Sunday 4 May 2014

A Gatsby Party Dress: Flappers Have More Fun


I had been yearning for a flapper dress for years, literally years.  Ages ago, when I heard The Great Gatsby was being remade I was excited because I knew the fashions would eventually trickle down into high street fashion.  It was a long old wait though, most of the flapper dresses that appeared on the high street were high end ones, with huge price tags (you could honestly have bought an ORGINAL 1920s dress for the price of some of them in John Lewis!).  A few low end dresses appeared too, but they were disappointing.

Finally, my wait was over when I picked up this stunning dress from Promod, reduced from £70 down to £15.  Bargain!  It's not the fanciest of dresses, but the embellishment is lovely, I love the loose cut, and it was in my budget.

Gatsby dress

A flapper also needs a good pair of dancing shoes.  I stalked these Bertie shoes for about a year as well.  They were originally on sale for £75, but I wasn't prepared to pay that.  I got them from the Dune outlet store on Ebay for £45, but a word to the wise - if you go to the sale section of the main Dune website here, you can pick them up for £37!  Even cheaper.  And they come in black too.

Gatsby dress
Dress: Promod, Shoes: Bertie, Backseam fishnets: Jonathan Aston, Headband and sparkly hairclip: Accessorize, Makeup: No.7 at Boots 'Art Deco' collection

For my flapper hairstyle, I followed this superb tutorial by Missy Sue. What do you think?  Pretty simple and effective.  It took me no time at all, though I played around a bit with it to get it exactly how I wanted it.  A word of caution for anyone attempting this hairstyle - make sure that your headband is snug, but not tight.  This headband was atually a tad tight, and I had to take it off towards the end of the evening.

Gatsby dress

Gatsby dress

flapper montage

It's not my birthday until Thursday, but I thought I'd get a headstart on the celebrations by having a joint party last night with my other half, who celebrates his birthday 6 days before mine.  Usually at parties I never have any photographs of myself so I was determined to capture this look before I started on the prosecco.  The party was wonderful, and the garden was lit up magically by lanterns and flares and fairy lights everywhere.  It was like being at End of the Road Festival!  I'm very delicate today and am sat on the sunny front porch in a nest of cushions, sipping water.  But I can confirm that yes, flappers do have more fun.

Have you tried out a Gatsby look?  Would you wear it in 'real' life or leave it for fancy dress??

I hope all of you are having a wonderful weekend!

garden lights

Linkups:

47 comments:

  1. I've never been able to pull off this look, but looks fav on you! And those shoes are lovely - and a massive bargain! Well done! Happy birthday for Thurs (we nearly have the same birthday - mine's tomorrow!) CC x

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    1. I never thought I would be able to pull it off either, but pushing myself out of my comfort zone worked on this occasion! Just seen your Paris post and commented on it, lucky girl. P x

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  2. You look simply spiffing darling. I'm glad to hear you partied in birthday style. Have a great day thursday.

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  3. You look absolutely stunning. I love Flapper dresses too as well as everything else "Gatsby". Xxx

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    1. Aw thanks Lizzy! Yes I am a huge fan of Gatsby stuff too! P x

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  4. P,
    It's such an amazing dress, and the detailing is precisely done to enhance the look, but not overpower.. so jewels could be worn with it. Naturally, I must say: you're a looker in it! :)

    Hug
    Marija

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    1. Aw thank you, you'll make me blush saying things like that though! P x

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  5. Love this look. I think this might be my favorites of all your looks since I've started following you. The dress, the hair, the shoes... all are wonderful! I love 1920's style. I have yet to get a dress of this style to call my own. I think when/if I do get one it may be only fancy dress (even if just a fancy dinner) as I would definitely want a dress with lots of sparkle and beading. Well done! and Well done with finding all these items on sale!

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    1. The perfect one is probably out there somewhere waiting for you, you just have to find it! I can't wait to see pics if it does turn up... P x

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  6. I love it! You look so fabulous! I bet your party was a blast and happy birthday coming up! (:

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    1. Thanks lovely, honestly your hair tips *saved* this look, so grateful! P x

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  7. Happy Birthday!

    And fabulous outfit! I totally dig it!

    As for myself, I wore a real 20s dress for the Gatsby midnight showing, and wore a 20s styled outfit for a friend's party. But that's about it. Though I will admit I want to integrate parts of flapper looks into my everyday style.

    xoxo
    -Janey

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    1. Thank you so much Janey! I'll have to dig through your blog and find a pic of you in the real '20s dress! P x

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  8. I like the beaded details on the dress! Cute post! :)

    I want to invite you to enter my blog's #HopeForMoms Giveaway (total giveaway valued at $810!) All you have to do is write a #HopeForMoms status which will be shared with mom survivors of human trafficking through International Princess project. :D Check out more details at my blog!

    God bless,
    Christine
    www.beyoutifulhope.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you so much for stopping by Christine! I read your blog article, what an important topic, and that's fabulous what you're doing to support the project. Best of luck with it.

      P x

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  9. You look magnificent! I love your beautiful flapper dress, the sparkle details are amazing! Your hair is just perfect for the look!

    Rebecca
    www.winnipegstyle.ca

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    1. Thank you so much Rebecca! The hair style was such a great find, I urge you to check out Missy sue! P x

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  10. That is a fantastic dress! Very jealous :p

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  11. This dress is so perfect for you - shape, style, colour. I love the way you have styled it with those gorgeous shoes and fishnets and the great hairband. Like another commenter said, I think this might be my very favorite of all your outfits. I hope you had a great party. Kx

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    1. Thanks K, I certainly did have a super party!! Thanks so much for stopping by. P x

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  12. Hi Porcelina, I am Ada.

    I found your blog via the Style Elixir Link up. I love that you are into Vintage Styles. This retro 20's dress is beautiful and suites you so well. I love that you wore fishnets too. Your hair-pieces and shoes were perfect to this.

    And Happy Almost-Birthday! Mine was on May 4th.

    Enjoy the rest of the week. And I welcome you to check out my blog. <3 Ada.

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    1. Hello Ada, thank you so much for stopping by and your sweet comment!

      I have found your blog through a few style linkups now, seems our paths keep crossing! Looking forward to seeing more of your outfits. P x

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  13. I absolutely love your look and the dress looks quite much like it's vintage even though it's not.
    I haven't worn 1920's style, because I'm more into 50's, but I guess I could wear it everyday and not just for fancy parties. I'm the type that loves "glamour" in everyday life. :)

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    1. Yes, glamour in everyday life, that's what I love too! Just found your gorgeous blog, will start following you immediately! P x

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  14. You look lovely as a flapper!! So happy that you were able to find these shoes for a great price!!
    Happy early birthday pretty girl! I hope your day is awesome!!

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    1. Aw thank you Shea! And yes, a bargain does make me happy! P x

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  15. I adore the look - fishnet tights included.
    I have a blue flapper dress that I have not worn in a while… now that I think of it I need to !

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    1. Of course, get that flapper dress out immediately!! Thanks for stopping by. P x

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  16. What an impeccably styled ensemble for what sounds like an absolutely splendid birthday celebration! I love the 20s look, but just can't pull it off in daily life, it feels too costume-like to me!

    Happy birthday!

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    1. I think it's a tough one for a lot of vintage lovers, I am really new myself to doing anything '20s. Thanks for stopping by x

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  17. Happy birthday for Thursday! May this be the start of a jolly glam year for you.

    I love the 20s, but wore it more when I was younger (and thinner!). I did get a fantastic dress based on a 1920s tennis dress in the Hobbs sale, but have yet to wear it anywhere. I'd also love a pair of 20s beach pyjamas for slouching around in.

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    1. Now you're talking, 20's beach pyjamas sounds amazing!! I'll have to start browsing Pinterest and see what I can find.... P x

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  18. Glad that the wait paid off in this lovely dress! The 20s certainly did have their own distinctive fashions!

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  19. You look beautiful. Yes, i have tried a Gatsby look. It was a blast! I love your dress. So much!

    Jenni

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    1. Cheers Jenni, I think it does something to one's mentality going a bit Gatsby?! P x

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  20. What a beautiful dress! Flapper style is really pretty and cool. I loved reading the backstory of how you waited for a dress you like in your price range and the shoes too. They are adorable! Happy Birthday, hope it's a good one! XOXO, Elif

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    1. Thank you so much Elif! It seems I have more patience than I think when it comes to clothes?! P x

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  21. You are stunning in this outfit. So vintage and so perfect! Thanks for linking up...love your style!

    ~Whitney
    www.whitneynicjames.com

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    1. Thank you Whitney, the linkup was great for finding new blogs, some really lovely looks that people put together. P x

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  22. How funny, I have pinning 20s style on Pinterest, for a party I am attending on Saturday. That dress looks stunning on you.

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    1. I hope you got the inspiration that you were after and that the party was fun! P x

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  23. You look stunning! I love flapper dresses, and bought one a couple years ago from Asos that I wore to a Christmas party. But I've never managed to master the proper hair style to go with it. Your entire look is flawless!

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    1. Ooo a flapper on a farm would be a good photoshoot, you'll have to recreate your party look! Thank you so much. The hair was so easy-peasy, do check out the tutorial over at Missy Sue, she's amazing. P x

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