Styles and Trends

Much like the 1990s, the 1920s had new styles of dress and music, as well as old styles that were revived. During this period, an artistic explosion occurred within the African-American community that produced a wealth of music and dance, among other things. Jazz, a result of the Harlem Renaissance, originated from the musical minds of African-Americans. The new music included traits from the traditional West African music and black folk music forms that were developed in the New World. Louis Armstrong dominated the musical landscape of the 1920s and in fact shaped much of the next decade’s musical language as well.  But most of the jazz during the Jazz Age was often just peppy dance music invented by young musicians and their favorite instrument out in the street.
Along with the music of the 1920s, there were, of course, new dances as well. Some of the new moves were the cakewalk, the bunny hug, the turkey trot, the Charleston, and the black bottom. Dances such as these had a peculiar way of spreading. They would start on the street corners, move to the local saloons and clubs, and then finally make it to all of the dance floors. The older generation didn’t exactly like these dances at first, however. They ridiculed the younger generation, saying the youths, "trot like foxes, limp like lame ducks, … all to the barbaric yawp of strange instruments …"
Clothes too were an innovation. New styles arose and made large impacts on society, though more for women than for men. Flappers first appeared in the 1920s. They wanted more social freedoms for the women of the time. They were a complete surprise to the older generation that had always known women to wear thick, unrevealing clothing, even in hot weather. These flappers wore short skirts, revealing their knees, sleeveless shirts, showing off their shoulders, and cut their hair short, for more comfort. Silhouettes, stylish black and white outfits, made a small comeback along with all the new styles. Originally appearing in the 1880s, these suits for men and women were found chic by some.

-Haig Altunian

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