AIBU to pretend this is a flapper dress for 1920s themed party?

[dorsetdove]

I am going to a 1920s themed birthday party next month which involves looking the part. I would prefer not to have to spend money on a dress I'll never wear again. Could I get away with wearing this one that I already own, instead of the classic "flapper"-style dress? I would add a headband, gloves, beaded necklace etc. Or should I suck it up and buy a dress for my costume?

That’s dress is more typical 1930s than ‘classic’ 1920s, however this longer and more fitted style was coming in by the late ‘20s and you can lean into that. Don’t be tempted to add earlier ‘20s style accessories such as a headband and long beads, they won’t work, look instead to the slightly later style which would be short beads, long gloves (black for this colour dress, you can even skip the necklace altogether with those and instead go for a statement bracelet or bangle), maybe a matching stole and pin curled style hair with a side part accessorised with a jewelled clip or matching silk flower tucked just above the ear. Be careful with the shoes, and use as tiny a bag as you can cram your stuff into, I regularly see small modern beaded ones in charity shops that’d work perfectly.
Look at pictures of Jean Harlow in her early career for inspo. You want to go more vamp than flapper with this type of dress.
I did five years of fashion history and I’m a bit anal about this sort of thing. 😅

I'd wear it, although it does read 30's. Maybe with a cloche hat?

There’s loads on Vinted for next to nothing 👍🏻

No one is standing at the entrance and barring guests who don’t conform precisely with historical accuracy.

Fancy dress parties are supposed to be fun and as long as you’re vaguely on the right area, no one will look twice.

As can be seen on this thread, lots of posters think it looks like a 1929s dress anyway. Once you’ve accessorised it, you’ll look absolutely great - with 1920s-style accessories no one is going to notice or care that maybe the dress is slightly more 1930s.

Having said that, the Vogue article that a PP linked shows this as a 1920s dress which I don’t think yours is a million miles away from.

Wear this dress and have fun!

(On a separate note, I was just looking at 1920s style and I would love for it to come back into fashion - the women looked fabulous!)

The dress is pretty but it doesn't give 1920s vibes. It's not the length as such but a wrong cut. It should be more of a straight cut dress, unless it's robe de style, with a full skirt.

Years ago when we had a 1920s party, I used an old felt hat, with the brim removed and a vintage brooch added to the silk ribbon.

Wear if you want OP but it’s not from the right period.

I had a 1920s theme thing for hen do. What we did was say to everyone towear any nice dress or outfit they wanted too and we bulk brought some gloves and headbands for people to choose from. It looked great so id say dont over think it and with accessories it will be lovely. I agree with not spending lots on a new dress for 1 night

I went to a 1920s themed hen do, borrowed a dress from a colleague and bought some accessories.

It doesn’t look at all 1920s sorry.

But in your shoes I would wear it anyway as I wouldn’t want to buy something just for one occasion, especially in a style that doesn’t suit me!

If you want something more 1920s then Vinted has quite a few flapper dresses (bought no doubt for fancy dress parties). Or this is actually quite 1920s.

Sorry, no. That's more 1940 ish. Maybe check charity shops/ask friends.

That's much more 1930s / early 1940s than 1920s. That's cut under the bust to skim the natural waist, whereas 1920s silhouettes do the opposite of that and have a dropped waistline so the natural waist is pretty much hidden.

It’ll be fine. Unless the party is actually for fashion historians, you’ll be as close as anyone else, and no one will care.

It’s a 1930s style

Not at all 1920s style. That's got an empire waist, 1920s dresses had dropped waists. You can create the look by wearing a shapeless maxi dress and a low stung belt at your hips. Then pull the dress up to bloose over and hide the belt.

When I had to do this, I bought a flapper dress on Vinted and sold it for the same price a few weeks later.

Try doing the Charleston in it.

I went to one recently and people wore all kinds of things. The main focus was accessories, tbh.

Wear it, choose accessories carefully.

I'm pleased to read you don't want to have something bought and only used once.

I would wear a plain black dress and buy some accessories online. You can buy packs for about £10.

This.

Buy accessories and fuck it.

It doesn't matter that much.

The trouble with 1920s fashion is that unless you are flat chested and stick thin you can easily look like a sack of spuds. That dress is lovely but I'd look absolutely terrible in it. I've not got a bad figure but I have boobs.

Dropped waists are hideous on me because I'm short too.

I absolutely adore flapper dresses but they don't fit and the don't suit. I wouldn't even attempt to wear one to a party because of how awful they look.

What about a fringed devore or velvet Kimono over it. There are a few from ten pounds up in Vinted.

Completely agree which is why I said I would wear the dress she has and wouldn’t buy anything 1920s style!

I had to go to a 1920s do and just wore something I had already with added pearls and headband. Twas fine. Very few people were wearing actual 1920s style as it’s so unforgiving.

You almost never see a curvy woman in a 1920s period drama. They are all tall and elegant. Not short and with boobs.

Women in the period used breast binders and very tight corsets to try and achieve the right silhouette.

This a) wouldn't come close to solving the problem for me b) is actively dangerous.

Yes it’s fine