Roaring Twenties Male Fashions
From LoveToKnow Men's Fashion
During the Roaring Twenties, male fashions experienced an intriguing shift in style. The decade was wrought with excitement, stemming from stunning economic growth and the birth of celebrity culture. The parallels between "reel" and real life were impossible to ignore, as men's designers embraced Hollywood-influenced styles in particular.
Remarkable Roaring Twenties Male Fashions
It's interesting to note the reasons why men were so quick to embrace new, fashion-forward styles. After all, it wasn't long before that they were wearing Edwardian- and Victorian-style clothing with aplomb; those garments were distinctly more staid and polished. Upon returning home from serving during World War I, however, The 1920s, in contrast, were sharp and even ostentatious at times. The stuffiness and "by the book" approach no longer applied, and fashion instead became more about the individual himself. Despite this, it was still dictated by select trends that ruled the decade.
At the same time, it is also important to recognize that attention to formality was not abandoned altogether. There was simply a new approach to fancy dress, and it's often said that men somewhat unenthusiastically donned dapper black tie attire for formal occasions. Younger men took to wearing summery shirts with soft collars in lieu of the standard stiff version, a habit that was frowned upon by some. It signaled a growing interest in informality. Still, when necessary, men did dress in black, double-breasted dinner jackets (previously considered extremely informal and even offensive) and matching ties. The dashing tailcoats took a backseat and were saved for extremely fancy occasions, such as balls or operas.
Despite the fact that men's fashion did not undergo the drastic visible changes that women's attire did during the '20s, it's safe to say that the era did make its mark nonetheless. This so-called golden age in history conjures images of classy, dapper, smart gentleman for a reason! The clothes they wore helped them stand out for miles. Again, the changes were not drastic in and of themselves – they certainly could not compare with the outlandish flapper dresses that women sported – but they were certainly easy to distinguish from previous years' styles.
Noteworthy Changes
Sportswear
During the Roaring Twenties, male fashions were marked by creativity and variety. Men were no longer relegated to wearing suits day in and day out; instead, sportswear became an integral part of regular wardrobes. Quite literally, these were clothes worn by athletes that grew in popularity and unexpectedly transitioned to the layman's wardrobe. Examples include the iconic Fair Isle sweater, popularized by the Duke of Windsor and golfers alike, and the white V-neck sweater and trousers worn by tennis players like Bill Tilden. The latter two items were even worn on nights out on the town.
1920s Men's Trousers
The shape of trousers also changed during this period. While formal pants were previously slimmer and more streamlined, the new cut was baggier. This style, known as the Oxford Bag, originated at Oxford University. This wide legged look grew increasingly popular throughout the decade. Later in the '20s, the pants developed cuffs and a crease in the front, which created an even more polished look, especially when worn with a smart jacket.
1920s Men's Hats
Though hats had always been commonplace in men's wardrobes, the '20s saw the adoption of various styles designed to suit different seasons. The felt fedora, for example, kept gentlemen warm during the brisk chill of winter, while straw hats protected them from the sun during summer. Also noteworthy – and especially relevant because of its significance to the growth of the fashion industry in general – was the attention that designers began to pay to men's clothing. Since the economy was booming, it was only fitting that designers delivered the goods that made it possible for men to shop for luxury attire. The offerings grew exponentially throughout the decade.
Catalog Shopping in the '20s
Another change that had a major impact on the men's fashion industry was the introduction of catalog shopping. Made popular by the famous Sears, Roebuck and Co., the catalogs were rife with everything from dress shirts (usually priced between $2-3!) and shoes to vests and suits (often under $10).
The enthusiasm for fashion felt during the '20s did not last for long, though. The economic downturn that occurred as a result of the 1929 stock market crash did not do the industry any favors. Money was scarce, and fashion simply took a backseat to more pressing concerns during the next several years. Despite this, one thing is certain: The '20s were definitely a defining part of men's fashion history.
Learn More
This page has been accessed 1,008 times. This page was last modified 14:48, 7 July 2009.
© 2006-2009 LoveToKnow Corp.
Print this page
Follow ltk on twitter
Visit us on facebook