13 Ways to Inject the 1920s Into Your Style Today
What Zelda Fitzgerald would wear in 2017.
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There's a cyclical nature to fashion that ensures basically everything will come back around at some point, but certain decades have a staying power that ensures they never really fade away. The 1920s—an era that mixed opulence with pieces that were both androgynous and dramatically feminine—is one such sartorial stalwart.
Easy access to style inspo has arrived via Amazon's Z: The Beginning of Everything, streaming online as of this month. Christina Ricci's Zelda Fitzgerald is the original flapper, bold, brassy, and undeniably into style (a turbulent marriage to F. Scott Fitzgerald provides some screen-worthy drama, too). Here, a modern take on how women like Zelda remix the best of '20s style for today.
The Shape of Things
Loose fits, drop waists, and slightly flared skirts felt daring in the '20s. The shape feels a little retro now, but still reads just as chic.
Valentino dress, $4,250, valentino.com; IRO Ashville Jacket, $1,200, iroparis.com; Dolce & Gabbana shoes, courtesy of Albright Fashion Library; Baker & Black Sandro Day to Night Earrings, $4,500, bakerandblack.com; Aurelie Bidermann Caftan Moon Ring, $230, aureliebidermann.com; Aoko Su Two Moons Ring, $225, aokosu.com; Tuleste Enamel Channel Rings, $50, tuleste.com
Crowning Glory
The modern version of over-the-top headpieces that sat directly on the forehead? High-wattage headbands.
Dolce & Gabbana Embellished Crystal Headband, $3,245, dolcegabbana.com; Bally Orange Punch Sleeveless Dress, $2,395, bally.com; Tuleste Enamel Channel Rings, $50, tuleste.com
Shimmer and Shake
Flapper's fringe has been reinterpreted with mod-feeling materials like metallic plastic plating.
Phelan Metallic Carwash Asymmetrical Tank Dress, $3,900, and Metallic Carwash Short Sleeve Gown, $4,675, available upon request; Bally Emelye Shoes, $395, bally.com; Jennifer Fisher Brass Silver Interlocking Smooth Circle Earrings, $315, jenniferfisherjewelry.com; Alexis Bittar Liquid Ring With Neon Enamel Accent Lucite, $175, alexisbittar.com; Simone Rocha Shoes, courtesy of Albright Fashion Library; Karine Sultan Lina Waterfall Earring, $51, karinesultan.com; Lady Grey Crystal Silhouette Ring, $168, ladygreyjewelry.com
Flashing Lights
After a period of austerity, style felt fun in the '20s. The same vibe affects today's finishing touches, loose waves, and attention-demanding nail art.
Phelan Metallic Carwash Asymmetrical Tank Dress, $3,900, and Metallic Carwash Short Sleeve Gown, $4,675, available upon request; Jennifer Fisher Brass Silver Interlocking Smooth Circle Earrings, $315, jenniferfisherjewelry.com; Alexis Bittar Liquid Ring With Neon Enamel Accent Lucite, $175, alexisbittar.com; Karine Sultan Lina Waterfall Earring, $51, karinesultan.com; Lady Grey Crystal Silhouette Ring, $168, ladygreyjewelry.com
A Layered Approach
A sequin dress, wrap coat, and dramatic fur shawl are party staples from a bygone era that still feel right today—especially paired with sneakers.
Diane von Furstenberg Tailored Sequin Dress, $1,300, dvf.com; Jacket and Fur Stole, Diane von Furstenberg; Rebecca Minkoff Michell Sneaker, $175, rebeccaminkoff.com; Stephen Webster Deco Haze Long Finger Ring, $16,500, stephenwebster.com
Spangles and Shine
Sequins, sparkles, and flirty fringe never hurt a cocktail dress. Old-school finger waves feel current when combed through and paired with a loose ponytail.
Naeem Khan Red Fringe Beaded Dress, $6,990, naeemkhan.com; Manolo Blahnik Campari Mary Jane Pumps, $375, saksfifthavenue.com; Baker & Black Ruby Mollusk Stud Earrings, $1,700, bakerandblack.com; Lynn Ban Monogram Ring, $3,000, and Pave Shield Ring, $3,500, lynnban.com; Delfina Delettrez Star Piercing Ring, $982, matchesfashion.com; Alexis Bittar Sculptural Wood Grain Ring With Neon Enamel Accent, $225, alexisbittar.com; Mulberry Lauren Dress, $3,995, mulberry.com; Prabal Gurung Sky, Porcelain and Azure Intarsia Saga Shadow Fox Shawl, available upon request; Sophia Webster Lilico Mid Sandal 60, $550, sophiawebster.com; Jennifer Fisher Brass Silver XL Smooth Bend Earrings, $285,
Pearls of Wisdom
Long loops of pearls are a major part of the flapper caricature. Wear them in (slightly) smaller doses today with statement earrings and gobstopper rings.
Dolce & Gabbana Sequined Payette Dress, dolcegabbana.it; Amandina Sphere Line Earrings, $225, amandinajoyeria.com; Sarina Suriano Sagittarius Astris Ring, $130, sarinasuriano.com
Long Lines
After liberating '20s style plates from constraining, strictly tailored garments, free-flowing shapes have never left the scene. For a millennial touch, top with a moto or denim jacket.
Hellessy The Ravena Dress, $1,580, modaoperandi.com; Acne Studios Meyer Jacket, $1,800, acnestudios.com; Kaanas Tatacoa Sneakers, $119, kaanas.com; Eddie Borgo Token Chandelier Earrings, $250, eddieborgo.com; Baker & Black Sandro Cuff Bracelet, $3,500, bakerandblack.com; Creatures of the Wind Deves Dress, $995, saksfifthavenue.com; Levi's Authentic Trucker Hat, $79.80, levis.com; Pierre Hardy Slider, $625, pierrehardy.com; Fallon Monarch Pearl Leather Wrap Choker, $350, fallonjewelry.com; Lynn Ban Triangular Ring B, $5,700, lynnban.com
Rose Red
The decade's imitable beauty look focused on just-bitten lips and defined brows, both of which look right at home with today's less-is-more aesthetic.
Phelan Metallic Carwash Asymmetrical Tank Dress, $3,900, and Metallic Carwash Short Sleeve Gown, $4,675, available upon request; Jennifer Fisher Brass Silver Interlocking Smooth Circle Earrings, $315, jenniferfisherjewelry.com; Karine Sultan Lina Waterfall Earring, $51, karinesultan.com
Deco'ed Out
Oversized paillettes in a rainbow of colors capture the same devotion to decadence that marked the '20s.
Dolce & Gabbana Sequined Paillette Dress, dolcegabbana.it; Brooks Brothers Oxfords, courtesy of Albright Fashion Library; Amandina Sphere Line Earrings, $225, amandinajoyeria.com; Sarina Suriano Sagittarius Astris Ring, $130, sarinasuriano.com
Fringe Effect
The long, silky strands that swished throughout the decade have expanded use as a trimming in today's closets.
Christian Siriano Fringe Cape, $3,600, farfetch.com; Wolford Buenos Aires String Body, $275, wolfordshop.com; 3x1 DIY Straight Jeans, $285, 3x1.us; Roger Vivier Giupure Rabat Slides, $1,595, rogervivier.com; Dylanlex Lily Earrings, $360, dylanlex.com
Shot on location at The Beekman hotel; Hair, Gavin Harwin; Makeup, Charlotte Day; Manicurist, Julie Kandalec.
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