The Roaring '20s, the Jazz Age, the Progressive Era... whatever you call them, the 1920's were a time of great productivity and rapid change in America's history. The workweek was reduced by 12 hours, play became as important as work, wealth was rising, and the minds of the masses were becoming more liberal in countless ways.
People were speaking more freely, buying and drinking more, and blurring the lines between taboo and cliche. In the first half of the 1920's alone, dress hemlines moved from ankles all the way up to the knees. Women wore more makeup than ever before, and some even dared to apply it in public.
Some of the more rebellious women earned themselves a title -"flapper". With their newly chopped off hair, baggy dresses, and exposed arms and legs, flappers illustrate the ideology of an era. Some found them to be offensive and defying the traditions of acceptable behavior; others saw them simply as modern and the beginning of a new spirit in America. One thing is certain, no matter how you look at it, flappers are now the icon of the Jazz Age and a symbol of America's colorful past and future.
This artifact is a two-piece silk chiffon glass beaded flapper dress circa 1926-1927. It is an exquisite example of the Flapper style so popular in the 1920's. The over dress has a stylized floral design of colored beads outlined in black beads including one design using pink beads that is not repeated throughout the dress. The under dress has long sleeves with a tie gather and beadwork at the sleeves.
Beaded dresses of this quality are very hard to find in such fine condition, and we are extremely appreciative of Ms. Rene Donaldson for her generous gift.
Learn More: 1920's Flapper Dress 2000.04.0001A and 2000.04.0001B
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