Masquerade Costumes from the 20's

Check out the mice on the Pied Piper's belt.

All sorts of partying when on in the 1920's.  The economy was good and alcohol was illegal. We all have images of speakeasies and everyone doing the Charleston.  So, it is not surprising to find old photos of masquerade parties and lots of old patterns and pattern catalogs. There are so many costume patterns from that time, it makes me think all costumes were home made. Or, if you could afford it, custom made.

It wasn't call the "Roaring Twenties" for nothing, I guess.

I have a few things from this period that always bring a smile to my face when I pull them out of my storage boxes.  I think they will make you smile, too.

This is the cover of a costume pattern catalog from the 1920s. The artwork is really good.

I dont' think Mrs. Washington wore her dresses that short.

Don't you love what these Earl Flynn kind of guys are up to?

This is a pattern I own from the 20s also. These two patterns look very similar. I am so curious what this would look like made up. Is the bodice really that straight? This is something I should try ...

Oh, and here are the entire instructions for this pattern except for the piece layout on the other side. People complain about the instructions in patterns now a days!! This only shows you a few parts of the garment contraction, probably the parts Butterick thought weren't obvious.

So, my son asked me ... were ladies really that flat chested?  Did people really look like these illustrations?  Here are some photo of actual 1920s people dressed for masquerade parties. 

I hope I made these photos large enough to read the captions.

Below are a few more patterns envelopes and catalog pages.

Simplicity was founded in 1927, so these 2 patterns must have been published right around that time.

This is called a Spanish Masquerade Costume.

McCalls was way ahead of the game with printed patterns in the 20s and even colored illustrations on the envelope front. Maybe the dutch girl in the photo above used this pattern.

1920s versions of historic costumes!

But, judging by the photos I've seen and material I've read so far. The exotic east was the favorite theme for dress up.

I hope you are smiling by now, I am.