The Roaring 20s and the NEW WOMAN

Many girls adopted the flapper image which consisted of shorter hair, no corsets, and skirts above the knees. Flapper girls drank openly, played golf, and danced.

Mobility changed dating rituals profoundly. Girls were no longer under the supervision of their parents.

Due to the war, women took on new roles in factories in order to keep the economy going at home.

More women were attending college and women finally gained the right to vote.

Becoming the New

Woman…

The Flapper GirlFlapper girls had flat chests

and wore shorter than average dresses. They were extremely flirtatious and danced the night away. Flapper girls

smoked and drank openly.

Flapper girls engaged in golf.

New Fashio

nsWomen began to reveal more skin as they wore their stylish bathing suits. It’s funny to think that this much coverage was scandalous in the 1920s!

In the early twenties, the new fashion was almost boyish as women wore corsets to hide their breasts and flatten their hips. Hemlines were just above the ankle and the waists were relaxed.

As the twenties progressed, hemlines rose higher and waist lines dropped to mid-hip.

The Bob and Make-up

Bold red lips and a powdered face were characteristic of the 1920s woman. It was considered fashionable to apply make-up from an engraved compact in the sight of those at a restaurant or nightclub.

The Bob was the most fashionable hair cut of the 1920s. Wearing a cloche hat was a sign that you had short hair. Cloche hats were also good for posture because they hung over the eyes causing the woman to hold her head at an angle in order to see.

Dancing

New dance styles such as the Charleston emerged during the 1920s and became one of the most popular dances.

Marathon dancing became the new craze for young couples as girls sought to beat the record of Alma Cummings.

Votin

gWomen finally gained the right to

vote in 1920.

Women voters exercising their right to vote after the passing of the 19th amendment.

Suffragettes picketed in order to have their voice heard about their desire for the right to vote.

Women in the work force

One of the typical jobs considered “women’s work” was that of a typist.

Rosie the Riveter became the image of the strong woman.

Many women were forced into the work force to fulfill the roles of the men who were away at war.

College

Education became more accessible for women. In 1928, 39% of college degrees were given to women.

Women became more involved in organized athletics especially at colleges and universities.

Dating

The automobile changed dating because couples could now escape the scrutiny of

their parents.

Kissing became a common part of dating. Typically, guys weren’t supposed to kiss girls unless they intended to marry them.

Margaret Sanger was an advocate for birth control which became widely used during the 1920s as women began to explore their sexuality.

The Model Woman:

Miss AmericaMargaret Gorman was the first to be crowned Mrs. America. She became the model women.