Show Your Gatsby Side

When the Francis Marion Hotel opened in 1924, the famous 1920s dance craze that began in the dance halls of Charleston was not only sweeping the nation, but also defining an era. The Roaring 20s was a decade that infused a nation with fads, fashion, and slang that pretty much laughed in the face of prohibition.

Women bobbed their hair, experimented with dropped waistlines and hem lengths, and adorned themselves with beads, feathers and bling.  Dapper Dans strutted around with suspenders and spats, zoot suits and vests.

Slang was colorful and while several words and phrases have remained part of modern vernacular, there are some best left in the 20s.

 

For example: Flat Tire: used to indicate that one’s date did not meet expectations. ie: “She seemed so interesting, but she was nothing but a flat tire!” OUCH!

Or this one:

“Cash or Check?”: “Will you kiss me now or do we wait until later?”

Note: “Check” on its own means to take a raincheck on kissing or save the kiss for another time.

I will certainly chuckle the next time a sales clerk asks me that question. Of course, today the term is “Debit or Credit?”

Some of the popular phrases of the 1920s have lingered on with baby boomers like me, but young people today probably don’t know the meaning of “cup of joe” or “looking out for the fuzz” or “the cat’s meow.”

A 1920s theme just seemed like the cat’s pajamas for the AHP’s Student Party since the decade flourished with young people who were making a statement and it was full of crazy fun.

So, how do you show your Gatsby side? Flapper style dresses and pin-striped suits are easy to find online or in party stores or thrift shops. I found my flapper dress online located in The Netherlands. Judy found her outfit in a local thrift shop in Daytona. No time to shop? Head to your local party store and grab a boa, some beads and a feather headband for the ladies or suspenders and a bowler hat for men. You will be The Bees Knees. 

Join AHP members on Friday night, June 20 for the AHP Student Award Party, HOOFIN' IT. Starting at 5:30 p.m. It'll be swell.