The 1920s is undoubtedly one of the iconic decades in history and fashion!
After battling two years of cancelled weddings and general pandemic-induced hardship, it is just fitting that the celebratory spirit of the 1920s is resurfacing for “post-pandemic” celebrations.
Think Gatsby glamour, fringed edging, silk slip wedding dresses, vintage bridesmaid dress, and geometric beading. These are the key features of 1920s wedding fashion.
And below are some easy-to-follow wedding tips to champion 1920s bridesmaid fashion.
Tip 1. Choose an appropriate fabric
When choosing a vintage bridesmaid dress for a 1920s-inspired wedding, look for dresses in silk, satin, sequins, brocade, lames, or velvet.
Tip 2. Choose spring and winter colours
Choosing the wedding colours is the job of the bride and groom. But being a member of the bridal party, you can always suggest a shade or two for what you and the rest of the ladies will wear.
Consider spring colours like rose pink, leaf green, buttercup yellow, delphinium blue, peach, or apricot. They are typical colours you see on actual 1920s weddings. And if the wedding happens in winter, suggest deep blue, chartreuse green, rose red, silver, gold, orchid purple, burnt orange, turquoise, grey, and beige.
Tip 3. Pick a dress style that speaks to your comfort
In the roaring 1920s, the robe de style dress was the typical bridesmaid outfit. It featured a close fit on top and a longer, fuller skirt on the bottom. Some skirts were so full that they required side petticoats, panniers, or hoops.
Petticoats look beautiful, but they may not be practical today. So, to still achieve the 1920s look, consider dressing differently with the rest of the bridal party and play with looser fitting tops, cowl or embellished necklines, cap sleeves, or scalloped skirts. You can also consider above-the-knee dresses, sleeveless sequined dresses, velvet bridesmaid dresses or drop-waist gowns.
Tip 4. Do not shy away from embellishments
Embellishments with geometric designs are one of the art deco styles that inspired 1920s fashion. Lace, fringes, tassels, beadings, pearls, fur, feathers, sequins, ruffles, gemstones, appliques, and rhinestones are a few eye-catching embellishments for a peach bridesmaid dress.
Tip 5. Do not forget your crowning glory
Even the hairstyles during the 1920s became iconic, which you still see today on runways, magazine covers, and television. Sport a short bob styled in Marcel or finger waves to perfect the popular 1920s hairstyle.
Tip 6. Top it with a headpiece
Since most bridesmaid dresses in the 1920s were usually plain or lacked decoration, incorporating a headpiece to elevate the bridesmaid’s fashion was common. And the most popular headpiece at that time was the hat.
So, for a modern reimagining of the 1920s, wear an extensive, attractive hat made of horsehair, braid, leghorn, Milan or Neapolitan straw, tulle, georgette, net, or lace.
During a chilly autumn or winter wedding, bridesmaids wear a large velvet hat. A leaf brown velvet hat can match many shades.
If a hat is not your style, wear a birdcage veil, a headband, or a turban.
Tip 7. Adorn with accessories
A wedding fashion is incomplete without accessories. So, to pour more 1920s juice into your bridesmaid outfit, wear some of these accessories: drop earrings, a stole, a long pearl necklace, a statement choker, a glitzy bracelet, an eye-catching cape, and a handy beaded or fringed purse.
But remember, do not overdo or go over the top with accessorizing. You want to avoid stealing the spotlight for the wrong reason.
Tip 8. Highlight with makeup
Achieve the 1920s-inspired makeup with a smokey eye, a rose-coloured blush or rouge, and dark red or pink lipstick shade.
Tip 9. Exude elegance with a comforting arm wear
A pair of opera-length gloves alone can bring anyone back in time. So, if you see that your bridesmaid dress can use some more detailing in the form of gloves, then go ahead and use a pair.
Tip 10. Dance the night away with a statement footwear
In the 1920s, bridesmaids wore shoes and stockings to match their dresses. But as a modern bridesmaid, you can wear white stockings with light dresses and black ones with dark-coloured dresses.
If you think what shoes will bring you back to the 1920s, consider a pair of beaded or embroidered silk “Mary Jane” heels with a low Cuban heel. Also, the Colonial pump with a silver buckle on the toe box is another option. A heads-up, though, this pair of pumps is prone to snagging long dresses. T straps / T-bar shoes, which came later in the mid-1920s, are something you can also use.
If there is no dancing involved, which we doubt, or you have no plans of dancing during the reception, you can wear a pair of simple satin, leather, or canvas pumps.
Perfect for a 1920s wedding are white, ivory, silver, and gold shoes embellished with sequins, beads, rhinestones, glitter, and pearls.
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