Long vs. Short Skirts: How Hemline Length Started a Revolution

So why should we care about a century old fashion debate? We should care because this is not only about hemline length. This is about women declaring their autonomy and break away from the long skirt fad of French fashion designers.

You can credit World War I for accelerating this movement. During the war, women entered the workforce where they welcomed shorter, more comfortable skirts. After the war, there was much debate over shortened skirts and whether women should abandon this attire. The women who were behind this movement identified the short skirt with women’s economic independence and them embracing their own American style, separate from French influence.

The article, featured in February 1, 1921 Perth Amboy Evening News, mentions how American and French women adapted to different styles that suits them.

Should American women prepare for the longer skirt? The image, featured in June 2, 1921 Perth Amboy Evening News, shows the chiffon overskirt with a colored sash along the waist line. It is a subtle transition into the longer skirt style that originated from France.

This image, featured in September 23, 1922 Perth Amboy Evening News, shows women from the “No Longer Skirt Club” of Flint, Michigan. The popular slogan for this club is “ten inches from the ground- no longer, no shorter.” They disregard the rules and regulations set by Paris designers regarding appropriate skirt lengths.

Join these women in their right to break away from French styles and embrace their own American individuality. This article, featured in October 11, 1922 Perth Amboy Evening News, explains how some women adopted the longer skirt because it was a Paris style. However, women have decided to adapt their own American style with the shorter, comfortable skirt. Some women believe that it comes down to appropriateness. Whatever one’s opinion may be, it is important to note the progress made in women’s fashion. They are no longer just following the latest fad.

A fashion controversy is nothing without its trusty investigator! The article above, featured in October 11, 1922 Perth Amboy Evening News, describes an investigator who examined skirt lengths of twenty five high end stores in New York. When it comes to his results, street dresses are shown with skirts two to ten inches off the sidewalk, with the average being around seven inches. Sports wear is around six to twelve inches, with the average being around nine inches. Evening gowns measure one to seven inches off the ballroom floor, with the average being only five inches. Quite a trend to follow!

While some women vow to support the long skirt movement, others believe there should be a short skirt campaign. The image above, featured in November 15, 1922 Perth Amboy Evening News, shows executive officers of the National Flappers’ Organization, whose 30,000 members have voted to ignore Paris trends by sticking to the short skirts. By supporting short skirts, women are protesting commercialization in the fashion industry for their own style and comfort.

(Contributed by Kristi Chanda)

Source:

Person. “Hemlines.” LoveToKnow, LoveToKnow Corp, fashion-history.lovetoknow.com/fashion-history-eras/hemlines.