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The Roaring Twenties were the years symbolised by the flapper - the newly liberated young woman with her bobbed hair, boyish figure, short, waistless dresses and outrageous behaviour. Emerging from the terrible years of the 1914-18 World War, the youth of Europe had a need for fun and frivolity - a reaction to the wasteful deaths of so many young men during that conflict. The flapper forged her own way, had her own dances - such as the Charleston and the cakewalk - and her own very modern look, a world away from the long skirts and bosomy silhouettes, big hair and big hats of the pre-war belle.
It was a very stylish decade, immortalised by the novels of F Scott Fitzgerald (The Great Gatsby, This Side of Paradise) and the great silent movie stars of the period, Louise Brooks and Clara Bow. If you're planning a 1920s wedding, attention to detail is key.
The flapper dress - a waistless shift, often heavily beaded - or a dropped waistline dress with a sash around the hips, is essential wear. Waists were out, while slender figures, great legs and graceful necks were in. Bosoms were not the focal point.
The flapper bride should choose strapped pumps - no tottery heels. Maybe something like our flat bar shoe would fit the bill or if you can't bear the thought of going without heels, what about something like the classic wedding shoe? If you don't want to bob your hair for the big day, wear a sleek little wig for that Louise Brooks look. And add a bandeau round the hair, plus a long, long string of pearls (take a look at our wedding jewellery for inspiration) or a necklace that loops down to your navel. As for those all important accessories, then something like the pearl string wedding dolly bag or crystal string wedding dolly bag fits the bill perfectly for keeping all your bits and pieces safe. Don't be shy with your make-up, either - the watchword for the 1920s girl was: Anything Goes!
Dress your man like Jay Gatsby in an exquisite four-button double-breasted jacket and cuffed trousers, preferably in white or cream. The look is fitted, super-elegant and a little bit menacing! He can wear a silk cravat or scarf and a top hat if you can persuade him into it, or alternatively, get him a gorgeous snap-brim hat.
Not forgetting the bridesmaids, younger bridesmaids would look enchanting in a simple A-line affair such as the Isabella bridesmaid dress accessorised with a marabou bolero and marabou dolly bag to give that little bit of Twenties glamour. Whilst for older girls, you could go for all out glamour with simpler versions of the flapper dress that you're wearing.
Venues for your wedding might include an authentic Art Deco 20s building, or any elegant lounge that includes a cocktail bar and room for a jazz band. The music will include such Twenties classics as the Charleston, Le's Misbehave by Cole Porter, the Black Bottom, and so on. There should be lots of dancing - those flappers knew how to party!
To see Henry Kaye's full range of wedding shoes, bridesmaid dresses and wedding accessories, click here.
For more useful articles see wedding information.
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