Great Gatsby party?

The Great Gatsby stands for glamour, glitter and grotesque parties from the 1920s of America. The party elite's motto was 'a little party never killed nobody'. The women's skirts and flapper dress became shorter and provocative during the roaring twenties. This vintage style of clothing and parties is now regularly used as a theme.
Below the explanation and tips you will find examples of outfits for a Great Gatsby Party.

Great Gasby dresses
Go to the Great Gatsby outfits.

Vintage outfits from the 20s

The Great Gatsby party is a reference to the extravagant parties described in Scott Fitzgerald's book of the same name from 1925. To show off the new wealth, extensive use was made of glitter and glamour in nightlife and daily fashion. With the reference to this period, the emphasis in this dress code is on the vintage look and clothing of a century ago. The most famous fashion image of that time is the garçonne look of the ladies, whereby the curves were displayed as minimally as possible. The dresses were as straight as possible, so that some ladies pursued an almost boyish look.
The style was by no means prudish, the clothing was more provocative. The length of the skirts became shorter, bare shoulders and the low back became the standard. The fabrics used became more transparent and / or provided with exuberant decorations. At the elite parties, many long dresses were also worn, finished with beaded or glamour fabrics. In addition to the black dresses, the colours became more radiant red, white, blue or a contrasting combination.
Because of the shorter dresses, there was more freedom to move and dance. A pair of danceable pumps are therefore an indispensable item for your outfit.
As accessories you have a lot of options, from hats and feathers in hair to striking glamour bracelets, earrings and jewellery.

Tips for a Great Gatsby Outfit

  • Dress with a short skirt
  • Long glitter dress with a low back
  • Transparent fabrics
  • Visible shoulders
  • Radiant colours
  • Danceable Pumps
  • Hat or feathers in the hair
  • "Luxury" jewellery
  • Go over the Top!

Dresses for a Great Gatsby Party

Fitted glamour prom dress with illusion deep V-neck and revealing open back, embellished completely in an intricate pattern of sequins | modelnr g-mo2-62

Fitted glamour prom dress with illusion deep V-neck and revealing open back, embellished completely in an intricate pattern of sequins.

Charming black evening dress with a slit, cross halter closure, keyhole opening and silver sequins at the waist. | modelnr g-u2-183

Charming black evening dress with a slit, cross halter closure, keyhole opening and silver sequins at the waist.

Sexy sequin dress with thigh-high slit, a fitted bodice with deep v-neckline and a revealing crisscross back | modelnr g-mo2-61

Sexy sequin dress with thigh-high slit, a fitted bodice with deep v-neckline and a revealing crisscross back.

Bright blue evening gown with V-neckline, the bodice is beautifully decorated with embroidered white flowers and leaves. | modelnr g-u2-184

Bright blue evening gown with V-neckline, the bodice is beautifully decorated with embroidered white flowers and leaves.

Glamour prom dress decorated with beaded appliqués on lace and lines of sparkling sequins on the fitted skirt | modelnr g-mo2-65

Glamour prom dress decorated with beaded appliqués on lace and lines of sparkling sequins on the fitted skirt.

Black short prom dress with long puffed sleeves, the bodice has a straight strapless neckline | modelnr c-1-50

Black short prom dress with long puffed sleeves, the bodice has a straight strapless neckline.

Luxurious prom dress with back sweep train and a fitted bodice adorned with beautiful lace appliqués and heat set stones | modelnr g-mo2-67

Luxurious prom dress with back sweep train and a fitted bodice adorned with beautiful lace appliqués and heat set stones.

Modern short cocktail dress in beige, beautifully decorated with beaded applications in a modern pattern | modelnr c-n1-80

Modern short cocktail dress in beige, beautifully decorated with beaded applications in a modern pattern.

Fitted glamour prom dress with illusion deep V-neck and revealing open back, embellished completely in an intricate pattern of sequins | modelnr g-mo2-62

Fitted glamour prom dress with illusion deep V-neck and revealing open back, embellished completely in an intricate pattern of sequins.

Black short dress, beautifully beaded with silver sequins, a modest V-neck and feathers on the hem of the skirt. | modelnr c-a1-71

Black short dress, beautifully beaded with silver sequins, a modest V-neck and feathers on the hem of the skirt.

Lace prom dress decorated with a floral pattern, an illusion deep V-neck, high slit and drop-shaped openings on the back. | modelnr g-a2-35

Lace prom dress decorated with a floral pattern, an illusion deep V-neck, high slit and drop-shaped openings on the back.

Long prom dress in light gold with a strapped V-neck lace bodice, elegant embroidered crisscross open back | modelnr g-2-166

Long prom dress in light gold with a strapped V-neck lace bodice, elegant embroidered crisscross open back.

Royalblue strapless prom dress with low back and high slit | modelnr g-2-181

Royalblue strapless prom dress with low back and high slit

Gold coloured glamour dress with straight strapless neckline in a fitted model | modelnr c-n1-25

Gold coloured glamour dress with straight strapless neckline in a fitted model.

A light pink prom dress features a flirty v neckline and breathtaking bodice adorned with sequins | modelnr g-2-199

A light pink prom dress features a flirty v neckline and breathtaking bodice adorned with sequins

Long stretch off-shoulder evening dress with lace bodice and a mermaid skirt | modelnr g-2-204

Long stretch off-shoulder evening dress with lace bodice and a mermaid skirt.

Black prom dress with low back and sweetheart illusion halter neckline | modelnr g-2-212

Black prom dress with low back and sweetheart illusion halter neckline .

Luxury prom dress with mermaid skirt in layers, the bodice is decorated with luxurious lace, has a deep V-neck both on the front and back | modelnr g-2-235

Luxury prom dress with mermaid skirt in layers, the bodice is decorated with luxurious lace, has a deep V-neck both on the front and back.

Long sequin prom dress with V-neck and low v-back, the skirt has a slit on the left leg and a small train | modelnr g-a2-36

Long sequin prom dress with V-neck and low v-back, the skirt has a slit on the left leg and a small train.

Stunning prom dress, the entire bodice is embroidered with sequins and appliqués, with high halter neckline and a mermaid tulle skirt | modelnr g-2-229

Stunning prom dress, the entire bodice is embroidered with sequins and appliqués, with high halter neckline and a mermaid tulle skirt

Off shoulder evening dress with lace bodice, a lace-up back and flared tulle skirt | modelnr g-2-232

Off shoulder evening dress with lace bodice, a lace-up back and flared tulle skirt.

Long evening dress with high-necked boat neck, the bodice features royal blue liquid beading on sheer nude fabric | modelnr g-5-15

Long evening dress with high-necked boat neck, the bodice features royal blue liquid beading on sheer nude fabric

Long glitter prom dress with sexy slit, the fitted bodice has a straight off-shoulder neckline and cap sleeves | modelnr g-2-237

Long glitter prom dress with sexy slit, the fitted bodice has a straight off-shoulder neckline and cap sleeves.

Stylish long evening dress with a scoop neckline, the sleeveless bodice with side cut-outs and beaded waistband highlights your figure | modelnr g-5-16

Stylish long evening dress with a scoop neckline, the sleeveless bodice with side cut-outs and beaded waistband highlights your figure

Cheap prom dress in magenta pink with V-neck and halter neckline | modelnr g-n2-48

Cheap prom dress in magenta pink with V-neck and halter neckline.

Black flared evening dress with V-neck bodice and narrow straps | modelnr g-n2-66

Black flared evening dress with V-neck bodice and narrow straps.

Fitted mermaid prom dress fully beaded with sequins, the spaghetti straps run all the way to the criss-cross low back | modelnr g-a2-37

Fitted mermaid prom dress fully beaded with sequins, the spaghetti straps run all the way to the criss-cross low back.

Long evening dress with V-neck, beaded applications on the shoulder straps and a slit in black, iron and grape. | modelnr g-n2-113

Long evening dress with V-neck, beaded applications on the shoulder straps and a slit in black, iron and grape.

Silver grey evening dress with pleated skirt, the high-neck line bodice is beautifully decorated with white coloured stones | modelnr g-n2-117

Silver grey evening dress with pleated skirt, the high-neck line bodice is beautifully decorated with white coloured stones.

Two tone strapless prom dress with sweetheart neckline, the ivory linear patterns run beautifully over the stretch jersey fabric. | modelnr g-5-22

Two tone strapless prom dress with sweetheart neckline, the ivory linear patterns run beautifully over the stretch jersey fabric.

Elegant evening dress in black and blue, the bodice is featured with a high neckline and a modern open back | modelnr g-u2-14

Elegant evening dress in black and blue, the bodice is featured with a high neckline and a modern open back.

High-closed evening dress with a semi-open back into an hourglass shape, a boat neckline and long skirt | modelnr g-u2-187

High-closed evening dress with a semi-open back into an hourglass shape, a boat neckline and long skirt.

Shimmering fitted prom dress with a deep V-neck, halter neckline, a low keyhole back and a dramatic mermaid skirt | modelnr g-mo2-68

Shimmering fitted prom dress with a deep V-neck, halter neckline, a low keyhole back and a dramatic mermaid skirt.

Black evening dress with a high-necked boat neck, is elegantly finished with beads and has a v-neckline on the back. | modelnr g-u2-185

Black evening dress with a high-necked boat neck, is elegantly finished with beads and has a v-neckline on the back.

Charming prom dress in a tight fit, the bodice has a deep V-neck and low back | modelnr g-2-179

Charming prom dress in a tight fit, the bodice has a deep V-neck and low back.

Long black dresses features shining beaded bodice with keyhole back and high slit | modelnr g-n2-38

Long black dresses features shining beaded bodice with keyhole back and high slit.

Elegant v-neckline long prom dresses with slim spaghetti straps that creates a crisscross styling at the open back | modelnr g-2-95

Elegant v-neckline long prom dresses with slim spaghetti straps that creates a crisscross styling at the open back.

Attractive long black evening dress with a high slit, the bodice features a high neckline and transparent open back with narrow straps | modelnr g-u2-9

Attractive long black evening dress with a high slit, the bodice features a high neckline and transparent open back with narrow straps.

Blue-grey evening dress with a deep V-neckline, the straight shoulder straps cross over the low back. | modelnr g-u2-186

Blue-grey evening dress with a deep V-neckline, the straight shoulder straps cross over the low back.

Glamour prom dress in three colours with an illusion halter neckline and applique detailing on the bodice | modelnr g-2-163

Glamour prom dress in three colours with an illusion halter neckline and applique detailing on the bodice.

Glamour prom dress in blue with sparkles and ruffles | modelnr g-2-79

Glamour prom dress in blue with sparkles and ruffles.

Strapless cocktail dress with floral embroidered lace for school proms | modelnr c-ul1-17

Strapless cocktail dress with floral embroidered lace for school proms.

Black long dress with sweetheart beaded bodice and side cut outs | modelnr g-2-154

Black long dress with sweetheart beaded bodice and side cut outs.

Exclusive black evening dress with silver beaded bands over the shoulder and waist | modelnr g-u2-16

Exclusive black evening dress with silver beaded bands over the shoulder and waist.

Pink lace short dresses, sleek model with transparent low back. | modelnr c-mo1-19

Pink lace short dresses, sleek model with transparent low back.

Lace cocktail dresses with high neck and cold shoulders in black and burgundy red | modelnr c-ul1-3

Lace cocktail dresses with high neck and cold shoulders in black and burgundy red.

Accessoires

Wearing accessories became a standard, and hats and jewellery were also worn during the day. A well-known cap from that time is the clochet hat. An excessive number of accessories was worn to a party, the ladies chose a lot of "luxury" jewellery. The long imitation pearl necklaces and scarves were much chosen items. A big necklace with large stones was certainly not over the top. The hair was often decorated with a decorative feather or a small hat. The earrings, rings and bracelets were certainly not missing. People wanted to be seen and show how prosperous they were. The outfits had to radiate glitter and glamour.

Open Prom shoe with black straps, sale € 35, - in size 36

Open Prom shoe with black straps, sale € 35, - in size 36.

Black hat, modern and trendy

Black hat, modern and trendy

Pump with medium height heel with a black and white snake print, sale for € 39, - in size 37

Pump with medium height heel with a black and white snake print, sale for € 39, - in size 37.

Hair accessories ivory white, flowers for in the hair

Hair accessories ivory white, flowers for in the hair

Metallic golden pump with low heel, available in half sizes | model Brooke

Metallic golden pump with low heel, available in half sizes.

Hair flowers on clip in red, ivory, black, green and burgundy

Hair flowers on clip in red, ivory, black, green and burgundy

Hair jewelry with ivory, yellow-black feathers

Hair jewelry with ivory, yellow-black feathers

Hair corsages, ostrich feathers on diadem or comb

Hair corsages, ostrich feathers on diadem or comb.

Cream hat on diadem with decorative feathers and mesh

Cream hat on diadem with decorative feathers and mesh.

Black fuchsia feathers for the hair

Black fuchsia feathers for the hair.

The roaring twenties, also fashion wise

The 1920s were the period of major changes. Not just the social or political transitions that caused a shift. There was also a shift in the fashion industry. The ladies started using clothing to show themselves and break with the conventional rules. For the first time there were clear fashion trends in daily and nightlife.

After the First World War there was a big rise in prosperity. People could spend more money on luxury products and their appearance. The "new rich" wanted to show this and this led to a huge growth in the fashion world. The designs became provocative and extravagant. The ladies were given the opportunity to show their femininity. More skin became visible, especially the shoulders and legs were shown openly. The dresses and skirts became shorter, but in most cases, they remained above the knee. This also had a practical advantage in the nightlife. In the bustling club circuit, partly at secret locations because of the ban on alcohol, was extensively danced. With the influence of jazz music, new dances were invented, such as the Charleston. To shorten the skirts even more for these dances, the fringe was decorated with strands of fabric, which created the flapper dress.

Beautiful legs could be seen, the invention of the skin-coloured tights certainly contributed to that. The fabrics became thinner and made it seem like they were bare legs.

The Great Gatsby

In 1925 the American Scott Fitzgerald wrote one of the best-selling stories ever: The Great Gatsby.

The story is set on Long Island in New York in the turbulent 1920s. A charming ex-veteran, Jay Gatsby, managed to work his way up to the rich upper class and own a luxurious estate. No one knew where he and his wealth came from. He became famous for giving extravagant parties. The new rich and VIPs came to the parties to see and to be seen. And a party could well be used to escape the everyday problems and the ban on alcohol. The real purpose of organizing the parties appears later in the story.

Are you curious about how the story ends or do you want to get a picture of what the parties looked like at the time? The book has been made into a beautiful film with Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead. We can also recommend the book for true enthusiasts.