'20s Style Reveals Roaring Social Change
Published May 20, 2005 - Calgary Herald

Think Gatsby-esque glam: powerful, yet frivolous and free-spirited fashions. Extravagantly simple styles on long, boyish silhouettes and evening wear designed for wild dancing. The roaring decade's fashion was inspired by much more than just aesthetic appeal, and it's resurgence in today's fashions is a subtle and profound statement.

The '20s fashionista exuded sheer and utter power. She was through with the depression of the First World War and ready to party. Her femininity had been liberated, she finally had the power to vote, and automobiles and appliances created more time for light-heartedness. Revolution was thick-socially, politically, and economically.

Women had enough with the formalities of fashion and let loose. Literally. Nearly-shapeless silhouettes ruled out the restricting "S" shaped corsets of prior years, a style that symbolically and literally constrained. Now similar to men's fashion, women's clothes were functional and simple. In fact, women's attire was largely inspired by men's fashion. Women even went so far as to cut their hair in short bobs. The 'anything they can do...' attitude was abundant.

So, you're wondering what this revolution has to do with today? Here's my theory: Strong women are again displaying their power. This time, they aren't rebelling against society's views of femininity, but are embracing and celebrating the power of all things girly. We know (even if some men don't) that power is not synonymous with masculinity: CEOs can wear flowers and lace and ruffles without jeopardizing their business integrity; business owners aren't limited to masculine pinstriped suits in order to be taken seriously. (And fittingly, female politicians can make the same controversial decisions as male politicians.)

Perhaps it is because of this realization that we're seeing a distinct 1920s influence in modern clothing. 2005 has taken the same lines and styles of the '20s and girl'd them up. The loose fitting styles of the past are intermingled with elements of pure girl: lace, ribbons, beadwork, and soft and vibrant colors. Glamour is mixed with whimsy, and masculine is mixed with feminine. We're seeing a different twist on style, along with a different twist on the social message. It's no longer a fight to be equal to men, but a declaration of why we're not and why we're proud of that.

I thank, in part, strong women of the '20s like Gabrielle Chanel, who saw that women aren't just pretty, but functional too, and designed clothes that were both. And her clothes were a visual cue to the rest of the world. Chanel declared the relevance of fashion best: "Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening."

Fashion mirrors social situations, even from day to day - you wouldn't wear the same thing to a football game as you would your wedding, right? Today, one of the many concepts fashion is reflecting is that of women and how we perceive ourselves. I'm sure the flappers would be proud.