Make It A Gatsby Party
“I like large parties. They’re so intimate. At small parties, there isn’t any privacy.”
– Jordan Baker, The Great Gatsby
No matter the size of the party, this year, make yours a Gatsby party. I know, you’re thinking, Hasn’t this been done before? Yes, it has, many times over. Well, that’s because some things (ahem, the Roaring 20s) will always be in fashion. And here at The Vintage Woman Magazine, we’re all about fashion, of every kind. I’m referring to this as a Gatsby party because author F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife and muse, Zelda Fitzgerald, were the personification of the era. As actress Lilian Gish said, “They didn’t make the twenties; they were the twenties.” While I call it a Gatsby party, the inspiration will be all-encompassing for the 1920s, not just particular to the novel. Without further ado, allow me to provide some historical context to the period and inspiration to throw your own Gatsby party.
So, the ’20s were roaring….
What’s so special about the Roaring 20s? Despite an alcohol ban for the entirety of the decade, the twenties are known for partying. And why not? There was a lot to celebrate. With the war over, young men returned from the trenches to a new America. Electricity became widely used for the first time, providing power for mass manufacturing. Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors manufactured cars in droves, making them more affordable and accessible to the general public. White women got the right to vote. Ready to relinquish patriarchy’s chains, women sought independence and freedom in the form of employment. This independence led to a rebellion, and a new name was born to describe this new breed of women – flappers. Americans sought out entertainment in the form of radio and film. The latter of which introduced sound. Talking pictures – can you imagine?! Parties, whether discreet in speakeasies or sweeping and forthright as in The Great Gatsby, represented freedom, entertainment, and escapism. Some partied to celebrate new beginnings, others to forget the atrocities of war. But party they did.
Dress me up
Doll, if you’re throwing a themed party, you need to look the part. Let’s talk about fashion.
Clothing of the ‘20s moved into a looser shape, with a dropped waist and shorter hemlines (oh hello, gams, let me introduce you to the world!). Corsets became a thing of the past. Forget the previously idealized tiny waist and curves. An androgynous figure became the desired look. Coco Chanel pioneered this look, becoming the top designer of the period. Daywear was simple, but evening wear was elaborate. Think sequins, beading, feathers, jewels, and long pearl necklaces. Opulence was the name of the game, and the headpieces of the period demonstrate this splendidly.
Fashion your way: Use this background as a guide to selecting your party look. Short dresses with dropped waistlines are perfect for a flapper look. Or a long beaded gown would fit the theme. Unique Vintage has a plethora of beautiful 1920s inspired dresses to choose from. Don’t forget the T-Strap heels, headpiece, and a long strand of pearls to finalize the look.
Putting on the rouge
You’ve found the perfect dress (and it’s fabulous!), now let’s get into makeup and hair.
The manufacturing boom led cosmetics to skyrocket. Before this time, makeup was considered scandalous – only to be worn by stage performers and, shall we say, women of ill repute. As part of their new rebellion, women started wearing makeup regularly during the day. For evening affairs, the smoky eye was all the rage. With the discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb in 1922, Egyptian art became a defining influence of the period, including dark kohl eyeliner. The cupid’s bow was the preferred lip of the era. Women would draw outside their regular lip line to create a curved bow shape on their upper lip. Coral, pink, and dark red were the colours of choice. The face had an even complexion complemented by highly rouged cheeks.
It’s called a bob
Goodbye long tresses, hello short hair! The bob was the iconic cut of the 1920s, although it was first introduced to the public in 1915 by trendsetting ballroom dancer Irene Castle. Castle made the chop before having surgery for appendicitis, figuring maintenance would be easier. When she revealed the look in public, it was an instant hit – yet, short hair was still considered scandalous. Entering the ‘20s, women rebelled against old standards, chopping off their long tresses in droves. The shorter styles lend themselves to a more androgynous look, which was one desired effect of the flapper. The bob styles that took precedence during this time were the blunt chop and bangs, finger waves (a touch more feminine), and the Eton Crop, made famous by Josephine Baker and featured slicked-down hair.
Beauty your way: There’s no need to go out and chop off all your locks. If you’re committed to the theme, a wig could be a transformative piece to bring the look together. Or, pin your hair up to create a faux bob. Concerning makeup, have fun playing around. Maybe you don’t want to be as heavy-handed as flappers were. Makeup is unique to each person, and you can recreate a flapper look with a modern perspective.
Play it for me
A party is nothing without the music accompanying it. And, the 1920s knew music!
The ’20s were all about the uniquely American sound – jazz. Born in culturally diverse New Orleans, jazz draws inspiration from American, African, and European sounds. The Roaring Twenties and The Jazz Age are synonymous with each other. Jazz wasn’t just the sound of the decade. Jazz inspired all aspects of the era, including style and fashion.
Use these hit 1920s songs as inspiration for your playlist. Look to artists Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Duke Ellington, and Bessie Smith for more hits.
West End Blues – Louis Armstrong
The St. Louis Blues – Bessie Smith
Ain’t Misbehavin’ – Fats Waller
Makin’ Whoopee! – Eddie Cantor
I’ve Found a New Baby – Ethel Waters
Charleston – James P. Johnson & Cecil Mack
Pour me another
On January 17, 1920, after the temperance movement spent years sweeping through America, the 18th Amendment went into effect, prohibiting the manufacturing, transportation, and selling of alcohol. Enter the world of bootleggers, gangsters, and flappers meeting in their anonymous locale – the speakeasy. In the ‘20s, a drink was a drink, but gin reigned supreme. Gin cocktails were popular due to gin’s relatively easy reproduction by amateur distillers. Referred to as “bathtub gin,” cocktails of this era made an effort to mask the low quality of the alcohol.
These three cocktails were hits in the 1920s. Pick one, or make all three. After all, there’s no such thing as too much alcohol in the ‘20s. Remember, you can never go wrong with a classic glass of champagne.
The Bee’s Knee’s: gin, honey, and fresh lemon juice.
The Sidecar: brandy, orange liqueur, and lemon juice.
The French 75: champagne, gin, and lemon.
I gotta soak up this gin!
Between dancing, socializing, and drinking, you only have enough time to pop a bite in your mouth. Enter finger foods. Think, shrimp cocktail, deviled eggs, charcuterie boards, olives, nuts. Simple, easy foods are ideal for your Gatsby-themed party.
Wow, your place is the cat’s meow!
You’ve got your outfit and makeup selected, the food and drinks menu is set, and a playlist is ready – now let’s spiffy up the joint. Are you looking to go glamorous, in the likes of a traditional Gatsby party? Or do you prefer a speakeasy vibe?
If you’re going for true Gatsby style, you want your space to scream glamour. Silver and gold adornments. Champagne flutes. Crystal punch bowls. Oversize feather centrepieces. The more elaborate the decor, the better. Make Gatsby proud.
If an intimate speakeasy vibe appeals to you, you need to create a dark and moody atmosphere. Dim the lights. Light some candles. Use antique or retro cocktail glasses. You want to create an aura of mystery and inclusivity.
Let the party begin!
Now drop the needle on the Louis Armstrong album. Reach for your champagne flute. Coat your lips in a crimson pout. Put on your glad rags (fancy clothes!), and dance the night away surrounded by those you love.