The 1920s Flapper Girl was a woman in touch with her feelings and desires, dominated by no one,and who fearlessly experimented with her identity. I think all of us can be inspired by this sentiment. Taking a cue from my book distraction-of-the-moment, Bright Young Things, by Alison Maloney, here’s a guide for you on how to be one. This is your first step toward breaking out of a style, personality or generally fear-based rut.
PICK A SIGNATURE
Commit to a signature look (even if it’s just for a few weeks or months). Smoke up your eyes, Use thick mascara, make eyelids shine with Vaseline (like Flappers did) and keep the rest of your makeup minimal.
Maybe your eyebrows are thick! If you’re insecure about your thick eyebrows, DONT CUT THEM, SHAVE THEM or OVERPLUCK! Chances are you were given those eyebrows in your genes on purpose because your face balances out best when you leave them alone. Grow them out and invest in a trip to a really good eyebrow specialist. I’m telling you the secret to a youthful look in your face is thick eyebrows. Thinning eyebrows make you look older, thick eyebrows make you look younger. Take a look at women over 40 who look exceptionally young (Jennifer Connelly, Rachel Weisz, Lena Headey, Sofia Vergara), most of them have thick eyebrows. So make those babies WERK for you!
If your lips are your favorite feature, again, keep makeup minimal but go for a strong, bright color! I love Candy Yum-Yum from Mac (above), for example. If you’re trying to break a cycle of boring style, lipstick is literally the LEAST you can do.
HOST A SCAVENGER HUNT PARTY
Back in the 1920s the Bight Young Things played games to pass the time, like inventing elaborate scavenger hunts. It’s a tradition that’s died out and I think we should resurrect…
Tips fr
include dividing
your friends into teams, sending them out to find items (like a Record of a classic Jazz artist, a vintage Tube of Lipstick, a Fedora, an empty bottle of Gin, etc!), having a signature Roaring 20’s Champagne Punch (I LOVE Champagne with St. Germain), and a pumped up Roaring 20s music playlist for when everyone returns, including:
https://soundcloud.com/djgrafter/get-down-tonight-grafter-edit
https://soundcloud.com/mr-woox/its-funny
PUT ON A TIE
Nothing said rebellion back then like a woman in menswear. There’s still a rebellion in it to this day. A glamorous, beautiful woman effortlessly slipping into a suit or tie grabs everyone’s attention. Don’t be afraid to shine! Bring out the brassy/tough/glamorous you…
LEARN HOW TO MIX
Finding a true Mixologist among friends is rare. Get a head start by learning how to make 3 spectacular cocktails that vary in type, so you’ve always got a cocktail up your sleeve to please almost anyone.
I also recommend carrying around some BITTERS in your purse, satchel, clutch or case. You can add these to any drink for a more sophisticated flavor.
Here are two recipes every Bright Young Thing ought to know…
Gibson
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2 1/2 ounces Gin
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1/4 ounce dry Vermouth
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1 Pearl Cocktail Onion
(Gin can be substituted with Vodka and Onion with Olive for a Vodka martini, pour in olive juice to make it deliciously dirty)
Parisian Sidecar
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1 1/2 ounces St-Germain elderflower liqueur
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1 ounce brandy or Cognac
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1/2 ounce Cointreau or other orange-flavored liqueur (Triple sec, Grand Marnier, etc)
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1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
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Ice
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Shake Vigorously and strain over ice in a chilled martini or cocktail glass
(for a regular sidecar, omit St. Germain)
SPEAK EASY
You gotta know your onions to be the Bees Knees!
Instead of “That’s Ridiculous”, say “OH, APPLESAUCE!”
Instead of “Where are my glasses?” say, “YOU SEEN MY CHEATERS?”
Instead of “I need a drink”, say “I’M READY FOR SOME GIGGLE WATER”
(then, later that night, don’t say you’re “shitfaced” say you’re “HALF-SEAS OVER”)
Instead of “That’s right!”, say “NOW YOU’RE ON THE TROLLEY”
Instead of saying “He’s hot”, say “OH, HE’S A BIG SIX”
Instead of saying “Legs”, call ’em GAMS
DRESS THE PART
You can easily recall the era of Bright Young Things by slipping on a few choice modern, vintage pieces. Some of my current favorites are these…
You can easily recall the era of Bright Young Things by slipping on a few choice modern, vintage pieces. Some of my current favorites are these…
(above) Stand-out Poker Heart Clutch by Oasap,
Beaded Tassel Lariat by BaubleBar
Snowball Pearl Cuff by Bauble Bar
Pave Halo Ear Jackets by Bauble Bar
Beautiful Double-Pearl Studs (SO classy and chic) by Blu Bijoux
Glamorous & Fun Women’s Lucas Top by Parker.
For more inspiration, check out Alison Maloney’s BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS available from Random House Publishers.
It’s perfect pre-summer reading for planning your SCANDALOUS emergence as a Bright Young Thing.
