Almost 100 Years Later, These Outfits Still Look Amazing

The way we see it, it’s no surprise that fashion from the 1920s is still so rich and inspiring nearly a century later. After all, there’s a reason the decade got that Roaring ’20s nickname. And even a small peek at the ladies who championed the aesthetics of the era will serve up outfit ideas in spades, be it from the classic flapper look that favored less figure-defining shapes (and shameless amounts of pearls) or gender-norm-defying icons like Marlene Dietrich.

What’s most fascinating about the era is how its fashion didn’t seem to fit one mold—women of the 1920s could pile on the extras or opt for minimalism. And like so many of us today, they could use style to express and celebrate their identities. Now that we're in 2020 and a full century from the 1920s, these looks and the values they imbued are just as relevant today as they were 100 years ago. Scroll down to revisit some of our favorite looks from the 1920s.

Clara Bow, 1920

1920s Fashion: Clara Bow

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You have a lot to learn, 2020 statement sleeves.

Louise Brooks, 1925

1920s Fashion: Louise Brooks

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More is more when patterns, ruffles, and bows come together in one ensemble.

Josephine Baker, 1925

1920s Fashion: Josephine Baker

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This icon made a silky robe and fuzzy details feel so much more than boudoir-ready, and well before It girls of today wore the pajama-dressing trend.

Desiree Lubovska, 1925

1920s Fashion: Desiree Lubovska

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Simple, straightened, and monochrome, this look is for the minimalists among us.

Bessie Love, 1925

1920s Fashion: Bessie Love

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The statement collar transforms the whole ensemble.

Marion Morehouse, 1926

1920s Fashion: Marion Morehouse

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Bring on the sequins in spades. But the pearls? Just one simple strand will do.

Greta Garbo, 1926

1920s Fashion: Greta Garbo

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There’s so much glamour in this effortless ensemble.

Joan Clement, 1926

1920s Fashion: Joan Clement

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Art Deco FTW.

Marjorie Willis, 1926

1920s Fashion: Marjorie Willis

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This unconventional silhouette and skirt layering is one we can picture on 2020’s most creative dressers.

Gloria Swanson, 1928

1920s Fashion: Gloria Swanson

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Just a reminder to step up your hat game.

Joan Crawford, 1929

1920s Fashion: Joan Crawford

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Don’t forget to pair your elegant tiers of ruffles with a wavy bob and a steely gaze.

Bettina Jones, 1929

1920s Fashion: Bettina Jones

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This silky design is so shiny that it’s practically liquid.

Norma Shearer, 1929

1920s Fashion: Norma Shearer

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What’s better than a one-shoulder design? One-shoulder dramatic draping.

Marlene Dietrich, 1929

1920s Fashion: Marlene Dietrich

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Who’s to say what’s menswear and what’s not? Not Dietrich.

Shop These 1920s-Inspired Pieces

This is us stepping up our hat game. 

More bows, more patterns, more fun. 

Sleepwear as partywear à la Josephine Baker. 

Shimmy in style in a '20's-esque fringe dress. 

Girls in the 1920s knew how to make a statement, and so does this dress. 

A full pleated skirt gets full approval. 

A drop waist is an easy way to channel the '20s look.

Opt for a dress in beautifully draped silk.

This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated

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