A century later, flapper fashion swings back to the dance floor

It was a time of economic prosperity and change, marked by cultural movements such as Art Deco and Bauhaus, as well as pulsating jazz and wild parties. Despite political challenges, the 1920s are remembered as the Roaring Twenties. They also symbolize a new generation of women who defied social norms and celebrated their independence. This was epitomized by their distinctive fashion: the flapper style. Now, a century later, fashion houses are reviving and reinterpreting these characteristic outfits with sweeping fringes for the summer season of 2024, blending historical flair with modern lifestyle trends.

Modern Flapper: This is what the look will be in 2024

During the fashion weeks for spring/summer 2024, one trend stood out in particular: fringes, sometimes embroidered with pearls or sequins, adorned dresses, skirts, and tops, moving with verve down the catwalks. These styles offer perfect looks for an evening on the dance floor, reminiscent of the flapper style of the 1920s. But where did it get its name? The flapper movement developed from the emancipation of women who challenged traditional social norms and discovered their new freedom.

There are various theories about the term itself. For example, it could come from the comparison with young birds that flap their wings before taking to the skies, known as flappers, or from the fluttering of dresses, which became shorter and airier in the 1920s and often had decorative fringes. In these outfits, the flapper girls went to pulsating jazz clubs, where they danced the Charleston with abandon—something that was rather unusual for women up until then.

They celebrated their new independence because, in many countries, women were given the right to vote and allowed to play a greater role in public life. Their fashion changed along with this new lifestyle, becoming less restrictive and more revealing. Skirts and haircuts became shorter, and fringes became a symbol of their newfound freedom.

This attitude towards life has been embraced by fashion houses for the current summer season of 2024. In addition to typical 1920s haircuts, such as the pixie cut and the water wave, pearl accessories and Mary Janes also made appearances on the catwalks, the latter being considered the perfect dancing shoe during the Roaring Twenties. So, if you want to fully embrace the flapper style, you can now find the right pieces for it. The most striking elements were the newly interpreted fringe looks, as seen at Prada and Gucci: sparkling fringes paired with casual tank tops, and fringe belts decorated with metallic rivets combined with rugged outdoor jackets. This clever twist on a style that stands for emancipation is breaking with fashion conventions once again this summer.

It’s up to you whether you wear the new fringed pieces to the next party or go about your day with a dash of movement. It doesn’t necessarily have to contrast with sporty or masculine designs. Labels like Akris and Jil Sander have shown how elegant, feminine, and classic this fashion trend can look: loose-fitting, long dresses decorated with fringes that bring dynamism to the look, whether in a metallic version or understated cream tones. One hundred years after the creation of the flapper style, the fashionable dance continues in style this summer. All that’s missing is the right playlist.