All That Jazz

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Modelling black lace underwear sets me pondering about what was sexy in the flapper era.

The lace  of this bralet is so sheer, I needed to use gaffer tape to disguise my nipples, which (oddly) made me think of the flapper style of the 1920/30s. In that era my figure would not have been in fashion, although my bobbed hair would. Back then, girls with flat chests were a la mode and bras were not supportive. Long strings of jet and pearl beads hung better against a flat chest.

The fashionable lingerie at this time was very flimsy, like this pretty lace set. Part of their rebellion was to eschew the tight and constricting corsets and bodices in which women had been trussed up and hampered by until then.

Ladies wore silk stockings, but instead of them being held up by garters, they rolled them down to dance and rouged their knees. This was considered racy! For the first time skirts were short enough to show girls’ knees when they were dancing, so you have to assume it set the pulses racing of the opposite sex.

Like the song “All That Jazz” suggests, “I’m going to rouge my knees and roll my stockings down”.

Why a rosy knee would be sexy escapes me! It was more a statement of “look at me!” Make-up is historically used to make women look post orgasmic (a rosy glow to the cheeks: blusher, lips stained red: lipstick) so the rouged knee trend leaves me puzzled.

In the current ‘stay at home’ lockdown, why not indulge in some films which celebrate the fashions and attitude of the Jazz era:

Thoroughly Modern Millie 
Some Like It Hot
The Great Gatsby (either version, but a lot more was spent on the costumes of the Baz Luhrman one)
Chicago
The Gangster Squad

For sexy reading set in the 1920s jazz era visit Lascivious Lucy‘s site
and search the tag ‘Flapper Erotica’ to read her series The Diary or The Seance

Also Isabelle Lauren’s book The Insatiable Jane Travers about a young girl discovering her sexual drives and identity is set in this era where morals were changing, get your copy here.

For further reading matter from this decade, I recommend:

The Great Gatsby – F Scott-Fitzgerald

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe – Fannie Flagg

Twenties Girl – Sophie Kinsella

The Diviners – Libba Bray

The Debutante – Kathleen Tessaro

…  more about some of these books will follow in a post for #BookMatters

 

 

Originally shared for Violet’s fun, inclusive meme #LIFE, I have up-dated this post for #WickedWednesday week 410

 

25 thoughts on “All That Jazz”

  3. Floss

    The image is gorgeous and I love the thinking behind the words too. For New Year’s Eve one year, long before my adventures in kink I wore a very flapper-esque dress and I must admit I felt absolutely fabulous. I felt playful and compelled me to the dancefloor because it was a dress that was perfect for dancing in. I think rouged knees and rolled down stockings would make a perfect photo opportunity for either #LiFE or #SinfulSunday! You may have inspired something here Posy 🙂 I wish I still had that dress! x

    Reply
    1. p0sy

      Thanks Floss – yeah, I went to a ‘Gatsby’ party when I was 18, I felt very glamorous too (that was before the latest version of the film which had Dior costumes) I’d love to do it again. Thanks for the supportive comment X

      Reply
  4. Jupiter Grant

    Sexy and educational! I’ve always wondered about the rouged knees and stockings rolled down. I figured the stockings was a sexy reference, but red knees? Hints of having been down on one’s knees for various reasons, perhaps… ?

    Reply
    1. p0sy

      Ha ha – a typical sex blogger’s train of thought!
      Apparently even the bulge of the rolled down stockings was sexy, hinting at the bare legs above! Skirts (even mid-length) had never been so short – and what about those dresses with fringeing? Those flappers were wild!

      Reply
  5. violet

    gorgeous set and I love the reference to the song – I’m with Jup – rouged knees had to have been a nod to getting down onto one’s knees. The flappers were such an interesting example of the expression of sexuality in an era that was not ready to really talk about sexual expression. I love that the cheekiness and playfulness of that era is still en vogue these days.

    Reply
    1. p0sy

      Ahh Violet thank you. Yes there was an explosion of sexual expression in that era, throwing off old constraints and exploring new ways. They just felt very glad to be alive I think.

      Reply
    1. p0sy

      Thank you for the ego-boost May. I had real silk stockings when I was 17/18, my mum gave me hers. I confirm they are super smooth and glossy, but you get baggy knees cos they don’t have the stretch! xx

      Reply

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