NEWS FLASH: To access my Stella & Dot online trunk show — the first Magpie Mini Market! — go to:
http://www.stelladot.com/sites/mbsp
At the top right of the page, click on “Can’t Make It to the Show? Find Your Hostess” and type in first name: “Fashion” and last name: “Magpie.” Shop away!
And now back to your scheduled programming…THE ROARING 20S
Maybe it was all the millinery featured in yesterday’s “Ascot Me to the Races” post, but as I sat down to work on a new theme, I kept flipping back to a screen shot of Robert Redford and Mia Farrow from the 1974 film version of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby:
There’s something so fetching, easy, sleek about the aesthetic — and so now. It made me want to disregard my tendency toward the tailored and instead slip into an easy-on Jazz Age dress — like this beaded silk Milly number ($450, Net-A-Porter) or, below, the aptly named “Daisy Buchanan” dress by Haute Hippie ($560, Shop She Boutique):
Add a hard-case gold minaudiere, like this precious little Whiting-Davis ($130, Endless):
With a get-up like that, I’d say you’re ready to sip champagne under the stars — or at least under an art deco chandelier (you can buy this Maison Gerard masterpiece at 1st Dibs):
For a slightly different style, consider Xeniya’s fanciful stark-white feather-skirted flapper dress (on sale for $198, Neiman Marcus):
Wouldn’t it look killer with these lust-worthy Christian Louboutin t-straps ($1,995 Bergdorf Goodman):
If you’re doubting the look — perhaps worrying that it might seem a bit costumey or over-done for you — well, think again: check out Kate Bosworth’s loveliness in this similar updated-Jazz-Age look:
She’s just radiant and oh-so-flapper-chic (right down to the t-strap pumps) — and besides, isn’t Gatsby all about chasing dreams and idling in an illusory sense of reality? (Insert the quote we all knew backwards and forwards in high school: “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us…”) When it comes down to it, fashion is a relatively safe realm for fantasy-driven decision-making anyway. In that vein of thought, why not test out a little feathered head-piece — this Karina Andreasson rings in at under $100 (I strongly advise you visit her website — it’s beautiful):
If you don’t feel up to pairing it with a flapper-style dress, I think you’d cut quite a figure sporting it with a fitted black sheath dress and some patent black flats. For something a bit more toned down, you’ll be able to find adorable feather-adorned headbands all over the place this season (perhaps thanks to Blair Waldorf of Gossip Girl?), including at Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, and J. Crew (the version below is $29, J. Crew):
Other ways of testing the Daisy Buchanan look if you’re not quite ready to jump in feet first? First, a super-long strand of pearls. All the flappers wore them with little cloche hats and low-heeled pumps. (We’ll dispose of the latter two articles and focus on the timeless pearl accessory.)
This Carolee brand version is pleasantly affordable ($60, Max&Chloe), but Mikimoto has a covetable, more expensive version ($395, Saks):
I think they’d look bananas with this similarly-styled Sass & Bide top ($345, Net-A-Porter), some twig-leg black cropped jeans, and some super-high gold heels:
You might even be able to sneak on an additional ’20s-style accessory, like this black enamel Storm brand watch (the “Mashiko,” $200 at Moxsie):
…or maybe (my go-to) an aggressively-sized cocktail ring! Why not one of these deco round-faced baubles by Confection Jewels (the first, $50 at Moxsie; the second, $115, Confection Jewels)?
Alternately, you might go for a bold deco-inspired statement necklace and an otherwise simple outfit (all black?). I’m in love with this Fiona Paxton piece ($295, Kitson Boutique):
Her styles have gotten a lot of press thanks to their popularity amongst celebs — everyone from Isla Fischer to Drew Barrymore has been spotted in one.
I love the variation above — a bit tribal, a bit glam, and yet reminiscent of the roaring 20s. Speaking of which — one popular Jazz Age trend I’ve not yet touched upon that seems to be cropping up all over the place this season? The spectator pump, a femme adaptation of the classic two-tone menswear staple. Ralph Lauren was all over the look — these Arinas are now on sale for $419 at Ralph Lauren (a spectator flat is also available):
Manolo Blahnik, Kate Spade, Nine West, and Moschino have all come out with their own variations. I have to admit that this style scares me a touch. It’s so overtly masculine — and you know I love a frilly peep toe. I was convinced I’d need to let the look pass me by until I stumbled upon these beyond-adorable Kelsi Daggers. The scrunchy ballet flat style reminds me of Lanvin’s higher-end classics, and the pop of cherry red might be just what I need to bring an otherwise dull outfit to life ($84, Lori’s Shoes):
The fashion house Rodarte seemed to be on a similar wavelength a year earlier, when it released a number of Jazz Age-appropriate styles, including this modern-day-flapper look:
Love the easy-breeziness of it all. You can find a comparable white floppy sun hat through Eric Javits ($325), though I’ve seen passable versions at a fraction of the cost at places like Forever21!
Switching gears a bit — moving back to fab Gatsby-esque soirees — if you really want to pull out all the stops and knock-em-dead, check out this eye-catching, art-deco-inspired Rachel Gilbert number ($630, Net-A-Porter):
Love the scalloping — and, as a magpie, you know I love the sparkle. It would look almost too good to be true with the Louboutin Poseidon shoe ($1,195, Saks):
Or, if you opt for black tootsies, what about this stunning Nicole Miller bling bling clutch ($175, Lori’s Shoes)?
I think you’d be prohibition-party-ready in it. To round it all out — because a little whimsy never hurt anyone — consider a rather bold feathered headpiece for a real statement ($152, Farfetch):
Gatsby awaits!
Addenda:
Don’t forget to visit the Stella & Dot online trunk show! Click on
http://www.stelladot.com/sites/mbsp
At the top right of the page, click on “Can’t Make It to the Show? Find Your Hostess” and type in first name: “Fashion” and last name: “Magpie.” Shop away!