Ladies, gentlemen, old sports, we are about to enter one of the most important decades in our lives: the 2020s. One hundred years later, we’re still feeling the legacy of one of the most glamorous and politically turbulent decades of American (and world) history. It was one of the first decades where youth culture really began to dominate the world of fashion, art, literature, and social movement. In the twenty-first century, that mode of thinking has largely remained the same! From fashion, to attitude, to civic engagement, here are some ways to pay homage to the Roaring 20s as we stroll into this exciting new decade.
Whatever You’re Wearing, Make it BOLD
A quintessential feature of the 1920s was the flapper style: short hair, dark lips, vibrant eyeshadow, and the perfect accent pearl necklace. This departure from previous styles of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries was significant because women especially were beginning to embrace their sexual expression in a way that hadn’t really been seen in the West for generations. On August 18th, 1920 women in America were officially given the right to vote. This was a huge milestone for first-wave feminism and really set the tone for female liberation for the rest of the twentieth century onward. Some ways to incorporate this mentality are getting a hairstyle that may not fit the expectations that people may have of you (I’d recommend a 20s flapper-style cut, but to each their own!); tuning into your artistic makeup abilities and not being afraid to reach for those darker and more elaborate colors); and embrace the idea of hair accessories! Those cloche hats need to come back into mainstream style and it really starts with us.
Photo courtesy of Marvin Meyer via Unsplash
Work Hard, Play Hard.
Yes, the stock market crashed in 1929 which led to a global depression and the poverty of millions of Americans. BUT that doesn’t negate the fact that the 20s were all about that sweet pursuit of happiness and coin. Who hasn’t seen Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby and dreamed of attending one of those incredible parties? Or just getting lost in that beautiful mansion? Or even just spending the day with Leonardo DiCaprio? The 1920s were full of opportunity for people to explore their passions or simply make a whole lot of money— whatever floats your boat! So how does that translate into a 2020 mentality? Pursue those dreams as hard as you can, but don’t forget to smell the roses along the way. It’s okay to relax and take a break every now and then from your hectic schedule by having fun with your friends, going on some crazy adventures, or even just taking a day to lay in bed watching Netflix. You are doing amazing things and we’re all rooting for you.
Photo courtesy of Cristina Manzaneque via Unsplash
We Live in a Society.
The end of the First World War marked a huge turning point in the way people perceived the world. After seeing how capable the world was of destroying itself ten times over, society started to care a bit more about the problems that could snowball into much bigger issues that would only end in violence; it’s called the “First” World War for a reason. Movements like the Harlem Renaissance sparked social change surrounding the treatment of people of color in America through art and music, while the Suffragettes continued to fight for women’s rights after they were given the right to vote. We live in a hectic world with a massive level of inequality, but we do have voices that can be as loud as we want them to be. Even if it starts with embracing your identity regardless of what anyone says, you are making a statement— be bold! If you’re a woman (or a man), go out and vote! Help someone in need! Let’s make those activists from 100 years ago proud.
Photo courtesy of Phil Hearing via Unsplash
The Roaring 20s were all about embracing who you were without a caring about what people had to say about it. That, and a whole lot of charlestoning. My last suggestion for incorporating the 20s mentality into your 2020s is to bring back 1920s dancing at parties, clubs, even the streets of New York, just be sure to make the 2020s be whatever you want it to be in your life. Make the next ten years about chasing your passions in life and loving yourself and others! Now don your cloche hat and pearl necklace and go vote!