A quick guide on how to dress 1920s flapper style.

Posted by Flapper Boutique on May 10th, 2021

In the world of fast-moving fashion, if a trend lasts a season, it is considered a success. With this thought in mind, the staying power of the flapper dress appears more remarkable.

This distinctive style of dress dates back the Roaring 20s when style rules were relaxed without compromising style. Fast forward 100 years to the 2020’s, the flapper dress is still a fixture on the fashion scene. On any roaring twenties occasion, it is the life and soul of every party or event.

Let us explore the necessities on what you will need to pull off this timeless fashion statement:

1. Flapper Dress: Think stunning art deco patterned dresses with shimmering arrays of beads, sequins, and fringes. Dress lengths include short, knee and floor length, with knee being the most popular.
2. Flapper Headband: The number 1 most important accessory and in some cases the only accessory required to complete a flapper outfit. Think feathers on sequin bands that embellish sparking motifs of beads and crystals. Additionally, a little more on the expensive style, a jewellery style headband (like what Daisy Buchanan wore in The Great Gatsby) simply electrifies a flapper outfit.
3. Long Gloves: Simply, nearly always a must, are a pair of long gloves that rest at the elbow. Long gloves will compliment nearly all flapper style dresses except those with sleeves. Long black gloves will compliment all coloured dresses except for white dresses. Long white gloves will compliment white coloured dresses.
4. Jewellery: Is mportant to remember that the flapper dress and secondarily headband must remain the centrepiece of your outfit. If you are wearing a dress that features a strong pattern of beads and sequins, then its best advised to simmer down on wearing a lot of jewellery. If you must than think drop style earrings featuring faux gems or pearls. Rings think gems, pearls and the odd diamond. On a plain coloured fringe style dress then a faux pearl necklace (strands of beads or lariat) would complement the outfit.
5. Shoes: Think T Strap high heels on the daintier side with closed toes and a supportive heel. Black in colour for nearly all dresses except white or beige. When wearing a dress in a shade of white then white or beige colour heels are recommended.
6. Hair: The bob is mostly associated with the roaring twenties. We are going to recommend against this style and opt of waves. Either short or long it does not matter and depends on your own hair length. A waved hairstyle will compliment a headband and is 10 x more glamourous than a bob. All Things Hair has an amazing blog post with inspirational images of glamourous Great Gatsby hairstyles. In our opinion its worth checking out.

There is a special mention to shawls, but as they can be quite expensive. Additionally, we do not recommend feather boas. It does not matter how expensive they are, they will leave a trail of feathers in your wake!

In summary, our biggest piece of advice is to make sure you do Flapper Style glamorously. Additionally, shop around and go for quality flapper dress over what would seem best price. Lastly, as the biggest catalogues of flapper dresses are online, use a reputable retailer that not only has good reviews but can be contacted by phone.