In a Ruffle

Celebrating the Roaring Twenties in a Special Series

Here’s a real flapper silhouette for you: straight and long with a close-fitting cloche on top. Something about the combination of black and white – and silver in this case – seems quintessentially Twenties; minimal and slick. This ruffled woven raffia hat is actually from the 1960s, designed during a resurgence of interest in Art Deco style at that time.

During and after WWII, Art Deco had fallen out of favour not only due to wartime austerities, but also because it was perceived to be inappropriately luxurious. Its influence was felt with the 1974 film version of The Great Gatsby, and we are surely set to see modern flapper fashion with Baz Luhrman’s coming interpretation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s book.

Fashion Notes

I bought the hat from The Victory Theatre on a daytrip into the Blue Mountains when I visited Sydney back in February. The blouse is by Oxford, the skirt Veronika Maine, and the necklace from Eccentrix.