Culture: The Flapper Feather Headband (2024)

What image first pops into your head when you hear the phrase “flappergirl?” The iconic fashion movement gave independent and resilient women a signaturelook during the roaring 20s. Flapper fashion arose shortly after women earnedthe right to vote, and women around the country shirked cultural and fashionnorms to make a style all their own.

Flapper girls were simply women that embraced the lively and decadentnightlife that the roaring 20s offered. Flapper fashion was frequently ondisplay in jazz clubs, vaudeville shows, and at the hottest restaurants in bigcities.

The accouterment of flapper fashion symbolized a strong sense ofindependence and self-determination. It was a unifying battle cry for womenacross the nation to flaunt what they have and to bury the image of the demure,obedient housewife held by men of the time.

The typical flapper outfit typified the rebellious yet sophisticatednature of the decade. Woman shorn their long locks and styled their short hairin cute bob cuts. Dresses were short (knee-length), with a dropped waistlineand a sleeveless front and back. The style was modern and experimental, withwomen wearing beads, sequins, chiffon, satin, and anything else they dared totry.

Women like Clara Bow and Zelda Fitzgerald set the trends that scores ofwomen copied. F. Scott Fitzgerald (Zelda’s husband) cemented the image of theflapper girl in American history with his novel The Great Gatsby.

Flapper fashion allowed women more movement so they could dance easily. Inorder to glam up their accessories, women in the roaring 20s had to thinkoutside of the box. Out of this necessity the flapper feather headband rose toprominence.

For stylish women in the 21st century who want to evoke the strength andvitality of the flapper girl in their fashion, a flapper headband is a timelessand striking accessory that’s easy to make but impossible to forget.

Don’t spend hundreds at premiere vintage shops or costume warehouses –make your own flapper feather headband. First, choose material with an elegantsheen for the headband itself. Stark black fabrics work terrifically. Decoratewith beads and rhinestones for extra dazzle.

Then, choose some feathers to incorporate into your flapper headbandmasterpiece. To keep it subtle and full of texture, attach some midnight blackostrich fringe trim to the bottom of the headband on either side. For aneutral palette, another classic option is to buy wispy, grey ostrich confetti feathers you can layer throughout the band.

If you’re looking for a stunning splash of color, three or four trimmedpeaco*ck “eye” feathers can’t be beat. This was a go-to finishing touch onflapper headbands in the 20s, and with careful craftsmanship they’ll blend intoyour headband perfectly.

Go vintage with a flapper feather headband that’s empowering, bold, andnaturally gorgeous.

Culture: The Flapper Feather Headband (2024)

FAQs

Why did flappers wear feather headbands? ›

Flapper fashion allowed women more movement so they could dance easily. In order to glam up their accessories, women in the roaring 20s had to think outside of the box. Out of this necessity the flapper feather headband rose to prominence.

What is the flapper headband called? ›

A flapper headpiece or hairband was often known as a headache band or brain binder because of the snug fit around the head. These headbands became a popular look and symbol of the 1920s.

What did flapper girls wear on their heads? ›

Flapper Headwear

During the 1920's the Flappers were noted for wearing decorated headbands, headdresses and highly jewelled hair combs. Many of the headbands were decorated with ostrich feathers. The headbands also known as Bandeaus, were worn with evening and formal dresses.

What does the feather headband mean? ›

The headdress is a symbol of leadership, and each feather is earned and shows a position of leadership. Not everyone in American Indian cultures has the right to wear headdresses. They are reserved for special cultural or spiritual occasions.

Did flappers bind their breasts? ›

To present a boyish form, flappers bound their breasts.

What did the flapper symbolize? ›

A symbol of the 1920s, flappers embody the youth and rebellion commonly associated with the prohibition era. Many women had joined the work force during World War I; they could work, drive, and with the passing of the 19th Amendment in 1920, they could vote.

Why did flappers bob their hair? ›

The antithesis of the long, pinned-up or braided hairstyles that had dominated Western women's fashion for nearly seven centuries, bobbed hair was at first a daring symbol of feminism and individuality.

Why did flapper girls wear pearls? ›

Long stranded pearls were a staple to the fashion of women during this era because they represented class, hipness, and sophistication.

How to keep a flapper headband in place? ›

To make a headband stay in place, lightly mist the top and sides of your hair with hairspray before putting the headband on. For extra security, slide 1 bobby pin over the headband on each side of your head to prevent it from sliding back. Another way to keep your headband in place is to add puffy paint to it.

How did flapper girls wear their hair? ›

Short hair and fluid waves were unquestionably the height of fashion in this decade. The “Finger Wave” and “Faux Bob” were the most popular styles of the time and were often decorated with fancy embellished hair pieces just like the one in the image above.

Do flapper girls wear tights? ›

A typical flapper chose dresses that were of a straight style, sleeveless, and often low-cut as well as short—about knee-length, which was rather scandalous at the time. She wore stockings, often rolled to below the knee; had a bobbed, or chin-length, hairstyle; and used cosmetics on her face in a bold manner.

Why did Native Americans wear feathers on their head? ›

In many tribes, when members wear the headdress it is believed to bring the warrior both wisdom and powers. In some tribes the headdress is also known to be worn by males, which symbolizes a place of great respect within their tribe.

Did flapper girls wear feather boas? ›

A time of glitz and glamor, of jazz and flappers. The decade was known for its wild style, as well as the newfound freedom bestowed upon individuals.. During this era, fashion was daring and beautiful, incorporating unique statement pieces like feather boas, pearls, and even headbands.

Why were feathers popular in the 1920s? ›

The 1920s witnessed the pinnacle of feather boa popularity, particularly during the electrifying era of the flappers. These rebellious young women, known for their bold fashion choices and liberated lifestyles, embraced feather boas as symbols of freedom and defiance against societal norms.

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