1920’s inspired, fur coat, fashion over 40, Fab 40’s, Shelbee on the Edge

The Fab 40’s Meet the Roaring 20’s

January 27, 2020 / 48 Comments
1920’s inspired, fur coat, fashion over 40, Fab 40’s, Shelbee on the Edge
1920’s inspired, fur coat, fashion over 40, Fab 40’s, Shelbee on the Edge
1920’s inspired, fur coat, fashion over 40, Fab 40’s, Shelbee on the Edge
1920’s inspired, fur coat, fashion over 40, Fab 40’s, Shelbee on the Edge
1920’s inspired, fur coat, fashion over 40, Fab 40’s, Shelbee on the Edge

To honor the first month of the new decade, 2020, the Fab 40’s are drawing inspiration from last century’s Roaring 20’s.

Women’s fashion in the 1920’s was characterized by the free spirited nature of a modernist era in the immediate wake of World War I which had just ended right before the new decade began. The post war world had been fundamentally and irreversibly effected on a societal and a cultural level, which dramatically impacted the entire fashion industry.

Due to a war time world, the role of women shifted drastically as they were left behind to handle all of the so-called “men’s work” while their husbands were off fighting. This caused a shift not only in women’s roles, but it is also necessitated a change in the way women dressed. Simplicity and convenience became priorities in wardrobe choices as women began rejecting the formality and decadence of multiple layers of feminine garb in favor of comfort and a more natural style of dressing.

1920’s inspired, tweed blazer, fashion over 40, Fab 40’s, Shelbee on the Edge
1920’s inspired, tweed blazer, fashion over 40, Fab 40’s, Shelbee on the Edge
1920’s inspired, tweed blazer, fashion over 40, Fab 40’s, Shelbee on the Edge
1920’s inspired, tweed blazer, fashion over 40, Fab 40’s, Shelbee on the Edge

As women gained more freedom and independence, they also became bolder and more relaxed in their sartorial choices. The Jazz Era brought with it shorter hemlines, low waisted dresses, and the overall more revealing styles of Flappers. Women began cutting their hair shorter for ease and convenience, making the bob cut the most iconic hairstyle of that decade.

The 1920’s also saw a new trend that was a more casual haphazard combination of colors and art deco designs that included a mixture of bright contrasting hues and bold geometric designs. With comfort and convenience driving the styles of the day, loose and comfortable chemises and camisoles replaced the restricting corsets of the previous generations. And you began seeing more and more women wearing pants. *Gasp*

Some of the biggest trends that made their way forward in the 1920’s were short fringy dresses that allowed for freedom of movement while still maintaining a glitzy feminine appeal, cloche hats and shorter hair styles, a boyish “garconne” look that came in the adaption of menswear styles for women, Mary Jane and T-Strap heels, cocoon fur coats, beaded and feather headbands, and long pearl necklaces and bold faux gemstones.

1920’s inspired, tweed blazer, fashion over 40, Fab 40’s, Shelbee on the Edge
1920’s inspired, tweed blazer, fashion over 40, Fab 40’s, Shelbee on the Edge
1920’s inspired, tweed blazer, fashion over 40, Fab 40’s, Shelbee on the Edge
1920’s inspired, tweed blazer, fashion over 40, Fab 40’s, Shelbee on the Edge
slingbacks, net socks, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

The fashion designers that ruled the runways in the 1920’s included some of the most influential female designers in the history of the fashion world. They included Coco Chanel, Jeanne Lanvin, Elsa Schiaparelli, Sonia Delauney, and Madeleine Vionnet. The fashion icons in Hollywood and other celebrity circles who began setting the style standards for this new generation included Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, Clara Bow, Louise Brooks, Marie Provost, Marlene Dietrich, Gloria Swanson, Colleen Moore, Zelda Fitzgerald, Josephine Baker.

Fast forward 100 years later and we live in a generation that is still driven by current fashion trends. But with a century’s worth of style trends from which to draw sartorial inspiration, it is kind of an “anything goes” era, in my opinion. We wear what we want, when we want, and how we want. We combine trends from various eras and genres with an ease and a creativity that epitomizes a free thinking modern world.

1920’s inspired, tweed blazer, fashion over 40, Fab 40’s, Shelbee on the Edge
1920’s inspired, fashion over 40, Fab 40’s, Shelbee on the Edge
1920’s inspired, fashion over 40, Fab 40’s, Shelbee on the Edge
1920’s inspired, fashion over 40, Fab 40’s, Shelbee on the Edge
1920’s inspired, fashion over 40, Fab 40’s, Shelbee on the Edge

This month was my turn to choose the theme and invite a guest blogger. Being a fan of iconic fashions of the past, I challenged my Fab 40’s friends to create an outfit inspired by the 1920’s that could be worn in the more modern way of the 2020’s. I invited my dear blogging friend, Carrie of Curly Crafty Mom to be our guest blogger this month. And I have to say that she completely rocked this style prompt! Keep reading to see how my fabulous friends rose to this challenge. And be sure to visit their blogs as well for more details on their looks.

The Fab 40’s is a group of five fashion bloggers from around the globe. Each month we choose a different theme and invite a guest blogger who is also in their 40’s to join us. This group’s goal is to take on style trends and show how we each interpret and incorporate them into our own lives. With six widely varied views, you are certain to find something that speaks to you each month and encourages you to continue to have fun with fashion after the age of 40.

Let’s begin with Carrie of Curly Crafty Mom. She went full on Flapper with a modern appeal in this gorgeous blush ensemble. Incorporating beads and fringe, a fur stole and a glorious headband, layers of pearls, strappy sandals, and long satin gloves, Carrie looks like she stepped directly out of the pages of The Great Gatsby. This is head to toe Roaring 20’s magnificence.

Carrie of Curly Crafty Mom

Outfit Details: Elastic Headband, Gold Sequin Fringe Skirted Dress, Faux Fur Shawl-Amazon / Gold Heels (Old) / Nude Fishnets (Old)

Next is Dee of Dee Sayz and she is a vision in purple beads, giving us an elegance and sophistication of a 1920’s style icon that is perfectly on point for a 2020’s event of the most refined sort. She has added an iconic cloche hat with a fur trimmed cocoon style cardigan that are iconically 1920’s with the perfect modern twist. It is like she just attended a dinner party at the Fitzgeralds’ where she probably captivated all of the guests.

Dee of Dee Sayz

Outfit Details: Bead Dress-Trendy Diva / Suede Shrug-Cover Story / Neck Fur-Local Market / Cap-Local Market / Pumps-Zara

And now Suzy of Suzy Turner Books & Style bringing us the charm and distinction of an empowered woman who stepped to the forefront of the fashion culture in the 1920’s, commanding respect for both her grace and her unyielding confidence. The bold floral print with fur trim and luxurious cascade of pearls juxtaposed against the comfort and ease of glorious flowing trousers creates the image of a woman who could have stood side by side with Ms. Chanel as they brainstormed then next big thing to walk down the runway.

Suzy of Suzy Turner Books & Style

Outfit Details: Black palazzo pants-Next (from eBay) / Floral velvet jacket-Stradivarius / New shoes-Ruby Shoo / Black blouse-old / Clutch-inherited from my late step-mother-in-law / Necklace, bracelet and ring-Gifts from mother-in-law / Earrings-old / Faux fur ‘scarf’-the removable neckpiece from another coat

Next up is Daenel of Living Outside the Stacks adding the most amazing modern twist on the vintage 1920’s style. With the 1920’s femininity of sheer beaded layers and frills placed side by side with the badassery of a 2020’s power blazer and edgy combat boots, Daenel has certainly outdone herself and has taken this theme to levels that even my creative mind could not reach. Be still my heart.

Daenel of Living Outside the Stacks

And then there is my favorite fashion icon of all time, Sheela of Sheela Writes, giving us a brilliantly modern spin on the dainty appeal of a 1920’s Hollywood starlet with a long strand of double wrapped pearls and little pearl beads spattered upon her delicate pink dress paired with these edgy caged heels.

Sheela of Sheela Writes

And finally, my 1920’s inspired outfit. I was originally planning to wear a glittery and glitzy gown, but it was just too cold so I opted for the menswear inspired fashion of the 1920’s to create my modern version of this style genre. I definitely was glad that I had on pants and a faux fur coat because the day we shot these photos it was a balmy 15 degrees F with a wind chill of really effing cold. I drew inspiration from the Pinterest photos below and found everything I needed in my closet.

1920’s inspired, fur coat, fashion over 40, Fab 40’s, Shelbee on the Edge

Outfit Details: Faux Fur Coat-Gift from Husband (Thrifted) / Blazer-Talbots (Thrifted) / Blouse-Loft (Thrifted) / Pants-Old Navy / Shoes-Franco Sarto (These are about 15 years old) / Belt, Ankle Socks, Earrings, and some necklaces-So old I don’t remember where they came from, some were thrifted / Headband-Target / Cameo brooch on headband-Etsy / Gloves-Gift from Sister (Thrifted)

What is your favorite fashion decade? And would you wear a 1920’s inspired style today? Which trends from that generation are your favorites?

Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

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I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.

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