Baz Luhrmann's highly anticipated film adaptation of The Great Gatsby hits theaters Friday, May 10. With sparkly, soirée-ready costumes designed by Miuccia Prada and Catherine Martin, the decadent flick has spawned a slew of Daisy- and Jay-inspired fashions that range from glamorous to downright gaudy.
While it may sound appealing, draping yourself in velvet, fringe, and patterns galore, some Prohibition-style restraint is in order -- if solely to save you from looking like a costumed clown.
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First, some pro tips. As it goes with every trend ever, a little can go a long way. Decking yourself out in head-to-toe Art Deco duds just ain't the way to play it. Instead, incorporate Gilded Age glamour into your wardrobe by choosing detail-conscious pieces. A drop-waist dress, a feather-flocked clutch, sculptural drop earrings, T-strap shoes, and pleats can all contribute a flapper-esque vibe to your look without seeming like you're playing dress-up.
Now, your guide to Gatsby fashion: the dos, the don'ts, and the never-ever-evers.
The Good Known for its reasonably priced and ever-stylish spectacles, Warby Parker presents the 1922 Collection for the chicest Fitzgerald lovers. With a cheeky nod to Doctor T. J. Eckleburg, the limited edition run of men's and women's glasses includes Duke's metal frames and round lenses, the wire and acetate Porter in whiskey or gimlet tortoise, and Joplin, a pair wire-thin with widely spaced eyeframes. At $95 a pop, they're an accessible accessory for those looking to sharpen their 1920s image.
The Glam Storied jewelry company Tiffany & Co. provided all the glizty baubles for Luhrmann's pic. Provided your credit line allows, you too can adorn yourself with Daisy's gems. The diamond purveyor's Gatsby Collection includes the Savoy platinum headpiece pictured above ($200,000), a platinum daisy brooch with yellow and white diamonds ($50,000), and, least expensive among the accessories, an 8.2 carat black onyx and diamond ring ($20,000).
Fancy and cost prohibitive? Sounds perfectly Jazz Age to us.
For the gents, Brooks Brothers pulled out all the dandy stops for its Gatsby collection. (The brand was also involved with dressing the new film's actors.) The most dashing-yet-wearable look combines a kakhi wool and linen jacket ($698), complete with brown linen trousers ($298), a tattersall vest ($248), and a bow tie that doesn't scream "Hey look! A bow tie!" ($55).
Also found in the collection are a pale pink suit ($698 for the jacket), a green shawl collar cardigan ($148), and a few boater hats ($198 each), which we hope will eclipse the fedora in popularity this summer.
The Ghastly One word you don't want to describe your foray into Gatsby fashion? Cheap. Another? Sad. This feathery cover-up ($99) from David's Bridal falls into both of those categories and utterly fails in its aim to look high-end and chic.
A better source for brides-to-be in search of Art Deco-inspired wedding accessories is BHLDN. The folks over there know better than to try and replicate an ostrich feather capelet with the plumes of Big Bird's grandma.
