The Jazz Age

The 1920s in America were times of great change. Coming out of the horror of the First World War, society exploded in a million different directions. The Twenties saw women voting, the Harlem Renaissance, prohibition, and an incredible burst of affluence for the middle class. Automobiles and electric appliances made people's lives easier and gave them more leisure time. The incredible, rapid social changes that struck the country are clearly illustrated by women's fashions of the decade.

Another very obvious fashion feature of this time period was "bobbed" hair. It was first introduced in America during and just after World War I and popularized by society dancer Irene Castle. In 1914 she stunned impressed fashionable New York by appearing in a show with bobbed hair. She had acquired it on a European tour where she'd seen fashionable Parisians wearing it. The impact of bobbed hair and all it was felt to represent was enormous. The popular media of the time is filled with jokes, stories, cartoons, songs, theatrical skits, newspaper articles, and short movies, about bobbed hair. For many in the late 20th and early 21st century, the late 1920s actress Louise Brooks is felt to epitomize the look (although it had been in the popular consciousness for almost a decade before she became known). Complementing bobbed hair was the cloche hat. The outfit on the left that is being worn by Louise Brooks is a marvelous example of late 1920s casual wear (assuming you are wealthy, beautiful, and have good taste). The fabrics used were silk, cotton, linen, and wool in varying combinations. The twenties were also the dawn of the first man-made materials, rayon most notably. Knit fabrics were also used for outer wear- previous to WWI they were almost exclusively used for underwear. The soft drape of jersey was well suited to the fashions of the twenties. The colors ranged tremendously from bright greens, reds and blues, to subdued pastels. On the whole, the colors and prints used were assertive.

Jazz Age Costume Project

In order to complete this project, it might require some research on different fashion styles of the twenties. I have provided a few examples for you.

1. Wear a costume for your chosen character and how you think they would have dressed. On the assigned due date, please model the costume for the class. REMEMBER the costume must be acceptable attire for school. 2. As you model your costume you must recite one quote that your character makes in the novel. This quote must identify with the character’s personality. 3. You must also describe who you are and your role in the novel. This needs to be at least one paragraph. You must speak as if you are the character. (use “I” and “me”) Rubric:

25 Costume design and how it relates to the time period

25 Appropriate quote for the character

30 One paragraph spoken in character. It needs to entails all appropriate information surrounding the character’s role in the novel.

10 Overall execution of the character

10 Creativity

DUE ON: Feb. 20 th