La Vie Delight sells many 1920s-inspired dresses to customers for Charleston dance related events, such as Charleston parties, Charleston musicals or cabarets, 1920s style vocal bands, swing dance schools, Charleston dance competitions, and the like. The Charleston has become increasingly popular, not only at physical events, but also on social media platforms as TikTok and Instagram, where particularly the “Charleston Challenge” is very trendy.
The Charleston, that originated nearly a century ago, has indeed experienced an exceptional resurgence in recent years. That's why I thought it was time to write a blog about the Charleston in broader context, and to delve into the origins of the Charleston dance, the distinctive Charleston fashion, its rise to fame in the 1920s, and its revival in present-day culture through social media platforms and Jazz Age themed events.
The Charleston dance is a vibrant and energetic dance form that originated in the early 20th century. It has its origins in Afro-American communities, particularly in the Southern United States, where it was shaped by African rhythms and dances. Charleston, the oldest and largest city in the US state of South Carolina, is often cited as the cradle of this dance.
The heartbeat of the dance was Afro-American jazz music, and its toxic rhythms helped launch Charleston onto the national stage. The Charleston began to gain popularity in cities such as New York, where it was embraced by both black and white communities. It was particularly in the Harlem neighborhood, that the Charleston began to develop into the form that would become so popular in the 1920s.
The dance itself was characterized by rapid foot movements, swinging arms and the iconic "kicking" movements (as clearly illustrated in a Charleston dance video made by one of our customers mandi@steppingoutvintage in a La Vie Delight dress), this all in sync with the rhythm. These moves have become the signature of the Charleston dance.
Typically performed to the buoyant rhythms of jazz music, the Charleston is known for its cheerful and improvisational nature, enabling dancers to express their individuality and inventiveness. Although the dance can be performed solo, it often uses a partner or group format, adding to its interactive and dynamic appeal.
The Jazz Age: The Charleston hits the scene
The 1920s were a decade of thorough economic, social, and cultural shifts in the United States and elsewhere in the world. The Charleston dance turned up as a defining characteristic of this period, capturing the dynamism and excitement of the time.
This so-called Jazz Age was an era marked by the emerge of jazz music as a prevailing cultural force. Jazz provided the ideal soundtrack for the Charleston dance. The music and the dance were closely interwoven, with jazz musicians often playing at a rapid tempo, in this way fueling the energetic movements of the Charleston.
Jazz music at the Jazz Age Lawn Party at Governors Island, New York
The Charleston was more than just a dance; it was a cultural change. It became a symbol for breaking with the past and embracing a new modern future. The dance was a form of uprising and free expression, something for younger people to revolt against the conservative values of the generation of their parents.
The Charleston dance became an important part in the ballrooms and dance halls that were popular at the time. Speakeasies - illicit establishment that sold alcoholic beverages during the Prohibition - were also favored venues to dance the Charleston. These underground bars provided an opportunity for people to dance, drink, and socialize away from where the authorities could keep an eye on them. The Charleston, with its revolting spirit, was an ideal match for the speakeasy scene.
As the dance grew in popularity, it became a regular feature of dance competitions and social events. Dance marathons, where couples battled against each other to see who could dance the Charleston the longest, became very popular. These events drew many spectators to see if their favorites were going to make it, or when they were going to fall down, offering them entertainment for a good chunk of time.
The Charleston dress: A Symbol of Freedom
The Charleston dance wasn't just about swinging; it was also about appearance and style. In particular the "flapper" style fashion was closely associated with the Charleston dance. In fact, the flapper dress became the typical apparel for woman dancing the Charleston.
@georgie_weir567 on the stage with the Miami Dance Collective in a La Vie Delight flapper dress
The flapper dress was a drastic change from the corseted garments of previous decades that fitted tightly around the body and limited the wearer's movements. Instead, the flapper dress was characterized by its loose, straight shape and dropped waist design to enable more freedom of movement, making it perfect for the energetic nature of Charleston dancing. Most flapper dresses were sleeveless, with a hemline that reached the knee or higher, a bold choice for the time. The thin fabrics and loose fit of the flapper enabled women to swing with ease, contributing to the fluid, carefree style of the dance.
Fringes and beading were popular embroideries on flapper dresses because they gave accent to the dancer’s movement. As the dancer moved back and forth, the fringe would wobble and sparkle, creating a dynamic optic effect that reflected the lively music of the time. The flapper became closely connected to the Charleston dance, and together they embodied the spirit of revolt, liberation, and adapting modern habits that defined the 1920s.
In addition to the flapper dress, women dancing the Charleston often wore accessories such as headbands with feathers and cloche hats. These accessories contributed to the captivating and cheerful aesthetic of the dance. Short, cropped hairstyles were also popular among flappers, reflecting a protest to the traditional femininity and an adoption of new ideals.
The flapper dress and its accessories were not fashion statements only; they were symbols of a new era of independence for women. The Charleston dance allowed women to express their newfound liberation, both in style and movement.
The 2020s: A return to the Roaring Twenties
Although the Charleston dance reached its climax in the 1920s, it never really went away. The dance has seen several revivals over the decades, and in particular in the 2020s, the Roaring Twenties has made a significant comeback, with many people enjoying again the music, dance and fashion of the era.
This rebirth of the Charleston has been sparked by an aggregation of factors, among which the centennial of the 1920s, a growing passion for vintage fashion, and the romantization of the Jazz Age by the entertainment industry, such as in the "The Great Gatsby." As a result, Roaring Twenties themed parties and events have become increasingly popular, and the Charleston dance is often central to these happenings.
World’s original and most authentic Prohibition-era-inspired gathering on NYC’s Governors Island
Today’s parties typically feature décors, clothing and music that reflects the Roaring Twenties scene, with participants encouraged to wear flapper outfits, pinstripe suits, and other 1920s-inspired costumes. At most events, both seasoned dancers and novices can be seen on the dance floor. The Charleston dance is a perfect fit for these happenings, as it captures the cheerfulness and easygoing spirit of the 1920s.
Organizing a Roaring Twenties event is also a great and fun way for fundraising to help communities or for other good causes. A good example is the Gangsters, Grifters & G-Men event that took place at The Spice Factory in Hamilton in 2023 in support of the Alzheimer’s Society in Canada. Watch this video from mandi@steppingoutvintage to see how the guests enjoyed this Jazz Age event, while contributing to a good cause.
What makes the Roaring Twenties parties so special is the presence of live music. Many of these events feature jazz bands that perform music from the 1920s, providing an authentic musical arrangement for the evening. The playful rhythms and surprising beats of jazz music are a perfect match for the Charleston dance, and the mix of dancing and live music creates an ambience that is both exciting and nostalgic.
Gatsby-themed parties, swing dance gatherings, speakeasy nights and other Roaring Twenties inspired events have become increasingly common nowadays, particularly in major cities. At these events, the Charleston dance is often the most exciting part of the evening, with participants trying to grasp the dynamic footwork and experiencing the joy of a bygone era.
As dancing the Charleston has become increasingly popular in the 2020s, quite a number of dance schools have sprung up with a focus on teaching this iconic dance style. Charleston dance schools can be found in many cities around the world, offering a variety of workshops and classes for both beginners and advanced dancers who want to improve their technique.
Charleston dancing is fun as can be seen in this photo (dress from La Vie Delight)
The revival of Charleston dancing has also resulted in a surge of Charleston dance competitions. In these competitions, dancers can show their expertise and creativity, while at the same time honor the grand history of the dance. A noteworthy competition is the Charleston Dance-Off, which takes place in a number of cities across the United States.
The Charleston Dance goes viral
One of the main reasons for the Charleston’s revival is its versatility to modern social media trends. The easy yet energetic movements of the Charleston dance are ideal for short, captivating clips that do well on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. In the digital world of today, social media platforms play a huge role in defining new cultural trends, and in this case these platforms contributed to bring the Charleston dance to life again.
Through these social media platforms, the Charleston dance now has reached a new audience, in particular younger people who may not have been acquainted with Charleston’s historical roots. The TikTok dance culture has become successful on routines that are simple to learn and adaptable to perform on video, and the Charleston dance fits that bill. Almost everyone can pick up the basic Charleston moves quickly and feel like they belong to a global trend, contributing to why the dance has gained in popularity in recent years.
Swinging back to the 1920s with flapper vibes! Ready to join the Charleston challenge?
In particular, TikTok's “Charleston Challenge” has become increasingly trendy. Users are continuously encouraged to show their own interpretations or variants of the classic Charleston moves. Many have responded by posting videos of themselves dancing the Charleston on contemporary music. These postings often shows a personal mix of classic Charleston moves and current dance styles, illustrating the dance’s adaptability and enduring attractiveness.
Another reason the Charleston has become trendy in this digital era is the fusion of the classic dance moves with modern music. Mixtures of 1920s jazz with modern beats give the Charleston dance a new feel that speaks to the imagination of today’s audiences. This mashup of classic and modern music makes the Charleston attractive to people who otherwise might not be interested in jazz or swing music.
Combining elements from the 1920s jazz music and todays beats has enabled the Charleston to rise above its historical roots and become a part of todays dance culture. And it also helped bringing the older and newer generations together, with older dancers acknowledging the past and younger people enjoying the modern twist.
It is all about fun, exercise and freedom
At its core, the Charleston's resurgence and its continuing popularity can be accredited to three underlying factors: fun, exercise, and freedom. First of all, dancing the Charleston is fun. Its upbeat rhythm, dynamic movements, and sense of improvisation make it a fabulously joyful dance. In contrast to some more formal and rigid dance forms, the Charleston stimulates spontaneity and personal expression, allowing people to move freely and enjoy themselves without being troubled about perfection.
@sydneyswingkatz with The Felinez doing the Charleston Challenge, all in dresses of La Vie Delight
This sense of fun is inspirational. Whether swinging in a ballroom, at a Roaring Twenties theme party, or on social media, the Charleston dance has a cheerful dynamism that makes it difficult to resist. In a world that can often feel overwhelming, the Charleston dance offers a temporary break free, transporting the dancers back to a period where people lived lighthearted and untroubled.
A second and major reason for the Charleston’s revival is its value as a form of workout. Dance has long been acknowledged as a powerful exercise to stay fit, and this is particularly the case for the Charleston dance with its quick kicks, spins, and jumps. Many people are drawn to the Charleston as a manner to move their bodies, burn calories, improve endurance, and get better balance without having the idea that they are doing a traditional workout. It is a great exercise for people looking for fun and social ways to remain active.
And thirdly, unlike most choreographed dance forms in which each move of the dance has been specified, the Charleston allows for a great amount of spontaneity and improvisation. Of course, there are fundamental steps to learn, but once the dancer has mastered these basics, they are free to make their own interpretation of the movements.
This freedom is particularly attractive for younger dancers who are interested in forms of self-expression that are less limited by rules. The spontaneous nature of the Charleston dance means that anyone can make their own dance by adding creativity and a personal touch to their dancing.
Conclusion
The journey of the Charleston from the speakeasies of the Roaring Twenties to the social media platforms as we have them today has illustrated that the attractiveness of the dance is timeless. Its catching rhythm, cheerful energy, and versatility have enabled the Charleston to bridge the generations gap and to transcend cultural shifts, making it as relevant today as it was an age ago.
Whether the Charleston is danced at a Roaring Twenties party, in a video on Tik Tok or in a dance class, it continues to attract dancers with a mixture of joy, fitness, and freedom. The love for the Charleston dance shows that some things in life - such as the fun of dancing - remain timeless.
Check out La Vie Delight’s wide selection of Charleston and swing dance dresses. Find your perfect dress for your Jazz Age party, dance group, cabaret, vocal group, or any other Roaring Twenties occasion. All dresses are made to order …. just for you!