1920s Men’s Fashion

1920s Men’s Fashion soon emerged from World War I adorned in attire that showed individualism rather than military rigidity, from elegant shirts to eye-catching ties – accessories added a unique edge to this period’s polished appearance.

White Pants

Young men pants made of cotton, wool and blend fabrics like denim. Contrary to earlier styles, these trousers featured wider and looser legs for maximum comfort, straight or cuffed legs with button suspenders or braces to hold them up, patterns like stripes, checks herringbone plaid. It was an era of fashion innovation; casual trousers became suiting fabrics reflecting social change, while formal suiting fabrics reflected it all!

Tailored suits and tuxedos emerged during this decade, along with sportswear-influenced attire such as jumpers, jodhpurs or knickerbockers influenced by sportswear. African-American men favoured these attires along with silk shirts, handkerchiefs and hats to complete their look; additionally, they would wear fedoras, two-tone shoes and spats that enhanced their style even further.

Jeanne Lanvin often preferred dresses that epitomized simplicity, such as the tubular “la Garonne” style popular during this decade, in stark contrast with shapeless flapper dresses, which epitomized rural simplicity transitioning to urban complexity. These feminine styles emphasized waistlines for hourglass silhouettes made of linen or wool fabric for cooler climates.

Sleeve Cuffs and Armbands

White pants were an iconic fashion choice during the 1920s, worn by men of all classes and professions alike.

As the decade drew to an end, wide-leg dress pants became increasingly fashionable among men’s casual styles. Younger men often preferred “Oxford bags”, which featured slim-waist trousers with wider leg widths. In comparison, older men gravitated toward knickerbockers (sometimes known as plus fours), which narrowed at ankle level before broadening into comfortable calf length below the knee.

Silk scarves were another popular neck accessory of this lively period, providing a splash of colour to match up with the vibrant shirts of this period.

A striped elastic suspender or thin leather belt provided pants with a way of staying up; collar pins and cufflinks kept soft shirt collars neatly down in place.

Suits

Suits were an integral component of men’s fashion in the 1920s. Crafted with precision for an immaculate finish, they came either single- or double-breasted. Furthermore, suits had wider lapels with higher button stances; waistcoats or vests usually featured four to five buttons with deep points and notched lapels but were not as significant a style statement as jackets.

Summer was the time for lighter wool flannel suit fabrics, while cotton suits became an innovative new way for working men to dress themselves at home and easily wash in their bathtubs. With the 1920s came the introduction of “jazz suits,” slim silhouetted suits designed with high buttons and wide lapels intended to give an hourglass silhouette.

Accessories are integral in creating a polished appearance, and fedoras were popular among both stylish gentlemen and gangsters. Leather gloves were an essential addition, adding character to an ensemble while providing warmth during cooler weather. Bow ties became part of both formal and casual ensembles, while striped shirts became fashionable items.

Men can purchase vintage 1920s suits at vintage or thrift stores as well as online speciality retailers. In addition, new suits with vintage-inspired styles – similar to what Nucky Thompson from Boardwalk Empire wears – may also be found.

Shirts

As society evolved during the Roaring 20s, men’s fashion did as well. Dress shirts gained an ever-greater range of colours as society evolved; early 1920s dress shirts often favoured blue, burgundy or yellow vertical stripes on white backgrounds, while later models featured plaid prints and other patterns. Collars came in various forms, including free and pointed points as well as wing collars; bow ties were narrower than in previous decades and could be accessorized with cufflinks and silk scarves.

Casual shirts offered an array of colours ranging from vibrant reds to soothing greens and light browns, with soft collared and short-sleeved polo shirts especially favoured for leisure activities like golf and tennis. Knickerbockers were another form of comfortable attire worn for relaxing or sporting events alike.

By the mid-1920s, a noticeable trend toward softening shirt collars had emerged. No longer stiff and starched, collars became looser and attached via bars or pins, offering more styles ranging from pointed, rounded and even wing styles for personal expression.

At the height of Hollywood, iconic male stars such as Rudolph Valentino and Douglas Fairbanks helped set fashion trends that had an enormous influence on American men’s style. These trends included formal linen, tweed, and wool suits accented with colourful ties, bow ties, and pocket squares that displayed their dapper sophistication.

FAQS

1. What were popular pants styles for men in the 1920s?

Men in the 1920s often wore white cotton or wool pants with wider, looser legs for comfort. Styles included Oxford bags, knickerbockers, and pants with suspenders or braces.

2. How did men’s suits evolve in the 1920s?

Suits in the 1920s featured wider lapels, high-buttoned jackets, and waistcoats with four to five buttons. The “jazz suit” introduced a slim silhouette with high buttons and wide lapels.

3. What accessories were essential in 1920s men’s fashion?

Fedoras, leather gloves, bow ties, silk scarves, and collar pins were key accessories that completed the polished look of 1920s men’s fashion.

4. How did shirts change in the 1920s?

Shirts in the 1920s featured vibrant patterns like stripes and plaids, with softer collars and options like wing collars and bow ties for more personalized style.

5. What kind of shoes were popular for men in the 1920s?

Men often wore two-tone shoes, such as oxford or wingtip styles, with spats adding a touch of sophistication to their ensembles.

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