Rapid social changes after the war brought new freedom. One icon of the Roaring Twenties was the Flapper. These liberated women were unconstrained by the social confines of previous generations. Personal style was vital in expressing their independence. Flappers stood out, with bobbed hair, makeup, short skirts, headbands, and feather boas.
Evening gowns were loosely cut and embellished with fringe, lame, beads or intricate embroidery. The bi-level hemline, similar to the modern hi-low hemline, came into vouge in the late 1920s.

Clothing and new styles became more accessible to the population. The creation of synthetic fabrics, factory production of garments, and chain stores reduced clothing prices. Although business was booming, the era of prosperity ended when the stock market crashed in 1929, resulting in the Great Depression.