Welcome to the Decor To Adore 2017 Costume Reveal The 1920’s.
2017 Costume Reveal The 1920’s
This year I made a total of two 1920’s inspired dresses and a duster coat. I was able to make two dresses because I did not have to sew a costume for Mr. Decor.
Because men’s fashion has not changed too dramatically in the past 90 years I was able to find his tweed pants and argyle vest at Goodwill. The bowtie is Sweet Guy’s and the newsboy cap was purchased HERE. For more 1920’s men’s fashion inspiration you can visit my Pinterest board.
The Day Dress
In last Friday’s post, I shared vintage images and ads from the 1920’s that inspired me. I settled on making a very simple three quarter length sleeve, dropped waist dress.
The dress fabric was originally a large pink linen tablecloth that I found at an estate sale for $6.
I used the scalloped edge of the tablecloth to create a fun detail for the sleeve.
I bid on and won the new reproduction spectator shoes on eBay for $3.00.
The Evening Dress
Knowing that my readers love sparkly things I wanted to create a fancy 1920’s evening dress too.
If you missed the post on 1920’s evening dresses you may be surprised that this dress has long sleeves. But a woman of my age would rarely wear a sleeveless dress. This is a more historically accurate choice.
Embellished silk was often used to create lovely gowns in this era. I was not having ANY luck finding such fabric until I spied this $2 East Indian sari at an estate sale. It was perfect. The intricate silver edge of the sari made a perfect design detail for the sleeve and dropped waist.
Our new rescue doxie, Gracie, politely asked if she could be in the photos.
Sidenote: dachshunds had been introduced to England by Queen Victoria’s German-born husband, Prince Albert. They quickly became the favorite breed of the Royal family.
Queen Elizabeth still keeps doxie descendants from the line. Current favorites are Candy, Willow, and Vulcan.
By the 1920’s many of England and America’s Bright Young Things owned these dogs so I told Gracie she could pose since she was historically accurate.
This dog LOVES the camera!
She also dances the Charleston beautifully.
1920’s Ladies Duster Coat and Cloche Hat
In an earlier post on duster coats and cloches, I mentioned that ladies riding in open air cars wanted to protect their clothing from road dust and would cover themselves in “duster” coats. Cloche hats would not fly off while traveling in a fast moving vehicle.
This cloche hat was made from an antique hand embroidered silk Canton shawl.
I created the duster coat from linen curtains that I was no longer using.
Approximately 90% of the coat was hand stitched. This was necessary due to the loose weave of the linen fabric and the delicacy of the antique lace that I used for embellishment. The button is an Art Deco mother of pearl gem I had in my collection.
Shall we talk about this glorious car?
The Car
This lovely motor vehicle is a 1929 Packard 640 seven-passenger touring car. It is owned by the extremely talented Dr. Angelo Mendez who restored the car to its former glory.
The car show was hosted as a fundraiser for the Westlake Historical Preservation Society.
I loved how the side mirror was attached to the spare tire.
Dr. Mendez graciously allowed us to take several images sitting in this amazing vehicle.
How I Get Mr. Decor To Dress Up
Each year I am asked how I get Mr. Decor to dress up. The truth is, he is quite the hambone and enjoys it.
He also enjoys the extra snuggles…
…kisses…
…and how I look at him all moony-eyed when I tell him how handsome he is.
We also both enjoy making people smile.
Mr. Tom Morey restored this gorgeous 1952 Bentley R Saloon car. Mr. Morey was such a delight to speak with. He got a kick out of our deep appreciation for classic cars.
Not to mention, we also have ALOT of fun!
We hope you have enjoyed this year’s costume challenge The Roaring 20’s!
Please leave a comment if there is an era you would like recreated next year.
Laura
You may also enjoy our previous costume challenges.
Special thanks to Sweet Guy for not being an embarrassed teenager and taking these photographs of his parents.
Oh my word this is so fun and your costumes are so amazing. You always totally outdo yourself. Mr. looks fabulous too and Sweet Guy is such a trooper. I love it all. Miss you terribly.
What an amazing reveal !! I love the costumes, the vinrage cars, the photography, etc. Job well done!!!!! Can’t wait until next year.
ADORABLE!!! And so talented – all of you.
You’re such a great seamstress, Laura. The dresses and the coat are simply gorgeous.
What wonderful dresses, duster and hat! You guys look great! Those cars are amazing too.
I have so much to say!! You just blow me away with your talents. All the details in your gowns to the most gorgeous hat. You and your handsome husband, do make people smile, & you both look so authentic. Graham and I love classic cars too. They are a work of art and I admire those that restore them so we can all enjoy their beauty. Bravo to your sweet teen. His photos were terrific and I suspect, he was pretty darn proud of his parents.
Well done Laura!!
Oh my goodness. You look fabulous. The costumes are gorgeous. The cars simply stunning AND you both look adorable…ADORE!
Oh wow! I love them all! So creative, and I love that so much of it was recycled from other uses. You did a great job! And your son did a great job with the photos. Mr. Decor is a good sport and looks quite nice in his costume as well.
Love your careful attention to the details! Bravo!
Laura, you two look exquisite in your 1920s era costumes. I admire your talents! Not only do you research your designs, but you find the perfect vintage fabrics with which to create these stunning outfits. Kudos to you! Yes, I love this period of time. It fits you two perfectly.
Ya done good! Your dresses and coat are adorable ~
I absolutely love your creations, especially the duster coat. Such talent!
Oh Laura, if you had come to our Gatsby Gala you two would have won the costume contest hands down! I’m pressed to decide which of the two I like the best. They are both lovely, as is the coat. Like a breath of lavender floating through the air on a warm day. You look so cool and elegant and lovely! What a fun series — I’ve really enjoyed every post!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!! Capital letter LOVE! Laura, you are one of the most innovative and creative people I’ve had the pleasure to be acquainted with. You worked magic on those fabrics. I know how to sew, and I know you had to work the pattern layout such that you would get it just right for the sleeves on both and the sash on the evening dress. You look simply adorable in both, your dog too. You & your husband make a beautiful couple, and I love that you were able to get the automobile prop to perfect the shoot. Speaking of shoot, Sweet Guy did a fine job and he’s looking quite fine as a young man too. Jill’s cloche is the cherry on top!
Bravo!
OMG, you both look DARLING!!!! love it all Laura !
Laura, these dresses are darling and you both look fabulous! That backdrop of the antique cars was just perfect. I love how you put your heart and soul into everything. It’s always a pleasant visit to your blog. Take care.
Love all of it! Beautiful work Laura and excellent photos by Sweet Guy! Kudos to Mr Decor too!! Ann
Laura, love your costumes! Actually you and your husband look like you just stepped out of the 1920’s. You are so talented, both sourcing fabric and sewing. The cars are all fabulous and are great for your photos. Fabulous!
oh wow you two look amazing.
Oh, Laura – you’ve done it yet again! You are so amazingly talented – and clever – and fun – and beautiful!
Thanks for this – what a fun post!
I am so glad to be back blogging again – I missed it terribly.
HUGS!!! ♥
Wow, so fun! What a fun time that would’ve been…for the fashions!! Visiting from Celebrate and Decorate.
You and Mr. Decor are so darling! Your costumes are pretty amazing. Your talent always shows in your projects.
I love the 50s and would love to see a costume from that time period. 🙂
Brava! You look like you stepped out of an MGM musical. Hubby and son deserve kudos too. I realize all the hard work and reaseach that goes into these challenges but somehow you make it look like fun. Looking forward to your next project.
How about a “Dickens” Christmas? Would that be too corny?
This is simply amazing. What a talent you have.
Amalia
xo
I’ve enjoyed your fun and informative series about clothing of this era. You did a wonderful job on your dresses and duster
Nicely done! I love it when I find fabric to use in period clothing in expected sources. My last project involved making an Elizabethan parlet from curtain fabric
So happy to have found you via Katherine’s Corner. What an amazing post and you are quite the seamstress.
You both look fantastic, I especially love the coat. Gorgeous photos.
wow!!! fantastic featured on facebook! xo
Wow, you really did a fabulous job on your dresses. I am so impressed with your use of the materials you had to work with. You and your husband look awesome! What fun to dress the part and feel transported to another time. I’m sure that you were a head-turner at the event.
What a beautiful job you have done — again and again! I love the way you are so creative with tablecloths and curtains. How about doing the Victorian period when the big bustles were popular? Have you ever been to Dickens on the Strand in Galveston? They have a costume contest and there are some pretty amazing entries. You would love it!
You both look absolutely amazing. I’m in awe of your sewing skills. That some serious talent Laura. Beautifully done.
I lost my comment!!! Here goes again.
You are AMAZING, Laura. I love the two dresses and duster coat. You are so creative making them out of curtains and a sari you found at an estate sale. Can’t believe you found shoes to fit for $3.00. This post was so enjoyable. I truly am in awe of your talent and energy.
Awesome!! love the outfits and the cars!!
Laura, well aren’t you two the cat’s meow? I love everything about your costumes! The dresses, the hat, the coat, and the Mr. is perfect as well! Thanks for sharing with SYC. You will be featured this week.
hugs,
Jann
This post has been the most amazingly entertaining post in the history of my blogging years. I love all the photos and the detail you put into your dresses is incredible. That is just the way they did it back then, so many special touches here and there. One day your great, great, grandchildren will come across these photos and say . . . what year was this taken and how old did you say grandma and grandpa were? These photos may create a mystery to be solved, LOL.
You two are incredible. Obviously you had lots of fun with this challenge. The outfits are fantastic and I cannot believe you made the first dress out of a tablecloth. And the car is the perfect addition to an already perfect photoshoot.
Your dresses and outfits are wonderful, Laura!!! I’m impressed by your hand sewing skills ~ beautiful work. <3 I used to do a lot more hand-sewing but after 9 years of bookkeeping, all the ten-keying and typing ruined my fine motor ability for more than just a few stitches anymore. Miss all the needlework I did in my teens, 20's and 30's! I love how you went dressed up to the car show ~ how fun!!! Thank you so much for sharing your outfits with all of us. <3