Ladies and Gents,
I was recently asked by a friend to help make them a 1920s costume for a one-time event. I agreed – this could be a fun challenge!
It’s not an era I know much about, so I threw myself headlong into research.
One of the notable things I found out is that skirts were not as short as I would have thought! Towards the beginning of the 20s they were quite long – midcalf or longer, sometimes – and only got shorter (though still below the knee usually) by the end of the decade.
The costume I made is not a reproduction. It is in the style of or inspired by and is intended to give the observer the impression of the 20s – but I make no claims to absolute accuracy!
Garment Data:
– Type: Dress, 1920s style, slightly flapper-esque and possibly less-fancy evening wear
– Date made: December 2013
– Pattern: None.
– Fabric/Materials: I used a dress found at Goodwill that had approximately the right shape, including a lace overlay, and went from there.
– Trim: Fringe, ribbon, feathers
– Time to finish: 2 days or so
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CNmiS5KHWiQ/Ur4hdkSR3tI/AAAAAAAAB2A/UQBLDHoJGKg/s400/1920sDress+002.JPG) |
The original, slightly mother-of-the-bride (or something) dress. Very poly. Has a lace overlay and ghastly puffed sleeves. |
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CqkJf4z1xfI/Ur4heNI0Q4I/AAAAAAAAB2E/W22hdqQM5PM/s400/1920sDress+003.JPG) |
So I took the sleeves off! This also gives it a more 20s line. |
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7f6x6LMgEI0/Ur4hh10tf3I/AAAAAAAAB2Q/yJuJ6beENkI/s400/1920sDress+004.JPG) |
Started to pin on some fringe I got. |
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KJJpQ0h4E1o/Ur4hjnZLYsI/AAAAAAAAB2g/klpI9bBJ4BQ/s400/1920sDress+006.JPG) |
Various trims and accessories draped on the dress prior to assembling it all. Note that the fringe is partly pinned. There is also a band of ribbon, some green trim (that I did not end up using) and a green hat. |
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KbNd_ksnSI4/Ur4hKqPFq0I/AAAAAAAAB1A/FoWHy84bgOI/s400/SwiftAnd1920sDress+006.JPG) |
I went for two rounds of trim. This is for two reasons: 1: From the pictures I looked at, trim, flounces, or lace was often layered in at least 2 or 3 tiers 2: That’s how much fringe I had! 🙂 |
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YdOjr17gcB8/Ur4hKpSxosI/AAAAAAAAB08/AETaxk_MDdE/s400/SwiftAnd1920sDress+007.JPG) |
Close up of the two-layer fringe. It is hand whipped onto the lace overlay, using the lace design as a guide to keep it level. |
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pPDLtsa8HhU/Ur4hKuv67RI/AAAAAAAAB04/cgmFc5BjGSw/s400/SwiftAnd1920sDress+004.JPG) |
Some other props/accessories I gathered. Layers of pearls were sometimes worn, feathers and plumes seemed to be popular, and all the fancy pictures have furs in them! |
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DX1KrWw4vc0/Ur4hMsIxXqI/AAAAAAAAB1c/NPTow6LJrY4/s400/SwiftAnd1920sDress+010.JPG) |
I’ve now added some trim right above the fringe. |
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6UK5bcSI8aM/Ur4hjOaiOZI/AAAAAAAAB2c/BNDfxXuvl9M/s400/1920sDress+005.JPG) |
I thought about adding a pleated sash, but decided it would be a) too heavy, b) too much for the dress as it now looks! |
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LrF6nd4GgN8/Ur4hOKK3ZSI/AAAAAAAAB1s/bNBeRHKduJw/s400/SwiftAnd1920sDress+012.JPG) |
Full outfit, including headband. |
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BzW2NKzr93w/Ur4hMply9aI/AAAAAAAAB1U/yWD9F87-K_k/s400/SwiftAnd1920sDress+009.JPG) |
Close up of the finished trim! |
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kTFGTLT-ZkQ/Ur4hNug_XfI/AAAAAAAAB1k/RSda3bamd30/s400/SwiftAnd1920sDress+011.JPG) |
Headband (early 20s, but too cool to pass up!) |
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-inHu3_a96Mw/Ur4hLsVMM8I/AAAAAAAAB1M/YFqSkNjbXws/s400/SwiftAnd1920sDress+008.JPG) |
Hat, for the cloche look, for the more “outside” look. |
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6iCWDzjV_Bo/Ur4hOtwNnjI/AAAAAAAAB1w/zRj6rLog0G0/s400/SwiftAnd1920sDress+013.JPG) |
Completed outfit, with hat and fur coat! Really the coat should be as long as the dress or longer, but this one is what I had! I’m pretty pleased with how it turned out. 🙂 |
And I just found out that there will be a 2nd opportunity for the dress to be worn! Hurrah!
Most sincerely yours,
~ Sarah