1920s Halloween Flapper Costumes

A Flapper dress always leaves the arms bare and the hemline high.

She just got the right to vote, a job outside the home, a cigarette habit and a shorter dress and hairdo. She's a Flapper -- one of many free-spirited young dames from the late, roaring 1920s, when women were gaining rights and respect and breaking social taboos such as drinking, dancing and carousing through speakeasies. Hollywood immortalized the Flapper costume, which remains a hot costume choice. Actress Eva Longoria gave her posh, star-studded 36th birthday party a Roaring Twenties theme, and her famous friends showed up donning Flapper costumes. The '20's Flapper dress leaves the arms bare and the hemline daring. A feather boa, high heels, a snappy headband and silk stockings adds to the feel of the liberating era.

The Dress

The dress is the most important feature of the Flapper costume.

Costume shops almost routinely stock Flapper outfits for Halloween, that come complete with cigarette holder and feather boa. But you can take the thrift store route by selecting a one-color, plain, sleeveless, no-frills dress that at least rises above your knee. The original Flappers opted for neutral colors, but these days a Flapper dress can range from bright pink to jet black. Sew on your own sequins, beads, fringe or art-shop-sold rhinestones to add your own sparkle. The classic Flapper dress gave the body a straight up and down, flat look. To help with this flat look, Flappers would wear corsets, bras and tight undergarments. Flappers' dresses were not always ultra-revealing, but the hemlines rose in 1927.

Hair

A Flapper's hairdo is simple, short and flat.

Flappers favored short bob hairdos and wore their hair flat and close to the skull. In 1926, it was an act of rebellion for women to cut off their hair and wear it just below the chin. But you don't have to go under the shears to make your Flapper costume work. Take bobby pins or plastic banana clips and hike up those long locks. A lacy hairband can also keep your hair relatively under control as you tear up the dance floor. Flapper costumes should include some type of headband, sporting a fabric flower or feather, or even just a beaded ribbon. Also, some women prefer to shop for a short wig.

Makeup

Flappers were women who dared to wear makeup.

In the 1920's, Flappers chose the revolutionary act of wearing lipstick, rouge and other makeup. Powder was common. Get dolled up with some ruby red lipstick and let those cheekbones out for the evening. But go easy on the eye shadow. Focus on the cheeks, lips and eyelashes. When it came to makeup, Flappers enjoyed putting on a face, but they did not go very dark with the eyes or lips. You can also choose to veer from the history lesson and let your inner showgirl out for the evening. Just avoid shimmering makeup or a Goth look.

Accessories

The cigarette holder is only one of many Flapper accessories.

A feather boa in the same color as your dress will help announce to the world that you are a Flapper. So will high heels, white stockings and a long cigarette holder. But Flapper accessories can also include a long strand of beads or pearls to swing in time with the music and headbands holding a single feather. Tuck a hip flask into a garter. Keep the accessories to a minimum or at least low-key. Flappers don't like to be weighed down with accessories. Less is definitely more and simplicity in this category will give your dress more attention. As for shoes, a pair of Mary Jane types will do if you are not a fan of heels. And act the part: Chat up party-goers about how the stock market is riding high. Dance the Charleston. Complain about Prohibition. Rave about Josephine Baker.

References

• Roaring Twenties.com
• Halloween Costumes. com
• Flapper Costumes.com
• AzCentral.com; "Kim Kardashian Goes Flapper at Eva Longoria's B-day Part;"; March 14, 2011
• The Ranger.org; "For Women, Fashion and Rebellion Coincide"; Alma Linda Manzanares; March 13, 2011
• Excellent Makeup.Com; "1920s Flapper Girl Make-Up for Special Occasions"; 2009