There’s something about 1920’s cloches that is simply not replicated when you pick up a cloche at Urban Outfitters, or even Anthropologie. The level of detail is missing, the clever layering, buttons, ribbon, and trim; what you are left with is a basic hat. Sometimes I want more than just a basic hat. I want something that makes a statement without being overt or tacky.
I’ve been pining over Etsy seller Hey Sailor!‘s cloches for a few months, unable to decide which one I really want because they are a bit pricey and I could probably only afford one…but man, are they gorgeous! It’s like that pair of shoes you had to have, but have nothing to wear with them, so you build an outfit around them.
Hey Sailor! also has some interesting and amazing hats that may work well for your Halloween costume or even inspire your costume. This is the only place I know of that you can get a tricorn with a schooner on it for your Marie Antoinette costume.
You are also in luck because the store is running a sale through October 4, with everything 30% off!
Here are my favorites:
Navy cloche with brown felt featherCream and coral clocheTilt topper hatSequin mouseketeer? YES!
I happened upon eBay seller luckyvintage in a fit of 1920’s shopping, inspired by my weekend at the Jazz Age Lawn Party. This Seattle-based seller has a small, but carefully selected, collection of clothing and accessories from the 1920’s and 1930’s. The starting prices for these items are very reasonable, considering their age and the detail of the garments. Have a look!
Beaded flapper dress with capeRust chiffon beaded 1920's dressGold lame and salmon 1920's dressBlack beaded 1920's dressPurple 1920's cloche
I’ve been on the hunt for a flapper headpiece this week and was overwhelmed by the sheer number of artisans creating such things on Etsy. Some are better than others and Rose of the Mire stuck out as one of those with particular attention to detail. There was a lovely air of romanticism in these pieces that drew me in to the “shop.”
I’ve been pining over this Beaded Flapper Headband, even though I don’t have anything to wear with it. It’s just the right amount of Art Deco, looks comfortable, not too much feather….just right.
Here are some other lovelies from the store:
Silver Fringe Beaded HeadbandHeadband with Swarovski CrystalFeather headband - I'd wear this in the winter with a white muff 🙂This also looks wintery and lovelyImpressive ostrich feather headband
If you have ever come across a 1920’s beaded gown for sale, odds are the retailer was asking upwards of $1,000 for the dress, if in mint condition. If not in mint condition, then the seller was still asking hundreds of dollars for the garment. Even then, there was no guarantee that the dress would not disintegrate upon wearing, and dancing in it was out of the question.
I could only lust after these dresses, wishing I could cut a rug and hear the soft swishing of beads like the dancers in the Great Gatsby movie.
The unattainable is now attainable. Leluxe Clothing Company offers hand beaded dresses in modern materials that give you the quality and craftsmanship of a 1920’s beaded dress without the worry that the dress will fall apart.
According to the web site, “LeLuxe Clothing Company was founded in 2000 with the goal of continuing the traditions of design and craftsmanship of a bygone era. Working in the costume houses of Hollywood, owner Jill Schliesmann realized the fragile creations of diaphanous cottons, laces, and beaded silks were being lost to time. She and her husband, Shane Burroughs, recognized a void that needed to be filled – a style that needed to be revived so that those creations could live again. LeLuxe Clothing Company makes the fun and luxury of the Jazz Age accessible to the Twenty-first Century. The combined experiences of Ms. Schliesmann and Mr. Burroughs gives them insight into the specialized needs of the entertainment industry, the demands of cutting-edge fashion, and the fascinating sphere of collecting, preserving, and restoring vintage clothing. LeLuxe Clothing Company not only offers faithful reproductions of period designs, but also a number of exclusive designs created in the spirit of the 1920’s – dresses that embody creative energy, sharp design, and a wonderful sense of whimsy.”
These dresses are stunning. And sparkly. And wearable! They come in a variety of lengths and the owners have noted which dresses are best for dancing. The fit on 1920’s dresses does not have to be exact, which makes these dresses easy to size because the dress can be as fitted or loose as you want it to be. All of the dresses have different measurements, there is no uniform sizing, so pay close attention to the measurements before purchasing or dismissing.
The dresses are mesh, so a slip is an essential part of the ensemble. Leluxe also offers slips that are made to go under these dresses in a number of different colors. Depending on the look you want or the dress you have chosen, you can mix up the shape and the color of the slip.
As if the beaded dresses weren’t enough to make Leluxe fabulous, they also carry dreamy white cotton dresses with vintage embroidery. Everything is so lovely here!
It’s going to be hard to narrow this down and not post every dress on the web site, but here’s a sampling of these glorious dresses (most come in multiple colors):
The DuchessThe GarconneThe Fleur-de-lis (the red is not on the web site, but should be available soon)The EgyptianThe Deco StarThe Spider (this dress would be wicked cool on Halloween!)The VampGatsby Lawn DressThe Forget-Me-Not
This dress is bright green. BRIGHT GREEN. I think it’s awesome, but then I love anything green. 🙂 I love the bead work that goes into these dresses, and that the detail on the under-slip is so complimentary to the dress (and meant to be seen, but not seen). Perhaps you are looking for a dress to wear to the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governor’s Island or a dress to wear on New Year’s Eve at Lindy Focus? The bidding is only at $36 right now, but if you get this dress for under $100 it will be a steal!
Lindy Shopper 