Ain't No Party Like a Gatsby Party - 1920s Fashion

It's that time of the year - Christmas then the big New Year's party. There's been more than one of you who have come in looking for 1920s clothing for a Gatsby party. Thanks for coming in to the store. We can help you find the right look.

First off, we do have fabulous 1920s vintage clothing. See our previous post on our amazing vintage cloche hats. We also have vintage day dresses, some evening dresses, and art deco jewelry.

1920s velvet burnout dress

1920s velvet robe

For party attire on a budget (or without the use of excessive Spanx as you'll need them if you wear the original dresses), we can help you get the 1920s look that will stun all of your friends.

First off, a bit about 1920s fashion. I know all of you want this look:

No no no!! Wrong!

This look did not exist. It is a costume look based off of caricature of college students from the time. 

Caricature of a Flapper

These are real flappers from the 1920s:

Real Flappers from the 1920s

Scandalous, no? Well for the time, they were. They drank, smoked, and wore their skirts RIGHT ABOVE THE KNEE! Everyone else wore their skirts below or at the knee. Some of the flappers even cut their hair! Quell horror!

So what did the average person look like in the 20s?

1920s advertisement

1920s Everyday Look

For evening, there were some amazing beaded dresses in the 1920s. Again, originals are rare and they cost thousands. You also wouldn't want to wear one to a party lest you get snagged and have to watch in horror as thousands of hand-sewn beads tumble helplessly to the carpet. Fear not! Coco Chanel invented the "little black dress" or LBD in 1926. This simple black dress enabled women to go from a less formal cocktail party to dinner just by changin accessories. We have a great selection of period-looking LBDs in the store. 

To give you the real 20s look, throw on a vintage kimono. This will not only keep you warmer on cold evenings but double as a great house robe the day after your vintage party when you are lounging around in your PJs. 

1920s Embroidered Kimon

1920s Kimono-style Robe

1920s Kimono fashion

Add some solid t-strap heels or any pump with a strap and a solid heel (no stilletos! No!), some blingy jewelry, and one of our feather facinators in your hair, and you'll be set.