Trend alert: dressing for the twenties

As the excitement builds for the release of Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby on 10^th May of this year, we thought it would be fun to unearth some of those 20s accessories that can add a little class to any outfit.

Headbands

The simplest way to 20s-up any outfit is to add a headband. Mulligan rocks a fairly casual headscarf, but in terms of eveningwear the more sparkly the better. Feathers and diamonds both made a huge bang during this era, so why not pop down to Accessorize and try the look out yourself? We’ve found a solid favourite in this Flapper Head Band from ASOS. 

Glitz & Glamour

As mentioned, the girls of the 20s loved their sparkle. Razzle dazzle was all the rage during a time where luxury and riches were things to be shown off. Copy the look by finding a flattering dress with a dropped waistline and adding some glitzy jewellery. Failing that, check out this Deco Embellished Dress from ASOS. Job done!

T-bar Court Shoes

T-bar shoes were a real staple for footwear in the 20s. Skirt hems had soared up and away from the ankles, meaning that suddenly, footwear got a whole lot prettier. The heels weren’t sky high either, so look forward to a far more comfortable evening if you choose to don a pair of these beauties. We’ve found a scrumptiously modern take on the trend in New Look’s Ravel Party Sandals but there are plenty of T-bar pairs out there for daywear too.

Pearls

Last but not least, the classic strings of pearls. Again, this was a sign of luxury, and they were used to adorn everything, from hats, to dresses and limbs! The classic look entails a long string of pearls draped around the neck and tied in a knot, but if you’re looking to modernise the trend, why not try something along the Daisy Buchanan line and try them in dainty hand harness form, like this Pink Pearl Trio piece by Miss Cellany.

So there you have it! Next time you’re getting ready for a lunch date or even a cheeky night on the town, stick some Paul Whiteman on and have fun dabbling in the 1920s!

Elizabeth Finney