Flappers who wore short dresses, danced and listened to jazz showed the United States that women can be fashionable, independent and even rebellious in the 1920s. Flapper dresses landed above the knee, exposed the arms and often had fringe trim. Now women and girls can make flapper costumes for Halloween simply and stay within a budget, the way women from all socioeconomic classes took advantage of the fashion back in 1926.
Child's Flapper Costume
Create a flapper costume for a child by sewing just a couple of seams and adding some purchased trim. Since most apparel fabric comes in 45-inch width, the fabric will be wide enough to cover a child up to five feet tall. Extra length can be added using trim, or have the little girl wear sport shorts underneath the dress for extra coverage. Cut the fabric four inches longer than the child's measurement at her thickest point.
Sew the two cut ends together in a 5/8-inch seam so that you have a cylinder a few inches larger than your child that is 45 inches long and has a selvage at both the top and bottom. Fold over the top edge 1/4 inch and iron. Stitch or use fabric glue to hem the top edge.
Create straps to go over the child's shoulders using purchased trim or ribbon. Cut the ribbon or trim to the length needed and sew the ends into the top edge of the dress. Try the dress on and pin the straps in place before sewing. Hem the bottom edge to the desired length and stitch or glue on purchased fringe trim.
Instead of starting from scratch, purchase a simple tank or sundress with a narrow skirt. Cut the skirt to length and hem the bottom edge using hem tape or your sewing machine. Embellish the dress with fringe trim, using purchased sequin trim to cover the top band of the fringe trim if desired.
Woman's Flapper Costume
Create a simple shift dress that mirrors your measurements by cutting along a line drawn a couple inches larger than your bust, waist and hip measurements through a double thickness of fabric in your desired length. With the right sides of the fabric facing each other, pin the two cut pieces of fabric together and stitch in a 5/8-inch seam. Hem the top and bottom edge and add straps made from purchased ribbon. Embellish by stitching or gluing on fringe.
As an alternative, if you don't sew, purchase a simple sleeveless shift dress at a thrift shop. Add purchased fringe trim around the bottom edge, or layer it throughout the dress. If you can't find a plain and simple dress to embellish, purchase a drop-waist or mermaid-style dress and cut off the extra length. Add fringe to the bottom in a double layer to add extra length if needed.
Accessories
Complete the flapper Halloween costume by wearing a purchased feather boa over your shoulders. Add fishnet hose and closed-toe shoes. Straighten your hair and if it's long, pull it into a long ponytail tucked under at the nape of your neck to create a bob. Glue a feather plume onto a hair clip or headband and wear it in your bob or across your bangs.
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