Gatsby attire
Rich jewel tones and soft pastels made the simplest of gowns look expensive overtime. Adding with some lavish accessories such as a diamond tiara or headband, silk shawl, feather fan, long pearl necklace, and gold arm bangles, and women looked like silent movie stars! Like the 1923 formal party dresses with no beading, sequins or fringe!
A roaring twenties themed event is one of everyone’s favorite decades to dress up for. It is both incredibly glamorous and not too difficult to find something to wear. This wasn’t always the case. When I began researching and writing about 1920s fashion there was little to choose from. Now that we are thankful to several movies and TV series set in the 1920s, twenties fashion, clothing and costumes are everywhere!
1920S FASHION
For most men, suits were the day to day attire. Striped, plaid or windowpane suits came in dark grey, blue and brown in winter and ivory, white, tan and pastels in summer. All suits had matching lapel collar vests with a pocket watch and chain dangling from inside. The dress shirt was unique with a white round or pointed collar on a colored body of stripes or light pastel solids. Men also wore hats such as the felt fedora, classy Homburg or round bowler. In summer, it was the straw boater or Panama that topped most men’s heads. For men’s 20’s shoes, two-tone Oxfords were the latest and greatest fashion, although solid black or brown cap toes were equally common.
A 20s casual sporty outfit
On the weekends, women’s clothing didn’t change. A long skirt, blouse and cardigan sweater was a common casual outfit. She might have worn beach pajamas on vacation or knicker pants, blouse, tie and a sweater vest to play golf. Men’s sporty clothes consisted of a similar look with plus four pants, tall argyle socks, sweater vest, dress shirt and newsboy cap. If he played summer sports, he might have worn white trousers with a white sweater vest like most tennis stars did.
Men’s tennis outfit
Working class men didn’t have the luxury of custom suits. Instead, they wore overalls or blue jeans with a cotton button-down shirt and canvas coat. His hat of choice was the newsboy cap or a used felt hat. Learn more about mens vintage workwear.
Men’s Vintage Workwear- 1900-1940s- striped overalls, wool flannel shirt, denim jacket, cap, gloves and sturdy work boots.
Casual women’s clothing has been turned to menswear for inspiration. Ladies could wear tall argyle socks, knickers, button-down shirt and tie and newsboy cap just like the men. Although pants were uncommon by the end of this decade. Beach Pajamas were made of wide-leg palazzo style pants and matching top. Miss Fisher Murder Mysteries uses beach pajamas quite often in the show’s costumes.