sports.
Their increased importance
Why was there a change in women's sportswear?
The passing of the 19th amendment renewed emphasis on women's freedoms. Sports, is just one of many ways women embraced their newfound freedom following the 19th amendment. With this new found interest in sports came the necessity for new sportswear. No longer could floor length dresses be worn for playing sports such as tennis. More freeflowing and loose clothing needed to be invented. Fashion designers embraced women's increased involvement in sports and designed sportswear specifically targeted at women. Clothing was designed in all areas of sports including tennis, swimming, golf, and even for watching sporting events.
This article was listed in a January 4, 1928 New York Times newspaper. It is advertising sports frocks which stated can be used for "lunching at smart resturants or taking sideline parts at fashionable sports events." [53] This versitility reflected women's "on the go" life style during the 1920s.
The amount of women participants in the summer olympic games increased tremendously from 1908 to 1928. From 1924 to 1928 alone, the number of women participanting in the games more than doubled. [55]
Swimming
As swimming became more popular for women, women’s swimsuits went through a transformation. Women wore swimsuits that were more lightweight and followed the lines of the torso. [57] This allowed for more athleticism in swimming rather than just bathing in bulky garments at the beach of pool. [58] These tighter bathing suits would never have been accepted before the 1920s. They were accepted now, however, as a result of the rejuvenation of women’s independence.
Euphrasia Donnelly, Gertrude Ederle, Ethel Lackie, Mariechen Wehselau received first place in the 4x100 at the 1924 Olympics. [59]
Jantzen Knitting Mills located in Portland, Oregon started manufacturing swimsuits made of rubberized rib-sticked fabric that held its form fitting shape while wet and dry. [64] This appealed to many young women who desired to make sports a bigger part of their social life. [65] The slogan of the Jantzen Knitting Mills swimsuit, “the suit that changed bathing into swimming," [66] embodied women’s desire to become more actively involved in athletics. This desire emerged as a result of the increased independence granted to women in the 19th amendment. Also, men and women’s swimsuits began resembling each other. [67] This reflected the fact that women began to receive rights, such as the ability to vote that equaled those of men.
Not only did swimwear experience a change of fit, but also a change in color. [60] Swimsuits were no longer the plain and bleak, but contained bold designs and colors. Art deco influenced swimwear styles and novelty suits with sleek art deco animal adornments became popular. [61] These new flashy swimsuits showed off to other men and women their confidence.
Jean Patou invented knit swimwear and created the first suntan oil. [68]
two models from Washington's spring fashion show snapped at Arlington Beach. [69]
GOlf
Golf was not as popular for women as it was for men. Nevertheless, women who did play golf wore pleated skirts of various solid colors and plaids with knit tops and short or long-sleeved sweaters that buttoned in the front. [56] The pleated skirt made playing easier reflecting their free-flowing lifestyle.
spectator
Not only were clothing designed for women participating in sports, but also for women watching sporting events. Before the 1920s, women did not have very active lives, thus they did not participate in sports or watch sports very often. However, with the rise of popularity of women’s sports came the rise of women spectators. new clothing was invented to cater to the need for more clothing attire. during warmer weather event, women wore special spectator shoes. [73] These shoes had “white-tipped leather shoes trimmed with black leather or patent leather at the toes and heels." [74] Many women also wore spectator pump and carried matching handbags or white, leather rectangular pocketbooks with clasp at the top. [75] The clothing that developed was also largely a result of what was happening in the world. In 1927, Charles Lindbergh became the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. [76] In 1928, fans of the charles lindbergh mass produced reproductions of his leather aviator jacket to wear during sporting events. [77]
Tennis became a popular sport for women in the 1920s. The typical tennis outfit consisted of knee length summer dresses or skirts with sleeveless white tops. [70] Women typical did not wear stockings with this dress or skirt. [71] This tennis outfit showed off a woman's feminity while still be loose enough for women to play tennis comfortably.
