Ask Angie: Help with Roaring Twenties/Black tie Wedding Attire - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask Angie: Help with Roaring Twenties/Black tie Wedding Attire

Eliza

Veteran

Just when I thought I had my regular wardrobe in good order thanks largely to YLF, the invitation arrives with the evening wedding specifics. "Black tie/roaring 20's attire requested." The wedding is late May in northeast, could be anywhere from 60-85 degrees, with 75-80 likely. The weather may not be too relevant as it is indoors in a venue is urban and formal.

My husband and I are very late 50's, I am a 5'7" and legs are my best feature, with a bit of a propensity for stomach "pooch" and muffin top (size 6-8). Bust is average and generally not an issue in clothes. I am much more tailored than "frou-frou", concerned about the slender "flapper" style dresses, particularly with dropped waist (no line there, please) and don't wear dresses with a tank top shape, regardless of how elegant (doesn't accentuate the positve). If I could find a dress that was versatile and appealing outside of this one event, I would spend a few hundred dollars for the right thing. Not happy to do that if it is a one night wonder. My brown hair is a little below the shoulder, brown eyes also with fair skin. I'll have to have a false bob for the night.

I also need help for my husband, if that is within the scope of this forum. He has two great suits in charcoal grey and midnight navy solids. Don't think there is a way to dress them up to black tie standards and believe the expectation is that a nod to the twenties is stirred into the attire of all. His profession and lifestyle probably would not justify an investment in a tux at this point. He is just over 6 feet and medium build. As the wedding is for musician friends, my husband and several others will be playing music at a few key moments, though they will mostly be guests. Just makes attire that much more relevant.

Angie, thanks for your help and ideas. We are pretty lost here. I am hoping there is a way to connect some features of twenties fashion to current and readily available styles, while respecting the couple's wish for formal.

Dressing

15 replies

Latest reply was from goldenpig

Kalli

For an idea for your husband, he should just rent.

For you, I am hunting.... and contemplating...
Not all women wore flapper like dresses, the roaring 20s always overlapped with some of the before time period. If you were to bridge that with something like these:

http://www.metmuseum.org/Colle.....s/80023823
http://www.metmuseum.org/Colle.....s/80023531
http://www.metmuseum.org/Colle.....s/80054358

More for my contemplation I was reading how since clothing was super expensive and hard to make evening wear in the past was always a decade or so behind so if that is more to your body type, I would think you could wear other shapes other than the flapper.

Neelie

Veteran

Interesting theme for a wedding! Check out this website for inspiration:

http://www.thefind.com/apparel.....er-dresses

Ebay will have some too.

If you are willing to do some tailoring find a plain or beaded shift dress that you like and add a few rows of coordinating fringe where ever it looks good on you...at the hem, at the waist etc.

If all you can find is sleeveless then you can certainly use a silky shawl to cover your arms (Tie it in back so you don't have to worry about it slipping).

Good luck.

Eliza

Veteran

Thanks so much, Kalli. I appreciate your time on this and love the source of your inspiration. The middle one you posted looks flattering to most body types and is still out there now. I really look forward to amping up the accessories, shoes and hair on a more versatile dress that gives a nod to the era. Your ideas have made this less overwhelming. Gotta love this YLF community for problem solving as well as fun.

You may be right about my husband renting. That would work, though at our ages, we rarely think of it.

rachylou

Veteran

Ya, your hub should just rent... and remember, a coat with tails!

Love the Met links. Anything with a drop waist and fringe...

Eliza

Veteran

Thanks RachyLou and Nellie (cross posted with you). The rental idea for DH makes sense and the idea of adding fringe could work in a variety of ways.

Nellie, I appreciate the link which is quite interesting. I will keep my eye out for options on line. I appreciate the help getting started here.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

That sounds like such fun, Eliza

We went to a Chicago wedding 6 years ago and Greg and I dressed '20s-Style. I wore a sequin flapper and had longer short hair then. Lots of feathers and low heeled mary janes. Greg wore a pinstriped gangster suit. I vote rent a suit for hubs, as per Rachy's suggestion.

Watch the Great Gatsby for outfit ideas.

Head over to Macys for a frock that you can make look like a '20s dress. A headband, the bob, winger waves, fringe, low waistband and Bob's your uncle.

Diana

Veteran

Do you watch Downton Abbey at all? The most recent season is set in 1921 and the clothes are fantastic.

http://janeaustensworld.wordpr.....ton-abbey/

unfrumped

Veteran

You might be able to find something in separates, though that can take some shopping and collecting. By that I mean, a long, slim skirt and then you add a long-over long top that has collar/sleeves closer to what you like. Could that end up looking kind of 20's and be re-mixed with other things? Of course if you can find the right dress that is something you actually like and can accessorize, that's even better.

I always like to remind myself, it's just a party, it's not rocket surgery.
Your role as a guest is to do a reasonable job of conforming to the dress code, out of respect and to help create the fun of the day, but not to go crazy or break the bank.

rachylou

Veteran

I'm a bad reader! I see that you are concerned about the drop waist.

If you google images for 1920s fashions, I think you'll find options. The dropped waist doesn't have to be so very dropped, not to the widest part of the hips as one might think. It's also kind to the waistline, since it's the antithesis of the corseted wasp-waist. I think you'll want shininess though, for festiveness, in exchange for foofiness.

Also, you know, anything with a headband with a feather should give that 20s feel quite honestly...

Anonymous

I was going to suggest Downtown Abby too!
How fun. I hope you both have an amazing time.

Eliza

Veteran

I really appreciate all the replies. It is a fun dilemma to have, once you have a starting point. You all have given us great ideas. Love Downton Abbey and will have to review the dressier scenes. The detail on some of the clothing is so well executed.

Angie- thanks for those practical ideas and description of your attire. I am glad that it can be moderate heeled Mary Janes as I may be able to walk and dance in them. I will check out Macy's. I think the accessories and hair will make a big contribution to the look. I hadn't thought of the Great Gatsby and will re-watch it as well. Love the gangster idea, Angie. That was my first thought for H- though it's not Chicago and it is black tie...

There is a website that sells 1920's repro dresses that I will also look up for inspiration.

The idea of separates is interesting, unfrumped. I like some of those skirt outfits that might lend themselves to be dressed up.

I'll let you know how it goes. Should be a great event.
Thanks!

T-Rex

Veteran

How about something like this robe/coat worn over a more simple dress? It is so beautiful, and you can wear it long after the wedding is over.

Also, I ran across this while searching. There are probably other historical pattern sites out there as well. Maybe you could have something custom made!

http://www.pastpatterns.com/1920.html

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

You have received such great suggestions already. It is only for me to say enjoy - and please show us what you come up with!

Eliza

Veteran

Thanks for the encouragement and suggestions, T-Rex and Suz. Love that jacket. It is gorgeous and right for a lot of occasions. I didn't think of having something made, but that could be a good option if I don't luck out of the rack.

I am encouraged by some of the formal wear I am seeing on line, as it makes a bit of a reference to the 20's, which could be amped up with hair and accessories, yet still be appealing for other events. Now I just have to find something in a store that I can try on or the right thing online that isn't on backorder. I haven't bought for black tie in over a decade and I would like to find something with a bit of staying power. I'll keep you posted and thanks for the help.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Eliza for posting this thread! I am also looking for a 20's style dress--DD's school is having a fundraiser auction night next week and the theme is 20's/speakeasy. Love all the links posted above, esp the Downton Abbey one!

I found a few dresses at Nordstrom that looked somewhat 20's--not exactly authentic, but somewhat 20's inspired. Hopefully one of these will work for me.

These are the three I ordered to try on:
1. http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/le.....ltback=101

2. http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ka.....ltback=614

3. http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ad.....ltback=962

This one doesn't go with my coloring, but it may suit yours:
4. http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/pa.....tback=3906

I also ordered some head wraps to make the dresses look more 20's.
5. http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ca.....tback=7760

6. http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/or.....tback=1968

7. http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ta.....tback=6213

Hope you find something that works for you! I'll be interested to see what you come up with!

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