Thursday, August 4, 2011

THE JAZZ AGE

Like most Californians, I've learned to spend part of my life inside the car.  This means I now get listen to National Public Radio more often than I did in NYC.  It's not a bad thing since I often chance upon very interesting programs.  The other day, I heard a fascinating discussion on The Prohibition and the Jazz Age.

** Cut to images of the Roaring Twenties, Scott and Zelda, speakeasies, and those indomitably spirited Flappers in their close fitting cloche hats.  (Note: Daydreaming while driving is hazardous.) **


Dress: Phillip Lim
Cloche in hand: Zitomer, NYC
Rope & Chain Necklace: BCBG
Boots: Bamboo
I was hiding in the shade, sorry for sub-optimal lighting conditions.



Remember the Phillip Lim dress I got on my last day in NYC?  It had caught my eye as downright cute,  but it also carried That Vibe.  The same vibe that continued what the suffragettes began towards the corset-less path of shortened skirts, bicycles, and eventually ... the Charleston!

This is how they did it back then:

Life Magazine cover from the 1920s
Source: Google Images

In the spirit of the Jazz Age, I added modern twists, like a silver metal and rope necklace, and clog boots. I wasn't aiming for a costume.  In fact, I was just heading out to dinner with the girls.


Dress: Phillip Lim
Necklace: BCBG
Boots: Bamboo

And I did pull out my cloche, though it was circa 2000s, not 1920s.


My bow-front cloche, Zitomer, NYC
out of a 19th Century Chinese hat box

You know what?  It wasn't so different.

Clara Bow, the original "It Girl"-  yes, that was coined back in the '20s from her film "It" -- would still reign supreme today in this look.  What do you think?


Clara Bow back in the 1920s
Source: Google Images

This is a tip of the cloche to all those Modern Women of the Jazz Age who -  I'm sure - would be Bloggers today if they were around.

For more about women through the ages, please see the link to an old blog post of mine in another blog:  American Woman

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36 comments:

  1. TaAugust 4, 2011 at 6:36 PM

    About a year ago i let my hair go natural. Its a huge curly mess of pretty. But i can't wear hats. And i LOVE that little black hat.

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  2. citizen rosebudAugust 4, 2011 at 7:34 PM

    Fabulous booties and dress. I'd dance a jig too if I looked that delicious all the time.

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  3. MxxAugust 4, 2011 at 8:29 PM

    What a lovely dress. It goes very well with the booties. I am sure that dressed like that, you would have a great, great time with the girls !!!

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  4. Claudia ZanderAugust 4, 2011 at 10:12 PM

    I love your suffrage´s dress
    and your pearl bracelet too
    :)

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  5. AnonymousAugust 5, 2011 at 1:39 AM

    i really adore this dress!!!
    s

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  6. AnonymousAugust 5, 2011 at 1:48 AM

    ♥
    Oh, nice post.)) Love your blog!!!.))))))

    I need your help ... Soon I am flying to Greece and I will have a two-day shopping in Athens .. You were there ever? If yes, what places you advise?

    ♥

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  7. FashionJazzAugust 5, 2011 at 5:23 AM

    Loved your post and yes they would so be bloggers :) Love your dress too, you look stunning xxx

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  8. Sick by TrendAugust 5, 2011 at 8:00 AM

    Love that Phillip Lim dress!!! :D great pictures

    xx

    Have a nice weekend :)

    www.sickbytrend.com

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  9. KarishmaAugust 5, 2011 at 8:03 AM

    hey! you've got a really nice blog.
    luv the sun stripes post too.
    xoxo
    from India

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  10. KelAugust 5, 2011 at 8:48 AM

    I think that Phillip Lim dress is cute beyond words.

    And so classic too!

    Lots of love from Sydney,

    x Kel

    playing an impostor

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  11. MarielleheartAugust 5, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    How I love your shoes!

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  12. Project CurveAugust 5, 2011 at 10:59 AM

    daydreaming while driving may be hazardous..but if someone saw you while driving it would be quite hazardous for them..you look perfectly stunning!

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  13. the nyanzi reportAugust 5, 2011 at 12:05 PM

    that dress and boots combo is super.

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  14. RosalindAugust 5, 2011 at 1:47 PM

    I studied the prohibition as part of my History exam course and I enjoyed learning about the Jazz age via The Great Gatsby. So, what a delight to see how this inspiration led you when choosing what to wear for an evening out. And yes, Clara Bow would indeed still reign supreme with her enigmatic look.

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  15. It-BlogirlsAugust 5, 2011 at 1:49 PM

    I have no idea of who she is!
    but she looks great!
    your pictures are amazing

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  16. Bad JoanAugust 5, 2011 at 7:11 PM

    Love your jazz inspired look. Adorable dress and boots!

    GTBB,
    http://www.badjoan.com
    http://www.badjoan.blogspot.com

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  17. KatieAugust 5, 2011 at 8:21 PM

    Great pictures! love the dress! xo

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  18. The Pink MonocleAugust 5, 2011 at 10:50 PM

    Lovely dress and even lovelier sentiment! I love the idea of the roaring twenties, though I don't think I'd like to live then. I just re-read Fitzgerald's This Side of Paradise and this post reminded me of it! On a different notes, I'm the exact same when it comes to driving (or taking the subway). I hate wasting time so I always try to read a book or put on something educational so as to kill two birds with one stone. There's so much knowledge to be had in this world and not enough time..


    The Pink Monocle

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  19. The Foolish AestheteAugust 5, 2011 at 11:12 PM

    @ Pink Monocle - Too true, not enough time. My to-read list is longer than my already-read one, and our house is full of books in every room already! Add to that re-reading books, like you did with Fitzgerald. It's such a joy to re-experience a perfectly turned phrase. And we're only talking about the world of literature. This is why I began my blog, because there are so many aspects of life to celebrate and discover!

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  20. Caramel CoutureAugust 6, 2011 at 12:32 AM

    brilliant the dress is amazing and i love how the shoes pull it together!!

    caramelcouture.blogspot.com

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  21. lifeisamazeAugust 6, 2011 at 10:23 AM

    I like the hat :)

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  22. Selvaggia CapizziAugust 6, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    I adore this outfit of yours!!! You look fabulous!

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  23. JillianAugust 6, 2011 at 2:38 PM

    I love flapper style! I was at a twenties-themed exhibit at the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto the other day and it definitely made me want to get my Clara Bow on!

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  24. Vanessa LuAugust 6, 2011 at 7:47 PM

    cute outfit!
    http://vanessalu91.blogspot.com

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  25. JEAN-PIERREAugust 6, 2011 at 9:37 PM

    I actually love that 1920s cover of life. I've used it in a presentation before

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  26. SanAugust 7, 2011 at 1:40 AM

    Wonderful outfit. And isn't it funny how everything in fashion seems to return, but in a new way.

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  27. STYLE MARMALADEAugust 7, 2011 at 2:11 AM

    Lovely dress love the ruffles so cute! and I'm such a big fan of 20's hats yours it's fanatastic. xx

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  28. Michelle LeeAugust 7, 2011 at 4:44 AM

    love the look :)

    and about my gucci no its not vintage
    i got it when it first came out like two years ago summer? when did the shopaholic movie came out? the main character wore the same bag in orange stripe

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  29. ASAugust 7, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    wow that is an absolutely FABULOUS dress xx

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  30. Audrey LeightonAugust 7, 2011 at 3:36 PM

    Love those shoes!

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  31. FashionistableAugust 7, 2011 at 4:14 PM

    You are great. I really love your modern take on the 20's. Xxxx

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  32. BlueAugust 8, 2011 at 5:41 AM

    I love that you chronicled your inspiration for this post. And the dress. I love almost every white dress, I can't even explain why. I just love them.

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  33. Style DilettanteAugust 8, 2011 at 5:22 PM

    I love this post and adore your look! Great outlook on time spent in the car too! I love NPR - "All Things Considered" and "Good Food"...

    http://inherentstylela.blogspot.com/

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  34. UnknownAugust 8, 2011 at 6:10 PM

    these images are so beautiful
    and I loved your comment..it is one of my favourite ones ever xxx

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  35. classiqAugust 9, 2011 at 2:48 AM

    What a great post! Love the dress, the vintage photos, the hat box. :)
    Ada

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  36. Alice OliveSeptember 1, 2011 at 5:26 AM

    Such a cute dress!

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Dear Fellow Aesthetes, I love hearing your thoughts. I think the other readers find them valuable too! Much love xxx

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