The nineteen twenties in America was a time of transition. The economy was booming, and the arts were enjoying a revolution. Times were changing for women as well. They had just gotten the right to vote. Many of them were working, wearing trousers in public, partying in nightclubs, and smoking. Skirts were getting higher and necklines lower. Not all women could afford off the rack clothes, so they picked out 1920s dresses patterns and made their own.

For women of a certain class sewing was a sign of a good homemaker. Even as more and more women flocked to department stores to buy their clothing, the ones that couldn't afford it could buy a pattern for a dime, or create one of their own, and achieve the same look. They saved their money for accessories like cloche hats, shoes, belts, and silk stockings.

A staple in their wardrobes was the everyday home dress worn to do the housekeeping and cooking. Cotton was the preferred material. A lot of women went to the trouble of adding a few stylish touches like rickrack and lace. Most made the aprons they wore to protect their home dresses from grease and spills in the kitchen.

Working girls need more formal wear for the office. Housewives as well changed into street clothes to go visiting or to run errands. A typical pattern would create a simple tailored dress of silk or wool. Women who lived in cities wore mostly greys, blacks, tans and navies. Country women leaned toward blue, red, white, and light grey.

Afternoon teas, in cozy tea rooms or in drawing rooms, gave women of the era a chance to wear something more sophisticated. An afternoon tea dress usually hit about mid-calf and was artfully decorated. They could use more colorful and lighter material for these dresses than would be used for a home dress. Women wore sheer stockings in colors to match their garments.

Women wealthy enough to go to college had to be outfitted for any occasion. Knit was the material of choice because it was so easy to wash. Coeds wore their skirts shorter and paired everything with a raccoon coat. This was a time when men and women changed for the evening meal. Most college women came to school with several dresses made of silk and other delicate materials which were appropriate for dining.

Evening wear was reserved for those who had enough disposable income to party the night away. These women wore the dropped waist style of the time in materials such as silk, velvet, taffeta, and chiffon. A beaded dress would have been a time consuming project, but worth it because it was a sign of affluence. Only young women wore sleeveless garments.

Styles go in and out of fashion. Every couple of decades sees a revival of the styles worn just after World War I. An original pattern today, if you are interested in creating your own version of a 1920s frock, is hard to find and will cost much more than a dime.