FLAPPERS

THE LOOK OF THE 20'S

• Flappers went for a young and boyish look
• Hair lengths grew shorter, hair was cut to the jawline, often referred to as a bob
• Flappers often wrapped their chests so that they appeared to be flat chested
• The dresses the women wore grew shorter and waistlines dropped to the hips
• Makeup which was previously worn only by actresses and prostitutes became popular

FLASHY BEHAVIORS

• Flappers smoked and drank publically, drove cars and did other things typically known to be done by men
• Treated sex in a casual manner, going against sexual and social norms
• Flappers tended to do a lot of provocative dancing
• Attended "petting parties" which allowed for physical intimacy without sexual penetration

RELEVANCE TO THE 1920'S

• Flappers were a "new breed" of women
• Changed the image of women
• Gave women power in a male dominated society
• Faced women with rebellious opportunities
• Changed the attitude of what was socially acceptable

RELEVANCE TO THE GREAT GATSBY

• Many of the women that attended Gatsby's parties were flappers
• Flappers were the "life of the party"