This is a guide to the Art Deco Look. You can use one or all of the suggestions below. Look in your parent’s closet, the family dress-up box, or the op shops. You’ll be surprised what you will find.
LADY’S OUTFIT
First find a shift dress, knee to mid-calf length, sleeveless or with a short sleeve. Look for a plain or mini-print floral design. Add a long scarf draped around the neck or across the hips, tied at the side. Add a long string of beads around the neck. Shoes can be a simple plain court show with a piece of narrow elastic added across the middle of the shoe to look like a bar across the foot.
LADIES – QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
1. Scarfs – long for use around the neck or the hip-line. Both not normally used together.
2. Jewellery – long slim earrings, beads, glass or plastic.
3. Frock – A shift with plain simple detail, small mini-print, plain colour, knee to mid calf length
4. Hat – ideally the straw cloche (or felt) with a small brim and decoration.
5. Shoes – plain court shoes with narrow elastic band to create bar across the foot.
MEN’S OUTFIT
Find a cream or white long sleeved shirt. A pale colour will also do. Trousers need to be cream or a white/neutral colour with a cuff. Next a small print neck scarf with spots or paisley design. A cravat tie is ideal if available. Tie the scarf or cravat like a normal tie, but inside the shirt against the skin. Do not push the point of the tie through the loop. Instead spread it straight down across the top and against your chest. Undo the shirt collar down to the second button. Light colour socks, and brown or black shoes. Two-tone shoes would be most appropriate.
MEN’S – QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
1. Shirt – long sleeved, cream or white or pale colour.
2. Trousers – Cream, white or pale colour with cuff bottom
3. Braces – plain colour (can be made out of plain elastic with appropriate clips)
4. Neck tie, cravat, or scarf - paisley or small spots print
5. Head – straw boater or panama. White or natural colour with a wide band
6. Waistcoat – plain or coloured stripe
7. Shoes – brown or black or two-tone with pale socks.