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Question: Am I in the wrong decade!?
I am attending a 1920's Formal themed "Puttin' on the Ritz" prom/ball/dance!. The age group ranges from 7th-12th graders!.

I'm picturing nonstop swing dancing with trio dancers and couples showing off what they've got!. Am I thinking right!? If I'm totally wrong, please inform me about the 20's!.

1) What men & women wore
2) How they danced
3) The setting of formal dances
4) Make-up & hair
5) How they acted

I know flappers were big then, but I'm going for more formal!.
Thanks for answering - Please list websites

*Elizabeth*Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Hello Elizabeth,

What a fun idea to do a 1920s-themed party! I think it sounds grand!. OK, let's try to answer your questions, shall we!?

1!. Women wore dropped waistlines and mostly short dresses; especially during the second half of the decade!. Even formal wear was not floor-length as that was considered old-fashioned and stuffy during the roaring 20s!. The desired shape was very boyish (think small bosom, narrow hips, no defined waist)!. Evening dresses were sleeveless with deep necklines!. Women also wore long necklaces, headbands, earrings, etc!. For formal events, gloves (elbow or opera-length) were still popular!.
Here's a good Website for dress ideas: http://www!.vintagedance!.com/dress-20s!.ht!.!.!.

Evening attire for men would have been a tailcoat, black silk top hat, etc!. The dinner suit (Americans call it tuxedo) was still considered informal and only to be worn during intimate family dinners!. The dinner suit gradually gained more acceptance during the 1930s!.

2!. Make-up and hair: The popular hair style for women was short hair!. Some ladies kept their hair long, and styled in a chignon!. Make-up was a bit exaggerated by today's standards: lots of powder, very red lips, thin eyebrows, and lots of dark eye liner!.
http://www!.1920-30!.com/fashion/hairstyle!.!.!.
http://www!.1920-30!.com/fashion/hairstyle!.!.!.

Here's a good picture of men's hair during the period: http://www!.beauty-and-the-bath!.com/mens-!.!.!.

3!. Dancing: The dances that were popular during the era were the Charleston, Foxtrot, Blackbottom, Waltz and Shag!.
Here you can find more information: http://en!.wikipedia!.org/wiki/Historical_!.!.!.

The Swing did not really become popular until the 1930s, so I would not recommend it for a 1920s party!.

As far as the setting and the behaviour at formal dances is concerned, I can offer you this Website with advice from the period (1922 to be exact): http://www!.bartleby!.com/95/17!.html
It's written by Emily Post and tells you everything you need to know about proper decorations, etiquette in the ballroom, suggested foods, the role of the hostess, and much much more!.

I hope this helps! I think the idea is fabulous, and only hope that the invited guests will appreciate it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Swing was just starting, and that largely in the ***** communities (they weren't African-American then)!. Peabody and the Castle Walk were pretty big, and the Charleston came along then, along with the Black Bottom and a host of "farmyard dances!." The guys have it easy: the tuxedo hasn't really changed!.
You might want to rent "The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle" for some idea of the dances, though if I recall Vernon was killed in the War, 1918!. It's a Fred and Ginger movie in which Irene was critical of Mr!. Astaire's dancing! Ginger, by the way, gives a good performance of the Black Bottom mixed with tap in her role as Roxie Hart, if you want to try to find that one while you're shopping for video rentals!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Swing was just starting to emerge in the late 20s!. So I'd check with organizers is swing is what they had in mind!. I'd be inclined to think more towards foxtrot!.
http://en!.wikipedia!.org/wiki/Swing_dance
Bob hairstyle is probably the main indicatoin of 20s!.
http://en!.wikipedia!.org/wiki/History_of_!.!.!.
http://en!.wikipedia!.org/wiki/Cosmetics_o!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Women wore skirts above their knees!. Hair was cut short and straight!. High heels!.
Men wore suits and shirts and ties!. Straw hats were in!.
music was fast and made for fast dancing!.
Women put their lipstick on so that their lips looked like a cupid's bow!. No lipstick at the corners and a heart-shape in the middle!.
Loud and wold (See!.today's young people didnt invent noise!!!Www@QuestionHome@Com