Getting the Gatsby Look with Twenties Accessories

I for one am very excited about the release of the Great Gatsby. The frenzy of hype surrounding the film will soon fade, but appeal of the fashions of the twenties, with their iconic drop waist, deco motifs and intricate detailing, will always endure.

The most defining look of the era is the flapper dress. These were often heavily embellished with beading, rhinestones and sequins and made from delicate materials like chiffon. Garments from the twenties are becoming increasingly rare to find and often due to their age and the nature of their materials aren't pristine. I have a couple in my collection that aren't perfect, but their sheer beauty and the extraordinary amount of work that has gone into them is breathtaking. 

You can see some drool worthy examples of heavenly fashions from the era by design icons such as Lanvin and Chanel, in this set I created from the Met Museum's Collection. 

With the clothes of the twenties becoming too fragile to be wearable, the deco revival of the late 60s and 70s can be a great time to find vintage fashion that captures the spirit of the era, yet can still be worn on a day to day basis. Look for heavy beading, triangular and shell motifs and straight fitting garments to get the flapper look. 

One of the ways you can bring the elegance of the 20s into your wardrobe is through accessories, as you can often still find originals in good condition. These are a few of the authentic handbags I have for sale from the era. They are all so unusual and unlike anything that is made nowadays. These beauties will be hard to part with...

Another way to capture the spirit of the era is through jewellery. Long beaded necklaces were iconic. 

Silver jewellery, embellished with diamonds, marcasites or rhinestones, was the perfect accessory to complete a 20s outfit. If you don't want to shell out £155,000 for the Daisy's Tiffany headdress in the poster above, then these vintage brooches at £10 each are a nice affordable alternative! 

Hair was worn short and often finger waved. If you want to create the look, but don't want to take the chop, then there are plenty of faux bob tutorials out there. Team your short hairstyle with a cloche or geometric headscarf and your 20s look is complete! 

Et Voila! Here am I doing my best Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan Twenties Flapper impression...