Flapper costumes involve fringe, sequins and feathers.
The popular image of the flapper is that of a young, care-free dancing girl in a short dress and even shorter hair. The flapper movement of the 1920s was a rebellion against the oppressive, ornately-wrought fashions of the previous decades. Flappers wore their dancing dresses and bobbed hair as signs of liberation from society. Silver-screen actresses like Louise Brooks and Josephine Baker are perfect references when creating your own flapper costume.
The Dress
A flapper costume demands a dress covered in sequins, glitz and kicky fringe. Many commercially produced flapper costumes are available and typically consist of a short, no longer than knee length, dress covered with layers of fringe. You can recreate this look by hot gluing strips of fringe around a knee length, A-line shift dress. Flapper costumes are usually sleeveless. If you don't feel like gluing fringe down the entire dress, three to five strips of fringe glued from the hem to mid-thigh gives the same illusion of movement.
Accessories
Fishnet stockings give your flapper costume a vampy flair, especially when paired with elbow length gloves and a long, fake cigarette holder. Fancy headdresses are also popular flapper costume accessories. A sequined headband worn around the circumference of the head is a classic flapper touch, especially when festooned with feathers. Hairbands that tuck behind the ears are another popular way to add glamour to a flapper costume. You can purchase a plastic hairband and glue feathers and fake rhinestones to one side for a custom-made flapper headpiece. A feather boa that coordinates with your dress is the perfect finishing touch.
Jewelry
The classic flapper costume includes a long string of fake pearls, perfect for twirling while dancing the Charleston. Rhinestones also offer a glittery finish to a flapper costume ensemble. Stretchy rhinestone bracelets worn over elbow length gloves and a rhinestone choker worn with pearl strands add to a glamorous flapper ensemble. Earrings and rings weren't typical flapper accessories, but a simple pair of studs and a bold cocktail ring add extra flair.
Makeup and Hair
The liberated spirit of the flapper was best expressed by her short skirt and bobbed hair. Women had traditionally worn their hair long, but flappers brazenly chopped their hair off at the chin. If you are unwilling to commit to such a severe hairstyle, bobbed wigs let you experiment with short hair. Flapper makeup focuses on the lips, with a bee-stung pout popular among the fashionable women of the period. To achieve this look, pat foundation that matches your skin over your lips, blotting out the color. Dust the foundation with powder to set it, then dip a lip brush in lipstick and carefully outline the bow of the upper lip and fullest section of your bottom lip. Fill in the shape with lipstick. If done correctly, it should look like your lips are pursed in a kiss.
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