A Jazz Age Resurgence?
It seems that the world will always be in love with the 1920s. It was a decade of youth-propelled change, decadence, and fun, even in the face of repressive Prohibition. Though we are now free to consume alcohol, present generations are instead facing an economy that can’t seem to climb out of the hole, and a world whose problems loom ever-larger on our newspapers, televisions, and computer screens. It makes sense that today’s creative minds would turn to the decade famous for celebration and frivolity, if just for a moment’s escape.
The Spring 2012 runway did just that with feathers, fringe, dropped waistlines, and even cloche hats. Rather than the 50s-inspired curvy figures that have dominated runways the last couple years (summoning the return of hips and breasts to the runway), some designers turned to the boxy, boyish silhouettes of the 20s. These designers include Marc Jacobs, Alberta Ferretti, Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig at Marchesa, and, most notably, Ralph Lauren.
Marc Jacobs Spring 2012, source style.com
Marc Jacobs Spring 2012, source style.com
Marchesa Spring 2012, source style.com
Alberta Ferretti Spring 2012, source style.com
Ralph Lauren Spring 2012, source style.com
Ralph Lauren Spring 2012, source style.com
Ralph Lauren Spring 2012, source style.com
Ralph Lauren Spring 2012, source style.com
This isn’t the first time that the 20’s inspired Ralph Lauren. In 1974, Mia Farrow and Robert Redford starred in The Great Gatsby, and the film achieved such popularity that it spurred a jazz age fashion revival. Lauren contributed a couple costumes to Theoni Aldredge’s wardrobe design for the film, and the connection helped launch Lauren into his now-successful career. Is it a coincidence, then, that his collection for Spring 2012 will have women dressing in true 20s fashion six months before the new Gatsby film is released?
Based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s famous novel depicting the jazz age, Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby will star Leonardo DiCaprio, Toby McGuire, and Carey Mulligan. The trailer, which was released Tuesday May 22nd, has already received well over a million views and has launched thousands of fashion conversations. Clearly, something about the 20s resonates with today’s consumers.
1920s style
An easy way to channel the 20s is with a hair accessory. Turbans, headbands, and cloche hats were popular additions to any 20s outfit. Geometric hair barrettes, especially gold ones, are great nods to art deco; feathers, beads, and ribbons were other stylish textures of the time.
Other 1920s Style ideas:
- Long pearl necklaces
- Dangly, sparkly earrings
- Fringe
- Velvet
- Silk
- T-strap heels
- Metallic brooches
- Short, cropped hair, styled wavy or pin straight
