1920's fashions for all ages

UndergoingMitosis · Apr 8, 2013

My WIP is actually fantasy, but I'm working from a 1920's in America template. I'd like to keep some things consistent, and fashion is one of them.

I'm wondering if anyone knows of any good resources for finding things like catalog pages or advertisements for clothes that ordinary people of all ages would have worn at various times during this decade? I'm looking for inspiration and I figured the Historical board would have a lot of people who have done research like this, and I'm just looking for a starting point.

Thanks guys!

benbenberi · Apr 8, 2013

I don't have any handy links, but I've seen plenty of catalog pages (e.g. Sears) & other ads from the 20s floating around online -- I think a Flickr search would probably turn up a bunch of what you need. Also the Livejournal community Vintage Ads.

BardSkye · Apr 8, 2013

http://www.costumes.org - dress in all historical periods.

Check the Resources by Era thread stickied at the top of the forum; you'll probably find lots there.

UndergoingMitosis · Apr 8, 2013

Thanks guys! I'll definitely look those places.

SpinningWheel · Apr 9, 2013

The retro sewing community is a good place to look. There's a collaborative blog called Wesewretro.com and you can search the posts by decade.
A lot of people sell vintage patterns and the images on the front of these will be just what you need.

flapperphilosopher · Apr 9, 2013

Fantasy based off the 1920s sounds super interesting!!

Dover has a book that's a fascmile of a 1920s mail order catalogue: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A19P9UG/?tag=absowrit-20 . It's amazing. Men, women, All ages, all occasions. Hats, shoes, accessories. Apparently on Amazon it's only $7.18 right now (but only one copy!). Should be just about perfect!

ETA: There's this one too, same thing, but if you want even more variety: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0486241343/?tag=absowrit-20

DianeL · Apr 9, 2013

If there is any use for understanding the construction of the garments - and if you have any interest in talking with those who've recreated them, SpinningWheel is dead-on, go to those who sew. You might find some contacts at American Duchess, one of my favorite blogs (goes well beyond the 20s but has a lot of dedicated and knowledgeable followers as well as amazing info of their own). It does sound like a fascinating setup/setting!

UndergoingMitosis · Apr 9, 2013

Wow, thanks! These look like some really great resources. wesewretro has me wanting to pick up a new craft! My apartment is already full of yarn, but I think I can find a little room for a sewing machine...

Really great stuff, thanks again!!!!

Flicka · Apr 10, 2013

Shelley has some scans of 1920s catalogues on her blog - like this, this and this. It's not very hard to find old photos either, but I'm linking you to one of my Pinterest boards that has (mostly) real women (not celebs) from the 1920s.

UndergoingMitosis · Apr 10, 2013

Flicka said:
Shelley has some scans of 1920s catalogues on her blog - like this, this and this. It's not very hard to find old photos either, but I'm linking you to one of my Pinterest boards that has (mostly) real women (not celebs) from the 1920s.

Love your pinterest board. I've seen a bunch of these floating around the internet before, but a bunch are new to me, too. Loving the overalls one! The girl on the left has the best expression.

Adelaide · Apr 17, 2013

Flicka said:
Shelley has some scans of 1920s catalogues on her blog - like this, this and this. It's not very hard to find old photos either, but I'm linking you to one of my Pinterest boards that has (mostly) real women (not celebs) from the 1920s.

Flicka, I also wanna thank you for the links and your Pinterest board!

flapperphilosopher · Apr 17, 2013

Flicka, I love your pinterest boards too!!

I have a few more interesting 1920s pics in my blog too... they're mostly women and not all everyday fashion, but they might be helpful/fun:

Women of the 1920s
Erotic stereographs of the 1920s (okay, not fashion at all really, but I love them)
Romantic postcards of the 1920s

colebooks · Jul 13, 2013

I would try maybe wikipedia, they have a lot of sub topics on the way women in particular dressed in those times.

1920's fashions for all ages

UndergoingMitosis

Waiting for interphase to start

benbenberi

practical experience, FTW

BardSkye

Barbershoppin' Harmony Whore

UndergoingMitosis

Waiting for interphase to start

SpinningWheel

flapperphilosopher

DianeL

UndergoingMitosis

Waiting for interphase to start

Flicka

Dull Old Person

UndergoingMitosis

Waiting for interphase to start

Adelaide

flapperphilosopher

colebooks

figuring it all out