Fashion style "Chicago 1920-1930s" tells us directly where and when it originated. These years became significant due to the rapid growth of crime led by gangsters, whose images are well known to everyone from films about the mafia. But Chicago in the 1930s wasn't just about serious guys who didn't respect the letter of the law. This is a special style, intertwining luxury (albeit sometimes false), brilliance, morals without boundaries...
Mafia spirit and a shortcut to money
Sometimes you can’t help but think about why history so carefully cherishes and preserves bloody atrocities, favors murderers and hanged men, literally glorifying them.
Why is an antihero still the only key to the success of any film or bestseller? It is unknown why the human psyche is structured this way. But it’s designed that way, so a gangster-style party promises to be memorable and fashionable.
40 degrees of history
The introduction of Prohibition in America turned alcohol into the sweetest, most profitable “forbidden fruit”; the Italian mafia put the production of the prohibited drink in first place, trying to increase profits.
Alcohol has become very fashionable. The number of people drinking increased, not decreased, but the Federal Center and local authorities could not resist this.
Who doesn't know Al Capone, who became a millionaire during Prohibition? This now world-famous mafioso is the hero of many books and films.
Bonnie and Clyde are known for the brutal murders of this couple. They understood in advance that they were doomed, so they were fearless, daring, and arrogant like no one else.
Robberies, thefts, murders. At the same time, they had some incredible luck, an instinctive instinct, so the bloody lovers more than once came out of the water unscathed.
What about John Dillinger? Just think, he started out by stealing chickens! But acquaintance with the criminal world and hatred of the authorities changed John beyond recognition. Hacked safes, millions of banknotes and gold coins packed in bags, corpses of police officers shot at point-blank range.
This is such romance.
Master class on making dresses for 10-15 years old
Retro-style dresses for girls aged 10-15 are made of thick satin, 2 m long. Dense and bright fabric holds its shape well, which allows you to wear a New Look style model with a flared sun skirt even without adding a petticoat .
To make a dress:
- Using a standard pattern as a basis, you need to set aside 5 cm from the edge of the armhole down and draw a line to the edge of the bust dart. By cutting this line and connecting the top dart, you can create a side dart.
- To expand the neckline, you need to lay 6 cm to the left from its shelf to the shoulder line. From the found point, you need to put another 4 cm to the left to construct the shoulder seam.
- During movement, 9 cm are laid down from the neck, and another 8 cm from the found point to the left. This is done to outline the neck of the model.
- Exactly the same steps need to be drawn on the back of the product, placing 6 and 4 cm to the left of the neckline and 10 cm down the middle seam.
- To make a circle skirt, satin fabric needs to be folded into 4 layers and a pattern attached to it. To create folds, the waist of the skirt needs to be increased by 20 cm.
- When cutting the product, you need to add seam allowances (1.5-2 cm).
- Darts need to be basted in 4 pieces. on the bodice and 2 on the back of the product, and then stitch them, remove the basting threads and iron them.
- The side and shoulder seams are basted and then sewn together. The remaining seam allowances need to be processed with an overlocker. The resulting product needs to be smoothed well at the seams.
- To create a facing, the parts of the bodice and back need to be folded together so that an armhole line is formed, and then outline it along the edge, starting from the right sleeve and moving 4 cm from the edge. In the same way, you need to outline the line of the left sleeve, neckline and part of the back. While drawing, you need to mark seam allowances on the fabric that are exactly the same width as on the rest of the dress.
- Following the pattern, you need to cut out 5 parts from the interlining, not forgetting to apply the adhesive side of the lining to the wrong side of the facing. After ironing the front side of the non-woven fabric, it needs to be glued to the parts. The excess part of the lining can be trimmed off.
- Shoulder seams, facing seams and the neckline itself must first be basted, then stitched, the basting removed and smoothed with an iron.
- Applying the front side of the facing to the front side of the neck, you need to baste it along the edge to the neck of the front and back so that the shoulder seams on the facing coincide with the shoulder seams of the product, and then stitch and smooth them
- Along the bend of the armhole, you need to make small notches that do not reach the seam 2-3 mm, which will allow you to make a beautiful bend of the product, and then, after checking them for the same width, you can lay the edge of the facing.
- Stepping back from the seam connecting the main product with the facing 3-5 mm, you need to lay a stitch on the front side so that the seam does not reach the cut line of the back about 5 mm. This is done so that it is convenient to sew the edge of the facing to the zipper.
- To make a skirt on a sewing machine, you need to set the maximum stitch length (with minimal thread tension) and sew along the edge of the skirt (at the waist) on the front side of the product. You need to leave a long thread at the edge of the completed seam and gently pull it, tightening the fabric. The edge of the skirt should be pulled to a length corresponding to the waist circumference.
- Having returned the sewing machine to its original position, you need to connect the bodice of the dress with the skirt, carefully sweeping it, and then stitch the seams, overlock them and iron them well.
- In order to sew a zipper, its edge needs to be basted to the edge of the back middle seam, moving from the back neck to the end of the zipper. Having set the stitch length to 6.6-7 on the sewing machine, you need to sew the zipper so that the seam falls exactly at the location of the hidden seam.
- Having closed the zipper, you need to attach the seam of the second half of the zipper so that the middle seams coincide, and then you should stitch it too.
- In order to sew a facing to a zipper, interlining should be stitched along its edge, trim off unnecessary allowances, hide the edge of the zipper and turn the product inside out.
- The remaining unsewn middle seam on the skirt should be swept up to the zipper, stitched and immediately smoothed.
- The finished dress needs to be put on the girl, and then measure the required length of the skirt from the edge of the product and baste it along the entire length, aligning the edges. Setting aside 2 cm from the edge, you need to stitch it, process it with an overlocker and iron it well.
- The facing on the product with a hand seam must be basted to the main fabric with a thin needle.
- The finished dress needs to be ironed well.
- To make a belt, you need to cut out 2 strips 4 cm wide (with a seam allowance of 0.5 cm). The length of the strips should be equal to the waist circumference increased by 2-3 cm. Additionally, 2 more strips are cut out, 20 cm long and 4 cm wide. The prepared strips must be trimmed with interlining on the wrong side and sewn along the side seam, having previously swept it.
- Using a pin, turn the belt right side out and iron it well.
- You need to make a bow from a short belt, fold it in several layers and stitch it in the middle, attach it to the central part of the belt.
- By bending the edge of the belt inward, you need to sew a circular seam, and at its left end mark a place for a loop so that the selected button fits freely into it.
- You need to baste the loop on the machine, and then cut it in the middle.
- You need to sew a button on the other end of the belt.
- The finished belt needs to be ironed and attached to the dress.
About the code of clothing in the style of Chicago of the 30s
Image and atmosphere
American retro has a special, intoxicating appeal; cinematic masterpieces about those times have become legendary. “Deja Vu”, “Some Like It Hot”, “The Godfather”. Gangsters, police, beautiful girls. Session in the style of Chicago 30s - cool.
The dress code for such a party is half the success. Men dress up in elegant suits, and seductive beauties wear stylish retro hairstyles and bright makeup. Cigars, wads of money and revolvers are welcome.
What should a gangster be like?
Gangsters were real trendsetters, they were at the forefront of it, having two dozen shoes, fifty suits, changing cars like ordinary gloves. A diamond in a tie clip was especially chic. In a word, beau monde.
The suit, made to order by gangsters, is a double-breasted jacket, just like in the 90s in Russia, a classic two or three piece. The fit is impeccable, the boots are shiny, the shirts are immaculately ironed.
A plain shirt could be a very bright color; thin stripes were not prohibited. Instead of a tie, a chic bow tie was also allowed. Headdress – Borsalino hat made of high-quality felt.
Important!
Maximum resemblance to the image of a Chicago gangster can be achieved by wearing stylish white gaiters (or socks); snow-white gloves are ideal. Don't forget about accessories that suit your style. A handkerchief or notebook sticking out of your pocket will look extremely appropriate.
Shoes that were fashionable in those years are also interesting. These are classic leather low shoes, with a round toe and a wide and low heel.
“Chicago piano”, Tommy gun, “engine of trade”, Thompson submachine gun, “trench broom”, “death machine” - this was the name of the most terrible weapon of the mafia, which became a symbol of gangster showdowns.
The famous Thompson, if desired, can be glued together from ordinary cardboard, and it will look like a real “gun”. In addition to paper, you will need springs and screws to mount the sight. For lack of time, you can buy a toy machine, the price of which ranges from 300 to 3000 rubles.
How to dress for ladies: dresses in the style of Chicago of the 30s
- Ladies can dress up in chic silk dresses; a fur cape and boa would be appropriate.
- The hat can also have a veil.
- The stockings will look simply chic, and if they have a revolver tucked into them, then it would be appropriate.
- A thin string of pearls, gold, rings - all this is recommended.
- Diamonds are not even specified, if any. Every pretty girl's best friend can sparkle like never before.
- Much attention should be paid to makeup: eyes should be expressive, lips should be bright, skin should be pale and perfectly smooth.
Women's fashion was not at all innocent, but it was extremely feminine. In those years, dresses were often made with a rectangular silhouette.
Note!
The cutout on the back of the erotic Marilyn Monroe in the film Some Like It Hot gives the impression that there is no underwear. Monroe on stage in a cocktail dress literally shows a light, mesmerizing striptease. The bra cups are sewn into such dresses; costume designers did this to emphasize sexuality.
Chicago style hairstyles
A hairstyle in the style of Chicago of the 30s requires not only special attention, but also dedicating time to it. These can be rollers, the modeling of which uses different linings.
The creation of cold waves and beautiful curls is encouraged. A spectacular side parting is also possible.
Hair styling in waves will create an elegant look, emphasize charisma, and add expressiveness to the face. To style your hair in the style of the 30s, you need to arm yourself with a hairdryer, hairspray, fixatives and a comb.
Gangster style for girls. Photo for a party, holiday. Hairstyles, clothes, accessories
The gangster style in clothes for girls (understood by fashion designers as the style of Chicago of the 30s) in recent years has been strongly associated with fun and chic themed parties, remembered by many from the 2013 film “The Great Gatsby”.
This style is popular because of its bombast and scope, and is therefore used at such events. What are the features of style and how to create the right look for a woman and a man will be discussed further with examples in the photo, and all the nuances of the wardrobe of that time.
Home furnishings for Cosa Nostra
American interior in the style of the 30s, frankly speaking, is unattainable in a hurry. You can’t redecorate a completely furnished room. Characteristic of that time were oak wall panels, solid solid furniture, and paintings hanging on the walls. But at the very least, you need to create a background for photos of the participants.
Particular attention should be paid to the design of tables and the serving of alcohol.
Forbidden drinks were sold in the 1930s in clandestine bars that were cleverly disguised. Or for a simple tea shop, or for a pharmacy, or for some kind of stationery store.
Upon entry and before serving a drink, a password was asked to avoid friction with the police. Orders could also be made in a conventional language.
Various posters can be printed. Roulette, card table, antiques, chips, cigarette holders - all this will help create the right atmosphere.
How to create a stylish look?
Dress
The first sign of Chicago images is femininity and beauty. Therefore, you will need a simple, fitted dress with a slightly lower waist and multiple decorations. First of all, it is a thick fringe, which is used to trim the hem of a skirt or décolleté area. Other design options: stones, beads, sparkles, lace, fur.
For sewing Chicago dresses, fabrics made from natural silk, delicate velvet, shiny satin or airy chiffon are best suited. Products in black, wine, blue, lilac and other noble colors look organic and stylish.
A long dress in the Chicago style is well suited for significant events and holiday celebrations. In short models it is convenient to dance and have fun at fiery youth parties, stylized in a retro spirit.
Chicago style wedding dresses are far from the usual classics. The bride has the opportunity to improvise in creating her outfit. A fitted dress, just below the knee length and tapering downward, looks stylish. The low-waisted model made of shiny flowing fabric looks especially impressive. White or flesh-colored fishnet stockings and tall, narrow gloves made of silk or lace go well with the wedding attire. A fluffy boa and a string of pearls will complete the bride's look.
Shoes
On your feet, wear elegant round-toe pumps fastened with a strap. The glass-shaped heel is low and stable. It is quite possible to replace the Chicago shoe option with a modern high stiletto heel.
Accessories
- A handbag similar to a postal envelope that is carried in the hands.
- On the head is a small hat or headband decorated with flowers or sequins.
- A long string of pearls wrapped several times around the neck. You can wear several gold plated chains or necklaces with artificial crystals.
- The shoulders are warmed and decorated with a fur stole.
- On the legs are dark stockings or tights with a fine mesh.
- The long, graceful mouthpiece in the hands is another bright, noticeable touch.
The main trend in fashion style: a set of shoes, hats, gloves and handbags are kept in the same color scheme.
Chicago themed party program
The party will be decorated by:
- Casino with scammers
- Thematic game
- Police raid
- Bank robbery
Nicknames and clans
Everyone who arrives at the party is given marked cards.
Each of them indicates belonging to one of the gangster families.
At the very beginning, each of those present must fill out a special Camorra (Honorary Mafia Society) card. It contains the real name, nickname or party name, and a short description of the character's character.
Achtung!
The wretchedness of fantasy will certainly produce many Al Capones, Clydes and Bonnies. It is recommended to warn guests that the name must be original and fictitious.
During the party, the host will read out a gangster nickname and ask the audience to guess who is behind it. Next, the cards are laid out on a roulette wheel, and a lottery of prizes takes place, which can be absolutely anything: Dillinger’s master key, a pack of spaghetti from the Godfather, a police secret code, etc. Clans may well compete in group games and competitions.
Fashion shows and competitions
The partygoers dressed up for a reason, so organizing a fashion show would be very helpful.
The Green Cutting competition will amuse the audience. Those who wish are blindfolded and cut off “bills” tied to strings and printed on a printer.
Everyone can become a participant in the competition with cards. Those wishing to participate are given a deck of cards. The first part of the task is to hide the cards on the body in different places as quickly as possible. This can conclude the competition. The second part poses a more difficult task - to find a card of a certain suit and value.
In short, you can use a lot of competitions for fun, rewarding participants with small dollar bills or various kinds of stylish souvenirs.
How to create a stylish look?
The gangster style is one of the favorites for girls; photos in the “Chicago” look are always recognizable. Several rules will help you make this image successful from scratch.
Necessary:
- Determine the strengths and weaknesses of your figure. Tight-fitting short dresses made of thin material will emphasize a petite build; loose dresses with rich drapery in the chest area will visually hide large breasts and problem areas along the edges of the underwear. Long floor-length dresses with a cutout at the back will emphasize good posture; they will also hide the uneven line of your legs. Dresses with a low waist will visually reduce the size of your hips and lengthen your height.
- Determine the purpose of the image. A sexy, figure-hugging men's gangster suit or fur boa won't work for lunch, and a modest dress with minimal accessories won't look interesting at a night out.
- Determine your color type to choose the appropriate dress color if it is not classic black or wedding white.
- Choose a dress and shoes.
- Choose accessories for the dress one at a time. For a beautiful magazine picture, the rule is 7 accessories to 1 basic outfit.
- Assess your capabilities in choosing jewelry and furs. The image should look expensive. When refusing genuine jewelry and furs, it is better to avoid fur capes altogether (rather than use faux fur) and choose 1-2 discreet pieces of costume jewelry. In this case, it would be more appropriate to focus on the headdress, handbag, and complexity of the dress.
Let's play Mafia. Are you ready to die from a gun or a knife?
Today it is difficult to imagine how such a party can do without the most popular game “Mafia”, which brings inimitable delight to both children and adults. The game is psychological in nature and requires artistic ability, self-control is encouraged.
The optimal number of participants in such a game is eight people. But it’s not scary if there are more or less people. So, the participants in the game are dealt cards face down.
If the suit is red, then the player portrays an honest resident; if it is black, then he is a mafioso. The one who gets the red jack is appointed commissioner.
Like in the song:
“Commissar Catani is the jack of trumps.” By the way, the game gained popularity in the 80s after the release of the film Octopus.
Representatives of the mafia meet at night, when the presenter announces that the city is sleeping, because a dark night has fallen on the peaceful city. The mafia opens its eyes and sees each other, gets to know each other.
Then the mafia falls asleep, the presenter asks the commissioner to wake up, now the presenter knows who “Katani” is.
During the day, residents “figure out” the mafia, the suspect with the most votes goes to prison, that is, simply put, drops out of the game. Revealing the “unfortunate” card, the presenter tells the audience whether a gangster was “killed” or a civilian was mistakenly punished.
At night, the mafia silently “shoots” one of the townspeople, pointing to the leader with gestures at one of the participants. The awakened commissioner has the right to inquire about someone; the presenter can show him with gestures what status the person the commissioner suspects has.
The mafia lies dishonestly, everyone pretends to be an ordinary resident of the town. The team whose members are completely killed loses.