The happy days had returned. The devastating First World War was now over and everyone was keen to move ahead and put the bad times behind them. Although Wall Street was still in recovery mode, inventors were at an all-time high, businesses were thriving and thanks to the Broadway blast, the world had been enamored by the Celebrity culture. Those were the good ol’ days where being classy was a virtue, and when Jazz wasn’t merely a musical genre, it was a lifestyle. Of course a lot has changed, since the roaring 20s. However, the impact of men’s Fashion from the golden era of the fashion remains unparalleled till date.
It is a little known fact that the seeds of the most prestigious brand, which the world knows as Gucci, was sowed in the 1920S. To top that, few people are aware that most of the formal wear in use today is completely inspired and influenced from this majestic era. Today, what makes a man’s Suit stand out is the class and cut given to it, just like it was back in the day when Al Capone was busy etching his name in the annals of criminal history.
Rampant industrial progress and growth meant the local suit couturier soon went out of business. The rise of Fashion chains led to the blurring of the lines between big and small cities. Gone were the days when men wore suspenders, removable high collars, buttoned cuffs and three piece suits. Comfortable, jazzy and shorter suits with simpler designs were preferred. Although suits continued as the staple clothing for men of this era, long jackets were restricted to just the formal events. A revolutionary change was made to the trousers of this era. The front crease was added to highlight a man’s shape and figure. Substantial economic growth and the end of the grim war meant it was time to experiment with luxury and practical wear. Also, designers played around with the fabric, which prior to this decade was considered nothing less than a luxury.
Unlike today, where people wear anything and everything in a bid to standout and hoping to kick start new trends, the roaring 20s were considerably different. Men almost always wore suits every day. That’s right! Be it an informal meeting or a day at the movies, Suits were an absolute must. Leaving the house sans a hat was unheard off. However, a semi-formal event or even a gathering called for men to don the tuxedo. A dinner date or a night at the broadways was actually the perfect setting to put on this trendy garment. It consisted of an immaculately cut suit, a well fitted black or white vest, coupled with a black tie. Similarly, the crème de la crème of society opted for “Swallowtails” for more formal events like balls, ceremonies and weddings. This ensemble consisted of a black or dark blue wool suit with panels on the back and a waist length vest. Removable buttons and a white bow completed this look.
Today, the fashion world buzzes with trends that change faster than the blink of an eye. Change seems to be the only constant.However, the fashion of the 20s has successfully stood the tides of time all thanks to its originality, timelessness and evergreen class. Which we all know is, permanent!
