What did women actually wear in the 1920s?

Women wore drop-waist dresses that hung loosely without emphasizing the waistline, often embellished with beads, sequins, or fringe for dancing, paired with T-strap heels and cloche hats.

How do I make a quick DIY 1920s costume?

Wear a simple black dress, put a sparkly ribbon around your forehead with a feather tucked in, wear a long knotted pearl necklace, and apply dark red lipstick.

What is the male equivalent of a flapper costume?

The most popular male equivalents are a pinstripe gangster suit with a fedora, or a dapper Great Gatsby-style tuxedo, or a working-class newsboy look with suspenders and a flat cap.

AI-generated example

1920s Costumes

Bring the Roaring Twenties to life with classic jazz age style.

The 1920s is one of the most popular costume themes for parties and Halloween, celebrating the era of jazz, flappers, and gangsters. This look typically centers around either a fringed flapper dress with art deco accessories or a sharp, structured gangster suit. It is a highly recognizable aesthetic that combines vintage glamour with dramatic flair.

Difficulty: Easy
Time: ~30 min
Budget: $25–80

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40 1920s costume ideas

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What you need for a 1920s Costumes costume

Flapper dress or drop-waist dress
A sleeveless, knee-length dress featuring layers of fringe, sequins, or art deco beadwork.
DIY: Take a simple black shift dress and fabric-glue rows of black fringe trim around the skirt.
Amazon
Feather headband
An elastic or sequined band worn horizontally across the forehead, adorned with a tall feather or jewel.
DIY: Glue a faux feather and a vintage brooch onto a black elastic headband.
Amazon
Long pearl necklace
A strand of faux white pearls, at least 40 inches long, worn knotted in the middle.
DIY: Loop multiple shorter pearl necklaces together or wear a long beaded strand knotted at the chest.
Amazon
Pinstripe suit or vest
A classic double-breasted pinstripe suit jacket and matching trousers, or a dark vest over a white shirt.
DIY: Wear a white button-down shirt with dark trousers, black suspenders, and a dark necktie.
Amazon
Fedora or newsboy cap
A dark felt fedora with a wide band, or a wool newsboy cap for a working-class vintage look.
DIY: Use any dark, structured brimmed hat you already own.
Amazon
Prop cigarette holder or toy tommy gun
A long, slender black cigarette holder for a flapper, or a plastic vintage submachine gun for a gangster.
DIY: Paint a thin wooden dowel black with a white tip to mimic a vintage cigarette holder.
Amazon

How to put it together

1
Choose your style direction: either a glamorous flapper look or a sharp 1920s gangster/bootlegger aesthetic.
2
For the flapper look, put on the drop-waist or fringed dress, followed by sheer black tights or fishnets.
3
For the gangster look, wear a crisp white button-down shirt, pull on the pinstripe trousers, and secure your suspenders or vest.
4
Add the headwear: place the sequined headband horizontally across your forehead, or style your hair under a tilted fedora.
5
Layer on the accessories, including the knotted pearl necklace, a faux-fur stole, or a dark necktie.
6
Finish the ensemble by carrying your key prop, such as a long cigarette holder or a vintage pocket watch.

Makeup & hair

For a flapper, style hair in a faux bob or finger waves, paired with dark smokey eyeshadow, thin downward-sloping eyebrows, and deep plum or red lipstick. For a gangster, style hair slicked back with high-shine pomade.

1920s Costumes for couples, groups, kids & more

couples: Pair a glamorous fringed flapper with a sharp pinstripe-suited gangster or bootlegger.
group: Create a Great Gatsby party lineup with flappers, gangsters, jazz musicians, and a dapper host in a tuxedo.
kids: Dress kids in a miniature newsboy outfit with a flat cap and suspenders, or a simple fringed shift dress.
Plus size: A drop-waist dress with vertical sequin patterns or a well-tailored dark vest over a white button-down offers a comfortable, flattering historic fit.
pet: Put a small black bow tie and a miniature felt bowler hat on your dog's collar.

Tips

Wear comfortable T-strap heels or flat oxford shoes, as 1920s parties usually involve a lot of dancing.
If wearing a fringed dress, test it by spinning around to ensure the fringe is securely attached and doesn't shed.
Keep the color palette classic: black, gold, silver, and deep burgundy work best for a vintage jazz age feel.

1920s Costumes costume FAQ

What did women actually wear in the 1920s?: Women wore drop-waist dresses that hung loosely without emphasizing the waistline, often embellished with beads, sequins, or fringe for dancing, paired with T-strap heels and cloche hats.
How do I make a quick DIY 1920s costume?: Wear a simple black dress, put a sparkly ribbon around your forehead with a feather tucked in, wear a long knotted pearl necklace, and apply dark red lipstick.
What is the male equivalent of a flapper costume?: The most popular male equivalents are a pinstripe gangster suit with a fedora, or a dapper Great Gatsby-style tuxedo, or a working-class newsboy look with suspenders and a flat cap.

Did you know? The iconic 'flapper' dress was designed to be loose and comfortable specifically so women could freely dance the Charleston, a high-energy dance craze of the decade.