For the Debs, the Dolls, and Dames

....If you're not excited for this we can't be friends...

 I read The Great Gatsby in high school and F. Scott Fitzgerald had me at Hello... he is like Nicolas Sparks on steroids.  His poetic writing paints beautiful pictures with no need for images...BUT this film should be a film to end all films.


When I interned at Brooks Brothers in NYC last year they were preparing the Gatsby line that Brooks Brothers is currently carrying...therefore it is safe to say this hype has been around for a while

Fitzgerald often referred to Brooks Brothers in his writings as it is regarded as the ultimate-gentlemen's attire of an all-American man of distinct class.







http://www.brooksbrothers.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-brooksbrothers-Site/default/GGSearch-Show?cgid=gatsby#thegreatgatsbycollection



The appeal of a Gatsby time...

It's 1922...

...Sue Wong models in L.A


the 20's were roaring for a reason...
The passing of bustles and corsets allowed designers to approach more opportunity and freedom.



Now let's be clear...
our current general idea of a 20's look is the flapper...which did not emerge until 1926.

Before flappers...High fashion was concentrated on the richer women of society. 

"New and colorful fabrics echoed the joy felt by a war weary population following the end of hostilities."

"Hemlines rose for most of the decade but dropped slightly toward the end." 

Prints were big 
T-strap bar shoes 

Waistline dropped

Peter pan collars

Ralph Lauren




Getting Dolled up... after all you want to be the bee's knees at Jay's garden party don't you?!

Fabrics for Gatsby
Do's	Don'ts
Solids	Tie dye
Stripes, polka dots, and Simple geometrics	Hawaiian or batik - unless you've traveled there in the 20s/30s which was unusual.
Pastels and light tones	Dark, heavy tones
Florals	Any pattern with text
Patterns à la Raoul Dufy	Don't try until you really know your fabrics
Chiffon	Denim or chambray
Matte	Shiny*
* About shiny fabrics like satin and charmuese: they were used for daywear but it takes an expert to get the look right so proceed with great caution.

Gatsby Dress for Women
Do's	Don'ts
Dropped Waist Light,soft natural fabrics (silk, georgette, chiffon) Hem just below knee (longer for early '20s) Soft colors, pastels, muted prints	Evening wear, beaded gowns The "Untouchables" look -- fringed poly shift & feather boa Miniskirts
Cloche or cloche brim hat	Sequined headband
Seamed hose, tights Hose rolled at knee	Fishnets, jet black hose
Neat grooming	Bra straps showing
Accessories: shawls, clutch bag, parasols, wrapped head scarves	Cell phones, water bottles
Shoes: Lower heeled pumps, louis heels, small straps Try a "character shoe" from a dance shop TIP: Don't ruin your vintage shoes on the lawn; bring modern backups for walking	Sandals, bare legs Spike heels, pointed toes Fat rubber wide soles
Long hair: pulled back into knot at neck, marcelled into waves around face Shorter hair: curled like Clara Bow, or straight bob with bangs	Long flowing hair was for little girls only Perky Meg Ryan flips
Yes, yes, yes!	No, no, no!

Fabric Samples from the 1920s

http://www.artdecosociety.org/gatsby/htg_ladies_overview.htm



Now... if you are hooked on F. Scott Fitzgerald and haven't yet read the short story "Bernice Bob's Her Hair," you should!  This is also story a portrayl of society and its parameters.

""the bob" was reintroduced by actress Louise Brooks in the late 1920s. The hairstyles of Hollywood stars were copied by women all over the world and womens magazines carried articles on how to achieve the current look."



http://local.aaca.org/bntc/slang/slang.htm

You are now ready to be the cat's meow!--(20's slang is great) Just don't take any wooden nickels.