Costume Concepts Inspired by 20th-Century Eras
Exploring dress-up options by decade opens up a wide range of possibilities. Because American fashion history is so varied, you can often assemble a look from items already in your home or from secondhand shops.
By Robin Bailey
You can do a great 90s costume.
If you're preparing for a retro-themed gathering or planning a Halloween look, zeroing in on a particular decade can help spark costume choices. Below are several major themes and standout dress-up suggestions drawn from 20th-century decades, meant to get you thinking about simple and enjoyable outfits.
1910s -- Newfound Freedom Decade Clothing Ideas
During the 1910s, fashion designers began loosening the constraints on women's clothing, moving away from rigid corsets and toward softer, more ornate styles that evoke La Belle Epoque (the Beautiful Age). Because World War I took place from 1914 to 1919, an ensemble evoking early 20th-century military attire works well as a distinctive decade costume.
If you can grow the right facial hair, note that the Russian Revolution happened in 1917, and a Nikolai Lenin costume calls for little more than a pointed goatee, a receding hairline, and a decent suit. For a more playful option, or for a child, you could dress as a clock and point out that Daylight Savings Time began in the United States in 1918 -- one of the more entertaining decades to dress up as.
1920s -- The Jazz Age
The Roaring Twenties are associated with flappers, Prohibition, and the Jazz Age, as depicted in F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby. Modern men's suits are partly rooted in a style that first took hold in the late 1920s, so locating a suit reminiscent of that era shouldn't be too hard.
Flapper dresses featuring short hemlines and glittering fringe are available at vintage or retro shops. For additional fun decade dress-up ideas, costume makers can draw on the fact that King Tut's tomb was found in 1922, "Winnie the Pooh" was published in 1926, and Babe Ruth set his home run record in 1927.
1930s -- The Great Depression
Even though the 1930s were a bleak period in American history, many iconic figures from that time can be honored through costume. Bonnie and Clyde carried out a notorious crime spree in the early 30s. Infamous gangster Al Capone was jailed for tax evasion in 1931. And of course, anyone wanting to dress as a hobo enduring the effects of The Great Depression can wear a worn-out suit or a barrel with suspenders for a strong decade dress-up idea.
For a lighter approach, keep in mind that the board game Monopoly came out in 1935, and a Rich Uncle Pennybags outfit can be assembled with a top hat, tuxedo, and mustache. Children might enjoy wearing a costume of Snow White or one of the Seven Dwarfs, since the Disney animated film of that story was released in 1938. Dressing as the Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, or Dorothy also makes sense because "Wizard of Oz" premiered in 1939.
1940s -- World War II and Beyond
Although World War II began in the late 1930s, its impact was felt most strongly in America during the 1940s. A great deal of clothing was produced from synthetic materials because natural fabrics were needed for military use. Women's fashion took on a striking new silhouette, featuring broad-shouldered suits and narrow waists. For men, any military uniform from that era is a fitting choice. Zoot suits, with their wide-lapel coats and pegged trousers, were seen as rebellious due to their extravagant use of fabric. More playful ideas can come from the decade's inventions: Bugs Bunny debuted in 1940, M&Ms first appeared in 1941, and the Slinky was first sold in 1945.
1950s -- The Golden Age
The post-war 1950s are often recalled for rock 'n' roll, bobby-soxers, and greasers. Dress as Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, or Little Richard with a suit and some pomade, and everyone will recognize the decade you're evoking. A poodle skirt and cardigan sweater make for a quick bobby-soxer outfit. Wear a leather jacket, T-shirt, and rolled-up jeans for a greaser look. Kids can also have fun drawing on the opening of Disneyland in 1955, the publication of "Cat in the Hat" in 1957, and the introduction of LEGOs in 1958.
1960s -- Summer of Love
Most people remember the '60s for long-haired hippies, Vietnam War protests, and psychedelic rock. The first half of the decade was relatively conservative, with women drawn to Jacqueline Kennedy's Chanel-suit style and men wearing clean-cut mod suits and pompadours. If you have a tie-dyed shirt and a long wig, put together a hippie costume. Bug-eyed sunglasses, a pillbox hat, and Capri pants are the start of a good Jackie O. outfit. Of course, any Beatles fan can wear a black suit with a thin tie and a mop-top wig to become one of the Fab Four. Movie and TV enthusiasts might dress as an icon of the era such as James Bond, Dr. Who, or Captain Kirk.
1970s -- The Me Decade
After the idealism of the '60s "Summer of Love" came a "far out" decade of drugs, disillusionment, and disco. If you can find a leisure suit in a thrift store or your dad's closet, you have an instantly memorable 70s ensemble. Tight polyester shirts and wide-cuffed bellbottoms also make for a classic look. To celebrate '70s pop culture, dress as a character from one of the biggest titles of the era such as "Star Wars," "M_A_S*H," or "JAWS," or have fun going punk as a member of the Sex Pistols, Ramones, or The Clash.
The 1980s -- New Wave, Hip-Hop, Cold War Politics
The style of the '80s was over-the-top, with plenty of middle-part hairdos and suits with shoulder pads. In response to the excess of '70s music came the stripped-down, punk-influenced New Wave sound. Have fun dressing as a member of Devo, Duran Duran, or the B-52's.
The '80s were also the golden age of rap, with stars such as Run-D.M.C., Kurtis Blow, Grandmaster Flash, Public Enemy, and N.W.A. changing popular culture one rhyme at a time. To tap into some of the fads of the era, dress as a Cabbage Patch Kid, Pac Man fan, or Rubik's Cube. Of course the big news story of the decade was the end of the Cold War and the destruction of the Berlin Wall. For one of the best decade clothing ideas -- if you have a pin-striped suit and a good amount of hair gel -- you can try to look like President Reagan.
1990s -- Grunge, Boy Bands and Hammer Pants
The '90s didn't have one defining trend; it had several. Grunge music was personified by plaid shirts, greasy hair, goatees, and the rock icon Kurt Cobain. Boy and girl bands such as 'NSync, Destiny's Child, and the Spice Girls ruled the pop charts. The rap charts had Tupac, Biggie, the Beastie Boys, A Tribe Called Quest, Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dogg.
Some of the big news stories of the era can also make for great costumes, such as O.J. Simpson, Lorena Bobitt, Arsenio Hall, President Bill Clinton, and Michael Jordan. Of course, if you can find a pair of parachute pants and want to keep telling everyone "U Can't Touch This," an MC Hammer outfit is the way to go to complete one of the very best decade dress-up ideas.
