1920 might be a bit too distant for personal connections to today’s Hoyas. Sure, we know the politicians and treaties. But what was the average American watching, wearing and listening to in the year that THE HOYA was born?
In 1919, Vanity Fair writer John Jay Chapman described how “After any war for liberty, people feel the need of rest, food, amusement, order and self indulgence.” Eighty-five years later we are still fighting wars for liberty and still seeking new ways to indulge ourselves. Life in 1920 was certainly different, but a retrospective peek reveals that some things never change.
On the 1920 music scene, the wartime songs of love, loss and hardship gave way to the vibrant pulse of jazz. Louis Armstrong and his contemporaries took audiences by storm. However, the “loose morals” associated with jazz troubled parents and authorities. In fact, jazz was actually banned on Broadway in 1921.
Today, mothers are still cringing over declining morals as Britney Spears’ “Outrageous” antics cause a stir. Boy bands have come and gone and the pop divas rule their domain. Rap and R&B fusions hold the top chart positions of 2005. Artists include Usher, Beyonce and Snoop Dogg. Away from hip- hop, singer songwriters John Mayer and Gavin DeGraw croon their way into our hearts.
Motion pictures were in their infancy in 1920, but their sparkle had quickly captured audiences. Cinemas had also been used during the war to broadcast visual updates from the front. In this pre-Disney era, Charlie Chaplain was all the magic needed. His film The Kid, was a huge success. The Mask of Zorro starring Douglas Fairbanks also came out this year. A trip to the movies in 1920 cost a mere dime.
As we enter 2005, the movie industry has grown beyond the wildest dreams of the film pioneers. Although news is no longer shown before a feature, political messages still storm through theatres in Michael Moore’s documentaries. Disney brought animated childhood classics. Now, new computer technology has taken animation to a whole new level with Shrek and The Incredibles.
The blockbusters of 2004 included The Passion of the Christ, the wizards of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, and Fahrenheit 9/11. Today a single movie ticket can cost a steep ten dollars!
A night of dancing was a prime form of entertainment in 1920. Dance halls were filled with people letting loose to jazz-inspired moves. The Charleston and Fox-Trot were among the most popular dances. Not everyone was dancing to the same beat, however.
Parents were outraged over slackening morality that manifested as lipstick and bared legs.
Hip- hop is the dance music of choice these days with enough bright lips and bared legs to worry an army of parents. Formalized group grooves may be long gone, but our desire to dance the night away remains strong. We hone our moves at home with “Dance Dance Revolution,” then hit the clubs to “Lean Back” or “Drop It Like It’s Hot.”
In 1920, the “flapper” fashion that dominated the roaring twenties had yet to dominate the catwalks. Instead, evening gowns featured silk or chiffon draped in luxurious long layers. The fabric was drawn in at the waist with a wide swath of the same material.
The causal style called for long skirts, cut just above the ankle. These were worn with long jackets or sweaters that were straight-line and as long as mid-thigh. Broad-rimmed straw hats were a must to protect a milky complexion on a summer’s day.
Up top, hot thongs and wax were employed to tame even the wildest locks into a sleek, short perm.
Modern ladies love the LBD (little black dress), which has reached iconic status as the classic wardrobe essential. Formal duds today reflect a sampling of the century’s distinctive styles. From poofy prom dresses to sleek gowns, a feminine look is usually in order. The mini-skirt is enjoying a revival, although it is tactfully reserved for the nightclub or house party, not the Dip Ball.
On the casual end, dress down is more relaxed than ever. Jeans remain prevalent, although the sweat pant-sweatshirt combination makes appearances everywhere from the classroom to the movies. Our tresses reflect a time of extremes. Hair is either diffused in messy curls or ironed ultra-straight. Either is a far cry from tight 1920s perms.
Before Armani had arrived to perfect the “everyman’s” suit, 1920 men’s formal wear included double tails and top hats. The ensemble was completed with a bow tie and cane. A day of sports required short pants and knee-high socks or boots. A straw Panama hat was always in order for a country drive. A day at the beach even had a dress code. A bathing suit included a knitted wool top, shorts and even a belt!
In 1920, shirts and collars were sold separately. Choosing the correct collar for a special event could make all the difference. Styles ranged from the rounded “Sanford” to the pointed “Piping Rock.” Intense starching and ironing were necessary for a formal look, and a soft collar was appropriate for a relaxed afternoon.
Depending on the event, formal men’s attire today can range anywhere from a full tuxedo to an Oxford shirt with a tie. The interchangeable sport coat is a look that has been perfected over the years and remains popular today.
Jeans are all-important for casual wear. The more adventurous types may dally with salmon colored Seersuckers. Hats now fall in the casual range, but they still reveal just as much about the wearer. An embroidered red B says you had a good year, whereas an overlapped NY shows you’re not just a fair-weather fan.
In a fashion phenomenon that could never have been foreseen, the collar has returned to puzzle the style-conscious masses. Up or down is the big question, and your choice could tell the world a lot about your geographical origination and social grouping.
Beach attire and dance moves may be worlds apart, but collar confusion and movie magic stand as reminders that things don’t always change so fast.