It’s 2024, not 1924, but don’t let that stop you from dressing like the most fashionable flapper at the Roaring 20s speakeasy!
Sometimes when I walk around my city and see the dress around me, I wonder if it’s truly 2024 or if I’ve transported back 100 years to the 1920s. All things in fashion are cyclical, and clearly the Roaring 20s are having their time to shine again at the present.
Maybe you want to get in on some 1920s flavor to your wardrobe, but you don’t know where to look. Most articles that aim to give you hints push you toward luxury brands that sell dresses priced at your portion of the monthly rent. If you only look to Elle and Vogue for answers, you might think only billionaires can afford to appear as if it’s the Prohibition era.
Rest assured: this is not the case. If you want to indulge in high fashion and the pretty penny it asks of you, then by all means. If you don’t or can’t, then you’ve come to the right place.
Dress Like a 1920s Flapper Girl, Affordably
The flapper dress is iconic. The scarves, the hats, the shoes. You know exactly what I’m talking about. And if you want to nail the 1924 look the next time you go out in 2024, but don’t want to ruin your financial future to get there, then consider these avenues.
Thrift Stores
If you live in a metropolitan area, especially somewhere with a long history and culture, then you need to check out your local thrift stores to help build your 1920s flapper outfit.
Cheap and capable of housing gems you wouldn’t find anywhere else, thrift stores can be a gateway to so much good for your wardrobe. As the secret about them has gotten out more, they have become a bit more expensive, and there is more competition for the best stuff. But don’t overlook thrift stores - those who skip will never feel the rush of finding the perfect piece of clothing, checking the tag, and finding the correct color to knock its price down from $4 to $2.
Part of why that’s so satisfying, though, is because of the real time and effort it takes to comb through racks and racks of what is mostly garbage. Know this before you walk into a thrift store expecting the gains to come easy.
eBay & Other Resale Sites
Thrift stores do not have search bars. This is a distinct advantage of the internet.
You can find tons of amazing accessories and dresses on eBay and other clothing resale websites for prices that are much easier to stomach than whatever Neiman Marcus is suggesting. The prices are probably higher than at the thrift store down the road, especially when you consider shipping, but that’s what you pay for the convenience. You can still pick up a beautiful, classic flapper dress on eBay for under $50.
Estate Sales
You can come across all kinds of things at estate sales from eras long gone, including clothing, shoes, and accessories. You never know what will be for sale at these events, and if you are trying to curate a flappers outfit on a budget, these should be on your calendar.
But like thrift stores, you should know what you’re getting yourself into. You could throw away tons of time and come across nothing of value to you. There is also no guarantee that what you find will be super cheap. It will be cheaper than new, but it might not beat what you could find online. Then again, it could. That’s the game. Play at your own peril.
Raid Your Grandma’s Closet
Given that the Roaring 20s were 100 years ago, the odds that you have a living family member or other person in your life who was a flapper girl back in the day are slim. But, the oldest people you know might still have some vintage pieces, either from that time or after, that can fit into your 1920s aesthetic. More than likely, they would be thrilled for you to have and enjoy it rather than it collecting more dust in the basement.
This is by far the cheapest option as it is presumably free. It also gives you the smallest selection size. You also need permission - please do not steal from people, especially the elderly.
Check Out Your Local Makers
Craft shows can be great places to find small, local vendors - like Red Leaves Studio! - who make and curate unique and affordable clothes and accessories. This is a fantastic way to unearth jewelry you might not find elsewhere. Plus, vintage clothing markets cater to this exact sort of mission.
Pop Up Pickers, a vintage clothing and makers market I often participate in, fits this description to a tee. If you’re in the Columbus area, check out one of their markets. Odds are, you’ll find at least one piece of your 1920s puzzle, and you won’t have to break the bank to do it.
I am a fan of the 1920s aesthetic, and I’ve made multiple earring styles that harken back to that alluring flapper era.
Inspired entirely by the jazz era and appropriately named, my Gatsby style is designed to make you look as if you just experienced an F. Scott Fitzgerald party. Thin, elegant, and extravagant, I’m confident that a pair of these would complete any modern flapper impression!
I have two other styles that I think could be the final pieces to the right Roaring 20s outfit: my Black & Gold Patterned Mega Studs and my Geometric Square Studs. The Black & Gold Patterned Mega Studs feature a jagged design that would pair well with a flapper outfit centered around either black or gold. The Geometric Square Studs are less cutting but offer similar vibes and more versatility. They could go well in a gold or black-centered outfit, as well as jewel tones like sapphire blue and emerald green.
It’s more expensive to buy from someone who handmakes their art than a mass-produced product, but I pride myself on keeping my work affordable. You can purchase a pair of any of those earrings styles on my website for $23, and if you are a new shopper with Red Leaves Studio, you can use the code “WELCOME” at checkout to get free shipping and continue to keep your costs low.
If you can’t make it out to a Pop Up Pickers or other show that I feature in around Columbus, check out my catalog for these Roaring 20s styles and more!
Edited by Justin Meyer.