Culture: The Flapper Feather Headband

What image first pops into your head when you hear the phrase “flapper girl?” The iconic fashion movement gave independent and resilient women a signature look during the roaring 20s. Flapper fashion arose shortly after women earned the right to vote, and women around the country shirked cultural and fashion norms to make a style all their own.

Flapper girls were simply women that embraced the lively and decadent nightlife that the roaring 20s offered. Flapper fashion was frequently on display in jazz clubs, vaudeville shows, and at the hottest restaurants in big cities.

The accouterment of flapper fashion symbolized a strong sense of independence and self-determination. It was a unifying battle cry for women across the nation to flaunt what they have and to bury the image of the demure, obedient housewife held by men of the time.

The typical flapper outfit typified the rebellious yet sophisticated nature of the decade. Woman shorn their long locks and styled their short hair in cute bob cuts. Dresses were short (knee-length), with a dropped waistline and a sleeveless front and back. The style was modern and experimental, with women wearing beads, sequins, chiffon, satin, and anything else they dared to try.

Women like Clara Bow and Zelda Fitzgerald set the trends that scores of women copied. F. Scott Fitzgerald (Zelda’s husband) cemented the image of the flapper girl in American history with his novel The Great Gatsby.

Flapper fashion allowed women more movement so they could dance easily. In order to glam up their accessories, women in the roaring 20s had to think outside of the box. Out of this necessity the flapper feather headband rose to prominence.

For stylish women in the 21st century who want to evoke the strength and vitality of the flapper girl in their fashion, a flapper headband is a timeless and striking accessory that’s easy to make but impossible to forget.

Don’t spend hundreds at premiere vintage shops or costume warehouses – make your own flapper feather headband. First, choose material with an elegant sheen for the headband itself. Stark black fabrics work terrifically. Decorate with beads and rhinestones for extra dazzle.

Then, choose some feathers to incorporate into your flapper headband masterpiece. To keep it subtle and full of texture, attach some midnight black ostrich fringe trim to the bottom of the headband on either side. For a neutral palette, another classic option is to buy wispy, grey ostrich confetti feathers you can layer throughout the band.

If you’re looking for a stunning splash of color, three or four trimmed peacock “eye” feathers can’t be beat. This was a go-to finishing touch on flapper headbands in the 20s, and with careful craftsmanship they’ll blend into your headband perfectly.

Go vintage with a flapper feather headband that’s empowering, bold, and naturally gorgeous.