/2

The Era of FlapperFlapper constitutes the zeitgeist of the 1920s. The Jazz Age of the 1920s was aperiod of moral and spiritual corruption, materialism, and superficiality. (Chaptertwo of The Great Gatsby)Roaring twenties brought a passion for the Jazz Music, night clubbing and

dancing.A lot of parties (masked parties, savage parties, victorian parties, greek parties,wild west parties, circus parties… dull dances and comic dances)  The movies portrays this era through Gatsby’s weekly parties where his guests“paid him the subtle tribute of knowing nothing whatever about him” It presents vulgarity and spiritual emptiness.

The Flapper GirlYoung women in the 1920sWore short skirts

Bobbed their hairListened to JazzReckless behaviorWore excessive MakeupDrankHad casual sexSmokedDrove automobilesObsessed with dancing the charleston to the frenetic sounds of Bix BeiderbeckeDressed in roll-down stockings and T-bar shoes

In the movie, Daisy Buchanan and Jordan Baker represent typical flappersFlitting from party to partyEnjoying the “intimacy” of large parties Cheats in golf tournamentGossipingLying to people

As party girls, they often wore the typical Flapper Dress.The dresses paint a visual on the spirit of excess and thrill-seeking attitude,which characterized the Flapper Girls.More than just a style trend; it also depicts the brash flapper attitudes of DaisyBuchanan and Jordan Baker. 

The Flapper Dress

Features of the Flapper Dress:Silhouette is slender with a straight waist and a flat chest -> ideal flapper figure

7/30/2019 Flapper Dress

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/flapper-dress 2/2

Low-waisted dress with fullness at the hemline -> women can literally kick uptheir heels in new dances like the CharlestonHem of the skirts started to rise, but only rose above the knees in 1926. In theearly 1920s, dresses fell below the knees but moving enough to ensure theflappers are able to do the enthusiastic dance of the Jazz age

Arms and legs are showed -> sensualityOrnately beaded & fringed -> the fringe would shimmer and shake and drawattention to movementOften decorated with motifs influenced by the Art Deco Movement

Coco Chanel promoted the styles associated with flappersUsed neutral tones of beige, sand, cream, navy and black in soft fluid jerseyfabrics (Daisy is often linked to the colour white and alluded to gold)White fabric needs more starching and care during laundry so it is also a symbolof wealth to those who wore itSimple shapes that did not require corsetry or waist definition

Clothes made for comfort and ease

Flapper dress represents a radical change from victorian fashion. As a tale aboutthe hedonistic life of wealthy young people after the Great War, The GreatGatsby manages to incorporate the iconic Flapper Dress to further give aconvincing portrayal of the 1920s.The flapper dress’ association with parties and the ease of movement from thedress itself is a symbol of liberation for women. It is appropriate for the liberatedand brash attitude of Daisy Buchanan, who is often seen as the embodiment offlapper girl.