How to accessorize a sequin gown for tomorrow's Great Gatsby Ball

I will be attending a Great Gatsby themed ball tomorrow. In this video from last year you can see what the ladies wore: http://vimeo.com/44851695
The invitatation asks for 1920's themed attire, head pieces, feather boas etc.
I was inspired by the movie look in #1 and tried to somewhat adopt it.
After trying on a bunch of Sue Wong flapper-esque dresses, which were fairly unflattering on me due to their lack of waist definition, I have decided that I want a long dress, that could be from 1920's but could also be worn later for other formal occasions as I usually tend to have plenty of those to attend. I was pretty lucky to find such a dress from French Connection (#2).
Normally, with such eye-catching dress, I would tone down the rest of the accessories completely, but this case (based on the video) looks to be the one of more is more I am still quite certain that I do not need any jewelry, but feel free to suggest the opposite.
My first (and least important) question is about the choice of the silver sandals: should I go for the T-strap wedges in #3 or strappy stilletos in #4? #3 are much more comfy and look kind of 1920's, but they have a casual looking wooden wedge heel. #4 are more dressy, but less comfy. The reason that I say that the choice is not very important is that I will be changing fairly soon upon arrival into really ballroom dance shoes, hence I will be spending very little time in the sandals.
The accessories I am certain about are the headband in #5 and satin/feather clutch in #6 (close up in #7). To be honest, what I really wanted were these:
http://www.anntaylor.com/feath.....Color=9045
http://www.etsy.com/listing/15.....h_type=all
but the prices were way too high for me so I settled for something more affordable.
The accessories I am not certain at all are the feather boa and the white satin gloves (#s 8,9 and 10). I could do one or the other or both or neither. If I do decide to wear any of those they might have to come off pretty soon as they are quite likely to interfere with proper dancing. I am trying to look era appropriate but not too costume-y.
Finally, I am hoping to wear my hair in proper waved and was wondering if anyone could point me to a good online tutorial for such styling.
Thank you very much!

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12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Tanya, this is completely off topic, and I will come back to this thread ASAP. But I did wonder, do you have a need for a sleeveless silk top. Check out my thread of today in case -- although perhaps I should not offer Sveta's services on her behalf. It's just that I think this top would be amazing on you.
And she got it for me at her Costco.

Tanya

Suz, you are so kind to think of me! I have already answered on your top thread, but just in case, I am putting it here too: I would be very interested if it not too much of the hassle. Thanks again!

Sona

I love the boa and the headband. not a fan of the purse and gloves.

unfrumped

How divine you look in the gown! No gloves are needed. The boa works! Love the long languid look of it. Can't tell so.much about the shoes-- that may mean it doesn't matter. I vote for practical choice-- will you use the comfier ones more.

Susie

You look fantastic in that dress!! I think the boa works well with it, echoing the long line. I'm not sold on the gloves.

Thank you very much ladies! It looks that the boa gets a yes and the gloves a no.
Sona, I sadly do not have a different option for the purse so this one is pretty much it.

annagybe

Yeah the gloves remind more of the Gibson girl era than the roaring 20's.

Debbie

How fun! I love your choices. I like the higher heeled sandals if you can stand the height. You will be the belle of the ball.

Wow, this is gorgeous, Tanya! You look sensational. I think all the accessories are great. Can you take the gloves off once you are there if you were to wear them? That is, could you stuff them in the bag (perhaps not, as is it small). I think in terms of authenticity, they probably would have worn gloves. But if it is the spirit you are after, then it might not matter. And I think either shoe would do. I actually like the 20s look of the wedges but I suspect the heels are better with the dress, in truth.

I do not know of a tutorial for making a Marcel wave, but I would bet they'd be available online somewhere.

Good luck, and have a wonderful time!

lyn*

Wow. That dress is so beautiful, and look at your elegant leg! I love the heels for shoes ... and your headband is so beautiful.

I hope you have a splendid time!

You are STUNNING in that dress, Tanya! Since you'll be changing shoes, I'd go for the sexy heels. The headband and purse are FAB. I think the boa is fun, but maybe you'll get tired of carrying it around all night?

Not sure if these are the wave looks you're going for:
http://thebeautydepartment.com.....age-waves/
http://thebeautydepartment.com.....utorial-1/
http://thebeautydepartment.com/2011/04/ooh-la-la/
I thought this was also quite pretty:
http://thebeautydepartment.com.....t-up-girl/

Can't wait to see the final look!

bj1111

I can not wait to see the finished look!

Eliza

YLF- the purse shape and size are very in keeping withe the theme, as are the gloves and boa. Hair ornamentation with feathers, rhinestones , etc. was also typical.. Short bobs were popular and I created a faux bob with my longer hair from internet instructions for a roaring 20s wedding last month. I think it is fine to choose a few accessories that work best for you, as the dress is stunning and a couple of references to the period will take you where you want to go without being too much going on. Even when there is a theme, i prefer not to have things get too costume oriented, which involves a bit of editing at times. You look like the "cat's meow"! Have fun!

chewyspaghetti

Love it! I'd go with gloves sans boa, just for convenience sake. Have a wonderful time!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

KILLER gown!! It looks just perfect, Tanya!!! Wooohooo! So exciting and fun!!! I want to go to a Gatsby Ball too!!

Love the headband, bag and boa!! I like the gloves too actually. But I think leaving them off is more on trend for the 1920s era. You could also leave off the boa and add long strands of pearls.

Finger waves are hard to do with long straight hair. I've tried! You could wear a loose bun with the headband. Perhaps these pics will inspire you.

Have a stunning night!!! xox

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Jjsloane

You look gorgeous in this - how fun. Hope you enjoy. I'm with Angie on pearls over boa, but boa could be fun too. Please let us know what you end up with!

Thank you all so much for your input, you have been incredibly helpful!

I have decided on the heeled sandals and no gloves ( there will be a dessert buffet so chances are quite high I would end up with some chocolate on the white gloves - not a pretty look). I am still undecided on the boa - I really love Angie's idea of long strands of pearls instead but I do not have any (all my pearls are of the chunky choker type). And I do not think I have time to go look for some today - or maybe I do if I know where to look. Hmm... any ideas where I might find some inexpensive ones? No too worried about the quality.

About hair - I will probably try some simple waves like in AJ's first link. I am very bad and inexperienced when it comes to hair styling. My hair is very fine which means that you could do whatever to it but then nothing holds too long even with a lot of hairspray. Love the buns/fake bobs, but I do something like that all the time for my ballroom competitions and would like to go to a fancy event with my hair down for a change.

For those interested, here are the pics of the attempted makeup ( am much better at that than at hair):

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