A Level History - America - Practice Exam

Which actress is known as the first "It girl" in the 1920s?

1. Clara Bow

2. Mary Pickford

3. Greta Garbo

4. Joan Crawford

The correct answer is: Clara Bow

Clara Bow is recognized as the first "It girl" of the 1920s due to her significant impact on the era's cultural landscape and the concept of "It" as a brand of glamour and allure. The term was popularized by the 1927 film "It," in which Bow starred, and it described a woman with sex appeal and charm, qualities that Bow embodied both on and off the screen. Her flamboyant persona and the successful integration of her personal style with her film roles resonated with audiences and helped shape the image of the modern flapper. As a result, Clara Bow became a cultural icon of the Roaring Twenties, representing a shift toward more liberated female identities in American society. This association solidified her status as the archetypal "It girl" during this dynamic period.