You’ve got a 1920s Great Gatsby party on your calendar and you need an outfit, am I right? If you’re trying to avoid the fast fashion route, but also can’t sew a single button, you’ve found your people. Read on to see how you can stir your imagination and create a sustainable, Art Deco style that’s unique and all your own.
When you think of 1920s Great Gatsby fashion, what comes to your mind first? I’m guessing it’s pretty easy to picture the flapper…and for good reason! The modern woman of the Roaring Twenties is definitely someone to admire with her confidence, vivacious style, and avant garde ideas. From accurate period pieces to replica dresses that take more of a creative license, 1920s flapper ensembles are absolutely fun and fabulous.
However, we don’t have to stick to evening dresses when creating our Gatsby costumes! Day dresses and snazzy menswear will also turn heads.
After reading, you’ll have some delightful Art Deco design ideas you can create more sustainably and on the cheap!
This post is all about what to wear for a 1920s Great Gatsby party.
This page contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase through my affiliate link at no extra cost to you. My recommendations are always items I buy or totally want to buy!
What is The Great Gatsby?
The Great Gatsby is a famous 1920s novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Set in New York during the Jazz Age, the story explores an evocative world of wealth, romance, and, of course, enviable outfits. Because of its wide appeal, The Great Gatsby has made its way to the stage and the silver screen and into vintage-inspired designs and fashion.
The glamour, lavishness, and swagger of this era are reasons it’s so popular for parties and costuming. Dressing up and dripping in jewels? Yes, please!
Moving Toward Change (And Not Just Changing Into Those Dancing Shoes)
While collecting ideas on my Pinterest board, I tried to find as many original photos of the ’20s as possible. This wasn’t only for authenticity, but to study the expressions and perspectives of the women back then. What issues were important to them? What did they struggle with? Who did they want to be?
I can imagine these women weren’t completely unlike those of us in this modern world. Most of them weren’t rich, frivolous party girls who had a closet full of dresses we might covet today. Some had jobs, others had families, and many must’ve had that renegade spirit that led to strides for women everywhere.
Remembering the Past. Reimagining the Future.
OMG, I found so many amazing ideas from the 1920s! However, some pieces like real fox wraps made my heart hurt.
I also wished to find more photos that represented all women, like our BIPOC sisters and our sisters with disabilities. Despite the fact that I couldn’t find representation for everyone, I know everyone was there. And today, we’re ALL going to pile into that group photo!
If you’re feeling extravagant, but also worried about bills, climate change, and the humane treatment of people and animals, you can still create a budget-friendly and compassionate ensemble. I’ll show you, doll!
When to Do a 1920s Great Gatsby Theme Party
Having a Great Gatsby themed event can be about escapism, learning a little history, and simply getting out of those lounge pants! Here are a few excuses for you to time travel to the ’20s (And I don’t mean 2020. Heavens to Betsy, let’s not go there!):
- Bachelorette, Bachelor, Hen, or Stag Party
- Bridal Shower
- Wedding Theme
- Birthday Party
- Date Night
- Dinner Party
- Downton Abbey or other historical miniseries or movie night
The first 1920s event I attended was a Downton Abbey viewing at a WWI museum with the local PBS community…because that’s how I like to party! Then, most recently, I celebrated my adorable friend’s Great Gatsby bachelorette. Spending time with quality gal pals? Also my kind of party!
Ways to Put Together a 1920s Great Gatsby Outfit
Shop Your Closet
Before you even think about buying your 1920s Great Gatsby dress, look through your closet, armoire, or dresser drawers. You might be able to find a simple dress or skirt you can doll up!
Monochromatic or subtly Patterned Dress with a Drop Waist
- Tie a scarf to the side around the hip area.
- Add a pearl necklace or layer necklaces.
- Pin your hair up like a 1920s girl, tuck in a sparkly hairpin, feather, or pampas grass hair clip. I’m only suggesting feathers you might already own to avoid buying unnecessary feathers that might’ve been acquired through animal cruelty. Pampas grass is a great alternative, feathery look!
- Check your shoe rack for Mary Jane flats or heels.
- Got fishnet stockings hiding somewhere in a corner of your boudoir? This is the time to wear ’em!
- As always, pile on as much sparkle as you want. The Roaring ’20s was a time to be creative and bold!
Borrow Dressy Items From a Friend
We’re all guilty of fast fashion. And instead of feeling awful about it, we can use it as an opportunity to be more sustainable! One way to do this is to see if any of your friends own a fringe-y, beaded, or sequin party dress. And yes, while some of the modern 1920s replica dresses aren’t 100% historically accurate, they ARE 100% historically fun!
Wear a Fancy dress and Make it your own
- Make your own headband by braiding strips of satin ribbon. Use bobby pins or sparkly hairpins to additionally secure it.
- Got a faux fur wrap just collecting dust? Go extra glam by adding this accessory to your ensemble.
- Keep the glitzy theme going with 1920s style makeup.
- Finish the look with some dinner gloves. (I have a pair I saved from high school choral concerts! Point is: Don’t declutter EVERY. THING.)
Faux fur is a MUCH better alternative to animal fur.
For me, it’s the ONLY alternative.
However, some faux fur comes from fast fashion,
which can include cheaper, unhealthy materials
and a workforce that might be unfairly treated.
So, what do you do?
Check into quality faux fur brands
or just skip it altogether.
(Honey, you know you’ve already got it all!)
Put a Call Out Online
One of my favorite FREE online resources is The Buy Nothing Project. Based on your neighborhood or community, you can join this private group to give and receive. Frequently check listings or put out a request for your 1920s attire. You never know what you’ll find!
Put a search out for all the accessories
- Fedora
- Boa
- Cloche hat
- Faux fur wrap
- Costume jewelry: dinner rings, tassel necklaces, sparkly earrings, pearl bracelet, fancy hairpins
- Mary Janes or character shoes
- Drawstring purse or vintage-style clutch
- Headband or hair clip
- Day dress, evening dress, or men’s attire, depending on the look you’re going for
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Get Thrifty
Ebay, Etsy, and ShopGoodwill.com are all places where you can create your unique 1920s Great Gatsby look! This is what I did for my sweet friend’s Great Gatsby bachelorette party!
Because I wanted to be as sustainable as possible this time, I went to a local thrift store and thrifted online through ShopGoodwill.com. I found three dresses online with tags on that were WAY cheaper than going to a full-price store.
And because I had a cloche hat that I was saving in the event of an emergency Great Gatsby party, I was specifically looking for a day dress. While not 100% sustainable as far as keeping my purchases to just what I needed (as in only ONE dress), I did buy three dresses from Goodwill in case one didn’t fit (and one didn’t!).
The Great Gatsby Bachelorette
Dress #1
I found a gorgeous Adrianna Papell dress for about $30, all new, with tags on. That was the one that didn’t quite fit, but it’s being saved for another occasion, after I’m hopefully a few pounds lighter. (Middle age: It’s a brute!)
This dress is stunning! So, if you’re looking for a huge deal and a more sustainable option, check out ShopGoodwill.com.
Some flappers wore a bit of fringe in the 1920s, but most evening dresses were extensively beaded. The modern fringe dresses you typically see these days are an evolution of what designers have reimagined over time. And that’s okay! I think it’s about embodying the vogue and rogue spirit of that time.
Dress #2
This dress was going to take a little imagination and creative embellishment, but I loved the simple style that resembled a 1920s sailor dress to me. To jazz this one up, I would’ve added a long, oversized black cardigan, Mary Janes, a hat, ostentatious hairpin, or scarf, and lots of jewels, naturally. This dress is a Calvin Klein and it also was new, with tags!
Dress #3
This dress was truly vintage from the 1970s, but had a drop-waist look and pleated skirt that felt like it could be from the 1920s. It also had beading and fringe on the shoulders and still HAD THE TAGS. From the SEVENTIES!
Have you heard of Woodward & Lothrop? I even asked my parents if they recalled the store…and they did! They said it was a fancy department store in Washington, D.C., where they lived many years ago. Looking at the original price of the dress, I used an inflation calculator and it estimated this dress price from the 1970s would be equivalent to over $1,000 today. Whoa, baby!
Look for art deco Jewelry lots
You can find curated costume jewelry for low prices through ShopGoodwill.com. This may be a good option if you see one or two pieces that stand out to you. Share other pieces with friends or start a craft project. Single earrings make cute wine glass charms!
Make Your 1920s Accessories
When I want to create a particular look, my usual mode of operation is to head to Pinterest and make a Pinterest board! Collect actual photos of the 1920s, study the styles, then think about how you can recreate it with supplies you can repurpose.
- Convert a cameo brooch or sparkly earring into a hair accessory.
- Got a sheer beach sarong? You could use this as a scarf or wrap.
- Attach scrap pieces of lace to your outfit to add interest.
My Final Look: A Day Dress I Wore at Night
- Vintage dress from Goodwill (online)
- Cloche hat I already owned ’cause this girl could shop back in the day*
- Art Deco inspired earrings I already owned (from Etsy)
- Faux pearls I bought in my company’s discount store years ago
- Pearl bracelet (a gift from my neighbor)
- Tassel necklace I bought for my first Gatsby-era party
- Faux fur collar I also already owned
- Fishnet stockings (already owned)
- Mary Janes (also already owned, but never wore!)
*I actually LOVE to shop, but now I’ve entered my consume less & save more era. This isn’t only to help the environment, but to save money and get more creative with gifting. If I do get the urge to spend hours in a T.J. Maxx, I’ll remind myself to check secondhand, small business, or The Buy Nothing Project first and THEN I’ll remind myself that I spent enough hours there in high school as a cashier for other people’s hauls! Hugs to you still, T.J.!
1920s Hairdo
If you have a bunch of bobby pins, just twist your hair back into some sort of up-do until it looks 1920s-ish. This is also a fine opportunity to add a sparkly hair jewel!
You could also tie a flamboyant scarf up as a headband, knot to the side, and strut into the evening like a queen.
1920s Makeup
I only did a small amount of research for 1920s makeup and mainly focused on these three things:
- Eyeliner on the upper lid
- Rosy color on the apples of the cheeks
- Bold, bow-shaped lips
Everything else was just attitude.
Don’t Throw Out Everything
I know decluttering is a big thing right now…and I agree it’s important! But do keep a few special pieces that speak to your heart. I held on to my cloche hat forever because I JUST KNEW I’d find a costume party for it.
Plus, when you’re looking for outfits and accessories, think of second uses for them and the kinds of events you like to attend. I’ve always been drawn to antique, Art Deco jewelry, so that’s what I’d buy normally. And those items can be piled on for a fancy occasion (or just sauntering through your living room!).
Final Tip: Enjoy Your 1920s Great Gatsby Event
What’s even more important than your Roaring Twenties duds is seeing you at the party, happy and having a great time! Remember, it’s about the attitude, the confidence, and the freedom to creatively be yourself.
I hope you already have some fancy schmancy ideas to inspire your next Gatsby outfit. Keep shining, lovely!
Need to remember these 1920s Great Gatsby tips? Pin it, you purdy thing!
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Love this! The idea of creating a no-sew Gatsby look is such a game-changer—especially for those of us who want the vintage glam without the hassle. Flapper vibes, sharp details, and all the Art Deco flair without picking up a needle? Yes, please!
Domii, I’m glad you enjoyed this! I love all of the handmade dresses out there, but if I tried that, it would be anything but chic! LOL. Thank you for reading!
You look cool in Gatsby style. I enjoyed looking at the pictures. I appreciate you sharing your taste for fashion.
Thank you, Jojo! I really appreciate you saying that! Fashion-wise, I’m a 1920s girl at heart! Finding antique pieces now (jewelry or even furniture) is so special. I think of all the stories attached to these historical pieces😊 I appreciate your note!