The year 2013 is bringing the ’20s back. From the broad black and white stripes to well-tailored suits, and of course the fabulous flapper dresses, the swinging Twenties are back! With the worldwide release of The Great Gatsby, the global fashion scene has taken considerable inspiration from the lavish movie ensembles, and one can see the return of the classic sartorial statements from the bygone Twenties.

Designer duo Bharat and Reshma inform that fashion in 1920s was very colourful, flamboyant and at the same time exotic and elegant. The duo mention, “Fashion from 1920s is surely going to catch the fancy of the youth who want to look flamboyant and classy at the same time. With the movie showcasing ’20s fashion trends, local designers will also tweak the trends and incorporate the ’20s style in their creations. Gem bracelets, Oriental embroidery, kimono cut evening jackets, velvets and brocades, knife-pleat skirts, cloche hats, short bobs, drop-waists, thin knee-high dresses would be big in the coming days.”
Whereas, for designer Shouger Merchant Doshi, sequins, feathers, floral fabrics and tassels mark the style of the 1920’s. She says, “All of this has come back in style and has prevailed upon our Indian sensibilities. Feathers and floral fabrics are often used in our gowns and sequins are used predominantly in every possible form in anarkalis, in saree borders and in blouses and lehengas as embellishments. Tassels are in vogue and I am sure we will soon be seeing a lot more of them in our forthcoming collections.”
For designer Varruna Kapur, the 1920s was a liberating era for women and it holds a strong contemporary relevance. She says, “During the 1920s, ’30s and ’40s there were clothes for specific times of the day, and specific rules for seasons. Dress rules were observed by nearly everyone. The trends describe appropriate dress for business, travel, church, shopping, tea, garden party, dinner, theatre, opera or balls. The Great Gatsby falls into the ‘garden party’ category, much like an elegant garden wedding nowadays. In ’20s, most of the design emphasis was dropped to the hip, the skirt was shorter but below the knee, and the bust kept flat.”
Designer Heena Malhotra adds, “In The Great Gatsby, the directors have come up with the old yet captivating trends of the ’20s with a modern twist, this flick will revive the trends of bygone era. Trends like elongated torsos, flowy skirts, heavily stone-studded headbands, layered statement neckpieces are already getting popular.”
The ’20s fashion is incomplete without eye-catching accessories, make-up and hairdos. Designer Pam Mehta highlights, “Trends like dresses with dropped waistlines, the flapper look, use of headgears and hair accessories, knee-length skirts, breeches, hip-length tunics and sweaters are trendy again. Bobbed hair, headgears, big eye makeup, soft wavy hairdos etc are catching the fancy of young girls. The film strongly advocates the ’20s look, glamour and sophistication. I think Indian women could wear knee-length dresses with dropped waistlines, sheer tunics embellished with glamorous beading, bold eye and lip makeup, wavy hair, ornate headgear and stilettos to get this look.”
This season will see the revisit of suits and bow ties, says designer Vandy Mehra, who adds, “Accessories will be minimal, a classic tie pin is going to make a huge comeback. Comfort with style is going to be the mantra. We can already see the rise in demand for well-fitted black suits with classic white shirt. Double-breasted suits are a big hit this season with traditional detailing in buttons with chains and a tiepin.”