Sandra Kagan-Angell

 The Fashion Revolution A Five Part Series Fashion has been and will always reflect the times we live in both ecomonic and social. Over the decades dress has been an expression of and what is going on in the culture politically, socially and economically.  That influence is very evident in the way culture was reacting to each decade. In the 1920s a tremendous social change occurred, and dressing was at the forefront. Women bobbed their hair, skirts got shorter and what was called the jazz age had begone. Designers from across the Atlantic such as Coco Chanel and Jean Patou made sportswear fashionable as well as functional borrowing the look of men’s clothing. Coco Chanel is still considered a woman’s best friend and her designs have weathered the test of time. The little black dress is still one of the most popular fashion statements today. Designs using jersey knit, complimented by her jewelry designs were launched in the 1920s and quickly became the mode of the day. Jeanne Lanvin also made a strong stamp on what women wore. He used elaborate decorations and embroideries. These fashion statements were not limited to just women's evening wear.  His designs included lingerie, sportswear and men's fashion. These two designers made statements of originality in fashion. Movies and books played a big part of the fashion revelation. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby published in 1925 wrote of the explosion of frivolity and a certain amount of wild behavior in entertainment and nightlife.  Men's fashion opted for a more a relaxed design. The look put an emphasis on a more relaxed feel of the changing culture. Men started wearing suit jackets that were short.  Pants, sweaters and tuxedos were short and trendy.  Fashion designers in the 1920s knew how to oblige. And oblige they did. One could say this was the real beginning of a fashion industry that would encompass the world for decades to come. Next Week: Fashions of the 1930s. Published: Skyline Newspapers, Chicago, IL