The Great Gatsby
Last night I did something I’d never done before…I wore a 20s dress. Why? Because I had one, and I was going to The Great Gatsby. More on that later…right now, let’s just focus on my amazing thrifted 20s silk velvet gown.
I don’t do the 20s for a several reasons… one being that it’s far too scarce and thus expensive. The other being I simply do not find the cuts and styles flattering on me. Even this dress, as elegant as it is, I don’t care for all that much. I simply dislike the lack of shape that the 1920s produced. However, even with that being said, I am by no means going to get rid of this beauty.
And now maybe the topic a lot of you have been waiting for…the film itself. Director Baz Luhrmann has been under a lot of fire lately from the vintage community regarding the film. People are up in arms over the costumes and the music. Calling the costumes horrifically inaccurate and the music (which features artists such as Jay-Z and Jack White) disrespectful. I don’t care, and nor should you. Why? Because it’s Baz Luhrmann. Luhrmann has only five, count ’em, five major motion pictures under his belt and they are all the same. And by that I mean they are all in the same vein of each other, which is a hyper-stylized depiction of the time and events taking place. Luhrmann’s films are like paintings, works of art. Each one shows his influence, his brush strokes, his style. They are flashy, garish, yet beautiful and completely over-the-top on nearly every level. He produces pure escapism and entertainment with doses of historical bits and pieces (such as the Bohemian movement in Moulin Rouge! and the Stolen Generation in Australia). The two films that he directed which took place in the time that they were filmed, Strictly Ballroom (1992) and Romeo + Juliet (1996), hardly reflect the time in an accurate manner. They both suspend reality, and make the ordinary extraordinary! It is because of Luhrmann’s resume that I am able to overlook the extreme exaggerations of the roaring twenties and the music. And I feel that this is how every person going to go see this film should view it as well.
And I loved the film. I loved every second of it. I love the insane headdresses, over the top dancing, huge champagne bottles and inflatable zebra pool floaties (need to get me some of them). The cast was top notch too. Leonardo DiCaprio is Gatsby. He portrays the role with such kindness and emotion that you can’t help but feel for Gatsby and his pain and longing. I can’t wait to see it again.
Outfit
Dress & Shoes: Thrifted
Brooch: Belonged to my grandmother
String of Pearls: Belonged to my mother
Bracelet & Earrings: Don’t remember…
“Headband” (Actually a choker, I know, I’m brilliant) & Dress Clip: Gifts
Pearl Clutch: Antique Alley, Portland
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You look beautiful! That dress is incredible, and the choker as a headband is really quite brilliant. 🙂
An amazing blue velvet dress. I loved that you dressed so elegantly to go see this film. I think this dress makes you look like a Hollywood Starlett. I say add more 20’s when you can into your mix:))) Love it!!
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Lovely, Janey! And thank you for the review ~ I am looking forward to seeing the film! 🙂
My mum had a beautiful blue velvet dress that had become several sizes too small for her and hung in her wardrobe for years. When I was finally big enough to wear it, I went to her wardrobe to claim it as mine … and she’d sent it to the charity shop the week before. I’ve been waiting for velvet to be back in ever since, to get the excuse to go out and buy one just that colour.
I also don’t like 20’s fashion.. not flattering for a curvy girl like me!
But we are planning to go to see Gatsby next week-end!
You look gorgeous in that dress, Janey!!
I just got back from seeing The Great Gatsby and I loved it. I’m a big fan of Baz Luhrmann’s films. I love his bright, over-the-top and flashy style. And his style worked VERY well with The Great Gasby. And Leo was so perfect as Gatsby. His longing broke my heart.
My one beef with the film was the fact that Nick Carraway was hospitalized and telling Gatsby’s story as a form of healing. When I read the book I got the sense that Carraway was the only “undamaged” character.
I agree with you 100% about Baz Luhrmann films and I’m really looking forward to seeing his spectacular spin on this classic.
You look gorgeous!
What you did with your hair is just delightful!
absolute class. those pearls are fabulous. I sound like I am gushing, lol. in all seriousness 1920’s or 2020’s that look is ageless.
I can’t wait to see it the movie!! I’m going to try and get to the theater this weekend.
p.s. I would never describe that dress as unflattering on you. You look amazing!
Stunning dress…the color looks gorgeous with your skin tone and hair. I can’t wait to see the movie!!! My now 11 year old daughter “Daisy” was named after I read the book and seeing the original movie with Mia Farrow, and Redford.
I agree with you about the roaring 20’s fashion, it’s a hard style for some body types. That being said, you look fantastic in that dress. The jewelry is great, too.
Honey, you look ravishingly gorgeous! I’m with completely on why I don’t wear 20s often (virtually ever) either – especially because many of the shapes of the era just don’t work well with my figure most of the time.
That said, having fallen hard and fast for Boardwalk Empire last year, I’ve had 20s fashions on the brain more in the past few months than probably the past decade combined, and am hoping to do my own first 1920s outfit post some time down the road later this year, too (because sometimes it’s just plain fun to experiment with different eras – if it they’re not your absolute faves – for a change of pace).
♥ Jessica
I love this dress. So beautiful and it really suits you. I’m quite curvy and 1920s rarely works on me.
Wow, what a find! That dress is gorgeous and pretty darn flattering, all things considered. I agree that the 20s are not the most flattering era… something about the hips, for me. I wasn’t much of a fan of Great Gatsby as a book, so as far as I’m concerned, any liberties taken are probably an improvement!
You look absolutely stunning in this dress!
I agree with you about everything you said about Baz. He has his own way and I personally love it (I went to see strictly ballroom repeatedly when it came out). I don’t expect it to be especially accurate….but I can’t wait to see it!
Oh, Janey, you have a such a perfect 20s face. And I’m right there with you on 20s styles not being flattering for my figure. And huge dittoes on Baz not being a historically accurate, but nonetheless entertaining, filmmaker. Can’t wait to see Gatsby for that very reason.
I definitely do love that dress, it looks really amazing on you. The colour is beautiful and I love how the velvet catches the light. I haven’t seen the film yet but I’m sure I would really enjoy it.
Love the outfit Janey!! Gorgeous, just gorgeous. Dave and I saw the film this weekend and I, being a huge fan of Baz’s, loved it. Catherine Martin scored high marks with the costumes once again. Dave had the best quote for his take on the movie “The picture was old but the paint was brand new”. 🙂
Wow this is lovely. You are quite lucky to have found one that fits you so well. I have a rather large butt so most 20s dresses I tend to stay far FAR away from.
Aha!! Tracked down your ’20s dress after your comment on my post. You look incredible, that colour is super on you, and i just adore the detail, that little clip at the back is divine. What a swoon-worthy dress!! I admit that ’20s is harder to pull off for many women, but I honestly think more people should give it a go. It’s a lot of fun switching up eras! P x