End of the Victorian Era

The drop-waist shift dresses of the 1920s relieved women of the last vestiges of Victorian formality. Corsets were on their way out and a less tailored aesthetic was gaining popularity. The availability of the sewing machine meant that women could easily make fashionable clothing at home so that high fashion was no longer restricted to the elite. Women felt empowered when they won the right to vote in August of 1920. The widespread use of the automobile, radio, and increased educational opportunities encouraged young women to get outside of their conventional box. They could cut off their hair and kick up their heels.