So I tried to dress patriotically today, and this is what I came up with The skirt is actually what used to be a dress of my mom's, but it was too short for me, so my grandmother turned it into a skirt.

Alright, I went ahead and churned out my polyvore. A bit more on the artsy side....

Here, I was trying to make a complete clothing set, that someone would wear out. I may edit it to include a hat, eventually, but I'm not quite sure what sort of hat. I'm thinking something slightly old fashioned, perhaps with a net on it....

Well, anyway, I narrowed the theme based on the picture in the background, then built off of a simple-ish black dress. The cost on these items ranges from expensive (dress originally priced about $1k), to incredibly cheap (shoes from payless ). I tried to keep the actual clothing black, and add the accessories to give a "wilder" feel to a naturally sedated look. I think, if I can find the right hat, that it will give the entire set a soft, mysterious, yet wild, look, which is what I was aiming for. Details on the items in the set can be found here.

I think my favorite accessory is the bracelet, followed by the necklace.

Oh! I did create a "NarniaWeb" tag, since I couldn't really find one....

*pokes head in*

Ah, polyvore---sounds like fun. All the sets look great.

So, I had a couple of questions for you all:
1). What sort of clothing would you all suggest if one was trying to put together a 20's style outfit? I'd love to try to put one together, but as my sister said, "you can do retro, but you've got to do it right". I am probably one of the last people in the world to ever get something 'right' with clothing, so I'm really hoping you all can help me. I guess I shan't give you a list of specifics or anything about me and clothing, unless someone really is up for a challenge, so any help would be appreciated.

2). I am now the somewhat-proud owner of a dubious black hat (I think it's a felt fedora, but I'm not actually sure). I rescued it from the parking lot of a local public park and am now unsure what to do with it. (On an aside, lest you think I regularly scour the local parking lots for interesting objects, I stopped by on a whim and unexpectedly, and thought it would be a shame for such a nice hat to be crushed by tires. I'm unsure where on earth I could find a lost and found for it, or if it's even that important---if it IS a fedora, are they very expensive? There's no tag or name or anything; it looks worn, but it's still in fairly good condition. But, at any rate, unless I can think of anything else, I guess I'm stuck with the hat. ) Does anyone know how you could go about washing a hat, besides very carefully? There was at least a bug or two on it when I picked it up and I haven't even tried to see if it will fit me until I can sanitize it somehow.
Also, it has a black band around the crown, but it's obvious that there was some embellishment that has since fallen off (hint: white glue marks). Any suggestions on hat decorating/refurbishment?

Valia--20's style is all about the dropped waist, short hair, boyish figure. Here's some links to movie costumes from that era--

http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i31/c ... ed%20Veil/

I think a great typical 20's outfit would be:

"flapper-esque" dress--think no visable waist, or if there is a waist it's pretty low. Not a very shapely dress--

Short hair (or hair pinned up to look short), with a cloche hat, or a little headband. http://www.fashion-era.com/images/HairH ... adgear.jpg

low-heeled shoes-- http://images.buycostumes.com/mgen/merc ... /19661.jpg http://www.artdecosociety.org/gatsby/im ... +shoes.jpg

The second picture in your link, Val, reminds me of a picture of Natacha Rambova that I love. Hair, earrings, rolled velvet headband...

Here is a page I found on other ways of doing your hair

Also, pages from a 1920's booklet. Naturally, the look that I thought might be do-able from thrift store finds is the very last image. (Just... not in +90F weather! More for fall.)

I'd say a fairly common accessory is a single rope of pearls or other beads, very long, with a knot in front.

EDIT: Hats, hats, hats
sewn cloche Not sure what the finished product will actually look like...

crochet cloche

knit cloche I think this is the one I would make if I were so inclined

simpler knit cloche

knit and felted cloche

Bonus: Lots of pictures of hats and clothes from the 20's.

Thanks, Val! Those links all look to be useful. Question, though: How hard would it be to find these sorts of things in shops, whether retail or thrift store? Obviously, vintage stuff isn't just going to be lying around, but how about inspired-by/retro stuff that would work?
Ooh. I've never been much of a person for shoes, but I think I love some of those low heels.

Thanks, Mel! Sketch 64 looks the most likely, you're right. And lots of links! Sadly, I've only very, very basic knitting and crocheting skills (what, there's more than one stitch you can use to knit? ), so unless I can learn really quickly, I might just have to try the sewing cloche pattern.

Well, I guess I'm gonna have to try to rope a sister or two in and see if I can make a run to all the thrift stores when I get back next week. Hopefully something will come of it, but I'm not holding my breath, knowing me and shopping. In the meantime, keep the links/ideas coming, please!

Okay... new to this thread, but I went back a bit and saw the little "contest" thing.... thought I'd bring one in

I know I'm gonna love this thread

~VFK~

This hat is exactly the same as the one i got from jay jays yesterday. I don't know what is with hat sizes, my head is quite small compared to most people i know but i still need to get a large.

Very pretty, violetfirekrazed! I especially like the shoes. Too cute! You wouldn't happen to remember where they were from, do you?

Valia, sorry I haven't been much of a help, but I really don't care for 20s style. Mel's links are really good, though. I'll keep an eye out next time I go to the Rose, though. Might find something for you.

I have really taken a liking to trilby hats(like the one i posted just before)

this one is really nice.

this one is really nice.

Ooh, I love the coat you used, violet!

Lady Arwen: The shoes were from "net-a-porter.com" I've never visited that site, so I can't tell you if it's safe or not..... be warned >.<

Thanks Princess Rosario!!! I loved it too! I want one now *chuckles*

~VFK~

Ditto the love for that coat, violetfirekrazed! I love the double breasted styles.

*googles the difference between trillby and fedora* Ah. Fedoras are an American version with a wider brim. I like the second one you posted, ILF. The others are a bit too vibrant for my tastes. I think they'd clash with everything I own.

Valia, you mentioned liking the Egyptology aspect of the 1920's. Here is a repro with that theme. Personally, my taste runs more towards this or maybe this...

Valia, you mentioned liking the Egyptology aspect of the 1920's. Here is a repro with that theme. Personally, my taste runs more towards this or maybe this...

* nearly sprays her water all over her computer and papers *

Those are...expensive! For some reason, I have a feeling they will be out of Valia's budget.

violetfirekrazed, I'll look them up on polyvore, instead of going direct to the site. Thanks for letting me know!

Sure! Anytime!!!!!

~VFK~