What Men REALLY wore in the 1920s
Oct 19, 2025
The 1920s really shook up men's fashion. Gone were those stiff, formal Victorian looks—after World War I, men started leaning into clothing that felt a lot more relaxed, a bit daring, and just more fun. Men in the 1920s wore fitted suits with higher waists, soft-collared shirts, fedoras, and casual knitwear that balanced elegance with comfort.
Forget the movie tropes of endless pinstripes and mobster getups—real 1920s fashion was way more varied and, honestly, practical. This was the decade when the modern suit silhouette took shape, but tailoring stayed sharp. Color and pattern options finally opened up after years of drab, military-inspired earth tones.
This transformation hit every corner of a man’s closet, from formal evening wear to what you’d throw on for a weekend game of tennis. The 1920s laid down a lot of the style groundwork we still see in menswear. It’s kind of wild how much fashion became about expressing yourself instead of just following the rules.
Key Elements of 1920s Men's Fashion
The decade brought big changes in silhouette, fabric, and color palettes that really set the tone for masculine style. Men started opting for looser fits and bolder patterns, but still wanted that tailored, put-together look.
Roaring Twenties Style Evolution
1920s men's fashion saw a significant shift from the stiff, buttoned-up Victorian era to clothing you could actually move in. The postwar mood was all about freedom and celebration, and it showed up in the way people dressed. Suit jackets were more fitted through the torso and emphasized the waist. The button stance dropped lower on the chest, and most jackets had two or three buttons with narrower lapels.
The "jazz suit" was a big thing with younger guys—super slim, high-waisted, almost giving that hourglass shape. You’d see slanted pockets and even decorative belts just to really show off the waist. Trousers widened out, kept that high waist, and cuffs became the new normal. The whole look was a little more relaxed but still felt sharp compared to what came before.
Popular Fabrics and Colors
Wool was still king for suits, but the fabric itself improved a lot—heavier than what we’re used to now, and with a bit of roughness that made things hold their shape.
Some go-to fabrics were:
Heavy wool for all-season suits
Tweed for country trips or casual days
Cotton and linen for beating the summer heat
Silk linings for a little luxury inside jackets
Color options finally stretched beyond khaki and brown. Men got into pinstripes, windowpane checks, micro patterns, and tweeds with some real texture. Plain fabrics were still around, but a lot of guys wanted that extra bit of visual interest. Even summer fabrics were heavier than what we’d wear now, but the overall vibe moved toward richer, deeper colors with interesting patterns woven in. It’s subtle, but it makes a difference.
Suits and Formal Attire
The 1920s man built his wardrobe around well-fitted suits with closer cuts to the body than before. Three-piece suits were the go-to for formal occasions. High-waisted trousers and certain jacket styles really defined the look.
The Three-Piece Suit
Three-piece suits stayed the standard for most well-dressed men. Jacket, trousers, waistcoat—it was the full package for business or any formal event. By the mid-1920s, you could skip the waistcoat in summer if you wanted a more casual vibe. Men could skip vests altogether and still look sharp. When you did wear a waistcoat, the cut was lower than in previous decades, so more of your tie and shirt showed. The points at the bottom were extra long and sharp.
Key waistcoat features:
Lower neckline
Long, pointed bottoms
Bottom button usually left undone
Matched the rest of the suit
Upper-class men had luxurious suits with fine fabrics, while middle-class guys wore similar looks in more affordable materials.
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Jackets: Single-Breasted and Double-Breasted
Jacket styles changed a lot in the 1920s. Early on, jackets were pretty fitted, but they loosened up as the decade wore on. Single-breasted jackets were everywhere—two or three buttons, with the buttoning spot sitting lower than in the 1910s. By the late ’20s, it dropped even further. Double-breasted jackets also caught on. Double-breasted suits gave a bit of extra flair and formality.
Common jacket features:
No back vents for a sleeker fit
Three spaced-out sleeve buttons
Silk-lined body, cotton-lined sleeves
Patterns like pinstripes and tweeds
Some early jackets had cutaway fronts, kind of a nod to morning coats, but by the end of the decade, things got more squared off and closed up.
High-Waisted and Wide-Legged Trousers
Trousers were a huge part of the 1920s look. High-waisted pants sat well above the natural waist, which gave everything that distinct proportion when paired with a fitted jacket. Wide legs started trending as the decade went on, making things more comfortable and balancing out the slim top half.
Then you had "Oxford bags"—trousers with legs so wide they could hit 20 inches at the cuff. Young guys especially loved this wild style.
Trouser characteristics:
High waist
Suspenders (braces) instead of belts
Wide legs
Cuffed hems
Thick wool fabrics
For formal suits, trousers matched the jacket and waistcoat. And yeah, they were definitely heavier than what we’re used to now.
Suit Accessories
Accessories really finished the look. Pocket squares—usually white linen or silk—sat in the jacket’s breast pocket for formal events. Cufflinks were a must for shirts with French cuffs. Gold, silver, or decorative designs let guys show a bit of personality (and maybe status).
Collar pins were everywhere. Men wore pins or clips to keep collar tips down and give the tie knot a little lift.
Essential accessories included:
White pocket squares
Gold or silver cufflinks
Collar pins/clips
Tie clips or bars
Patent leather shoes
Wristwatches started replacing pocket watches, especially after the war. And you can’t forget good leather wallets and briefcases for that polished, professional vibe.
Casual and Sporting Looks
The 1920s really leaned into comfort as men started spending more time on sports and leisure. Sports and hobbies started influencing casual wear: sweaters, knickerbockers, and easygoing blazers that let you move but still looked sharp.
Knitwear and Cardigans
Cardigans were a must for casual outings. Throw one over a dress shirt and you had a look that was relaxed but still pulled together.
Popular Knitwear Styles:
V-neck sweaters in wool or cotton
Button-front cardigans (with pockets, of course)
Cream or white tennis sweaters
Fair Isle patterns for weekends
Cardigans back then were a bit longer than what you see today, sometimes with contrast trim on the edges and cuffs.
Guys would pair these with dress shirts and even ties for a smart-casual feel—great for weekends or informal get-togethers. Wool was the staple for chilly days, but cotton and linen made appearances in summer.
Knickerbockers and Plus-Fours
Knickerbocker kind of revolutionized casual dressing. These were knee-length trousers, gathered below the knee with elastic or buttons. Plus-fours took it further, hanging four inches below the knee for an even roomier fit. Perfect for golf, hiking, or just relaxing.
Key Features:
High waists with suspenders
Tweed, wool, or cotton
Knee-high socks to match
Usually worn with boots
Patterns ranged from tweeds and checks to solids, with brown, gray, and navy leading the pack. Men often wore them with matching vests or a contrasting sweater for that classic, put-together weekend look.
Casual Elegance
The 1920s really marked the start of casual dressing that still kept things classy. Men figured out how to look comfortable without losing their style edge.
Sports jackets became everyday staples. Pair one with contrasting trousers and you had a look that worked almost anywhere.
Casual Elements:
Soft, turndown collars (no more starch!)
Lighter fabrics
Looser fits
Waistcoats optional
Weekend dressing became a thing. You could look sharp without a full business suit. Accessories like soft felt hats and leather shoes rounded things off, keeping that balance between comfort and a respectable look.
Shirts, Accessories, and Grooming
Shirts in the 1920s came with both old-school detachable collars and the new attached types. Ties, suspenders, and pocket watches (or wristwatches, if you were keeping up with the times) finished off formal outfits. Grooming was all about a clean shave and slicked-back hair, probably held in place with a good dose of pomade.
Shirt Styles and Detachable Collars
The 1920s really shook-up men's shirt styles. Detachable collars stuck around for older or upper-class guys, but younger men leaned toward shirts with soft, attached turndown collars instead. Traditional detachable collars were stiff, starched, and formal—honestly, a bit much for everyday wear. The plus side? You could swap them out when they got grimy or worn.
Attached collars started popping up more, especially in the U.S. They matched the shirt fabric and skipped the starch, so they felt a lot more relaxed. The new soft collars had longer, floppier points—no starch, no fuss. It made for a laid-back look compared to earlier decades. Collar pins and clips caught on too, helping keep collar tips in place and giving tie knots a little lift. Shirt fronts ditched stiff bibs, and most men just went for shirts with matching fabric all the way through.
Ties, Bow Ties, and Suspenders
Neckties were a must for any guy hoping to look sharp. Patterns? You'd see stripes, dots, geometrics—mostly in silk or wool. Bow ties still showed up, mostly at formal events or with evening wear. Black bow ties and tuxedos went hand in hand for the fanciest nights out.
Regular neckties came in all sorts of widths and patterns. Men liked to mix and match tie colors with their suits and shirts, sometimes with more confidence than sense. Suspenders (or braces, if you want to sound British) kept trousers up, since belts weren't really a thing with suits yet. They clipped to buttons inside the waistband and came in elastic or leather—solid colors, patterns, whatever matched the outfit.
Pocket watches still had their moment, tucked into vest pockets and swinging from a chain across the front. Cufflinks were a necessity if you wore French cuffs, ranging from plain metal to pretty over-the-top designs.
Shoes and Hats
The fedora really ruled 1920s headwear—soft felt, narrow brims, high crowns. You'd see them everywhere. But there were plenty of other hats in rotation, too: fedoras for daily life, flat caps for more casual days, top hats when you wanted to look extra fancy, and straw boaters for summer heat.
Two-tone shoes were the cool choice—brogues with contrasting leather, usually brown and white or black and white. As for specific styles, Oxfords worked for business, two-tone brogues for making a statement, patent leather for evenings out, and canvas shoes for sports. Men liked to shape their fedoras to suit their own style, never just leaving them as they came from the shop. Wide hatbands were a nice touch, too.
Flat caps gave a laid-back alternative to fedoras. The pancake-style, one-piece flat cap was everywhere—rounder and flatter than what you'd see today, honestly.
Grooming and Hairstyles
World War I gas masks influenced facial hair trends. Since beards messed with the mask seal, soldiers got used to shaving every day—and that habit stuck around once they got home. Most men stayed clean-shaven after the war; you’d spot the occasional small mustache, but chin hair was rare unless you were looking at an older guy.
Slicked-back hair really took over the 1920s. Guys reached for pomade to get that smooth, controlled look—hair combed straight back, nice and neat. Popular pomade brands gave hair that wet, shiny finish everyone seemed to chase. Usually, there was a side part, and hair was slicked down with a heavy dose of product. The side part sort of became the default. Haircuts kept the sides short but left some length on top, so you could play around with styling a bit.
Grooming emphasized polished sophistication with neat hairstyles, and regular trips to the barber were just part of life for most men who cared about their appearance. Daily shaving was the norm, especially if you wanted to look professional. Straight razors and those early safety razors were the tools of choice—though, honestly, I can only imagine the nicks and cuts that came with them.
