The last century has left its mark on modern fashion trends. One of the current solutions remains the Chicago style. Spectacular and stylish images will not leave even the most modest fashionistas unnoticed. And original clothes and accessories will help emphasize originality and individuality.
Chicago style - history
This direction originates in the 20-30s of the last century. At that time, a “prohibition” law was adopted in America - a ban on the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages. Then all places of entertainment - clubs, casinos - were closed. However, young people did not agree with such rules, so “underground” bars and cabarets began to appear. Such establishments had their own dress code, implying attractiveness, shockingness, and catchiness. Girls began to shorten long hemlines and decorate their clothes with sparkling and even provocative decor.
One of the most current outfits was a dress with fringe in the Chicago style. During the day and in everyday life, such outfits were strictly prohibited, and only the most determined and desperate fashionistas took to the streets in such images. But often such ideas were immediately suppressed by the police. Evening combinations were fundamentally different from everyday ones, but such outfits and entertainment in general could only be afforded by wealthy people.
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Chicago style in clothing
Features of the gangster trend were shocking and catchy. Such qualities are inherent in both the outfits and the image as a whole. This fashionable line also has masculine notes. For example, in the 20s and 30s in America it was popular to wear pantsuits. But then these clothes were used by men, and later they moved into women's collections. Another distinguishing feature is luxury in everything, literally. Such looks are thought out to the smallest detail - from products and accessories to makeup and hairstyle. Let's find out what Chicago style is in clothing for women:
- Fabrics
. In those years, young people preferred expensive luxury materials. Then silk, satin, chiffon and velvet were considered such. An important criterion was the naturalness of the fabric, which ensured comfort at the party.
- Chicago color style
. The favorite palettes of fashionistas have become universal black and white, neutral beige and deep rich tones - blue, burgundy, emerald, brown.
- Chicago finishing style
. Fringe was the most popular decorative item. Asymmetrical and multi-layered cuts were popular. It was important to emphasize the wasp waist, so the belt area, as a rule, was low, and the yoke was complemented with thin straps or an open back.
Chicago style dress
This wardrobe item is considered the most characteristic of women of the 20s and 30s. For daily visits to clubs and bars, midi-length styles were sewn. Fashionistas wore elegant maxis to official meetings. The most popular were flowing and shiny fabrics - silk, satin, velvet. A dress with dangles in the Chicago style remains a fashion trend these days. Fringe or thin braids made of beads are used as decoration. The products were made with a low waist, which effectively outlines a feminine figure. The top of the clothing is open and will stylishly emphasize a Chicago-style tattoo.
Chicago style skirts
This item of clothing is considered less typical of the gangster trend. Often the theme will use a 1930s Chicago style dress. However, creative modern fashionistas are diversifying the combinations in an original way, creating a look with separate wardrobe elements. The current skirt in this case will be a classic pencil, decorated with cascading fringe or dangles along the edge of the hem. The length of such models often reveals the kneecap, but not above the middle of the thigh. Today, leather, suede, velvet, and silk are used to sew stylish products.
Chicago style suit
Your look will be not only stylish, but also practical if you use a trouser suit. Such models are presented in a classic cut. The legs can be straight or tapered. Smoothed arrows in the center are considered a stylish finish. In modern fashion, an increased length of 7/8 is welcomed, but the traditional women's suit in the Chicago style has standard parameters to the ankle. In such sets, the classic jacket is replaced with a short vest or goes in an ensemble with it. A stylish addition to the jacket would be a white shirt with a turn-down collar or a blouse with a frill.
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.
Chicago style look
In modern fashion, stylish gangster combinations are also used in everyday life. This is a unique way to emphasize your individuality and creativity in creating a bow. However, a Chicago style outfit is more suitable for themed parties or going out. Here the flight of imagination is not limited, and the appearance always stands out against the general background, bright and expressive. Let's look at the most current solutions:
- On every day
. For everyday wear, more discreet ideas are provided and trimmings are minimized. The current choice would be a classic suit combined with a fedora hat. Closed shoes - oxfords, pumps with low or medium heels.
- To the exit
. Elegant ensembles include not only a beautiful dress, but also accessories. Intricate headdresses, fur capes, fishnet stockings or tights are used here. Finish it off with classic pumps.
Chicago style hairstyles
Hair styling requires special attention. Stylish hairstyles are presented with neat, carefully styled solutions. The most popular choice is considered to be a smooth combed version with soft waves along the entire length. This hairstyle is suitable for both long hair and medium or short length hair. Another typical choice would be to lay it on its side. Here the hair is neatly and smoothly combed, and the ends are styled in fluffy comb or curls. This '30s Chicago style hairstyle is best suited for medium to long hair and is often complemented by a beautiful accessory.
Chicago style makeup
Make-up also plays an important role in the entire look. Considering that fashionistas of that time attached importance to every little detail and tried to stand out in everything, makeup in the style of Chicago of the 30s is striking and expressive. The current solution for the eyes is the smoky eyes effect. An alternative could be black wide arrows. The shape of the lips is emphasized by bright lipstick. The most popular are red shades. In this case, rich bloody tones and dark wine or burgundy color are appropriate. Be sure to highlight the contour of your face by highlighting your cheekbones with a warm-colored blush.
Chicago style manicure
This detail is given the last role. An important criterion in nail art is not so much the decorative side as the well-groomed skin and cuticles and the soft shape of the nail plates. To accentuate the Chicago style of the 1930s, stylists suggest choosing designs in the form of playing cards. A more spectacular and feminine solution would be the idea of a veil on the nails. However, you can stop at monochromatic ideas. Dark and rich colors of varnishes are suitable here - emerald, burgundy, blue, red and others. In modern fashion, stylists often complete a manicure with a matte top.
Chicago style accessories
There are always additions to the gangster image. The presence of stylish and attractive details is considered a must-have item that distinguishes the thematic appearance. Without a doubt, the most important element is clothing. But if there are no accessories in the look, then the catchy and luxurious effect will not be conveyed. At the same time, jewelry does not have to be chosen from jewelry collections. You can opt for large budget jewelry. But let's see what you can add to a girl's Chicago style look:
- Boa
. One of the characteristic additions is a voluminous feather scarf. A more practical and sophisticated solution would be a fur boa or stole, which are ideal for the cold season.
- Decorations
. Multi-level beads and chains have become trendy decorative accessories. Pearl jewelry not only for the neck, but also for the hands and ears is considered a stylish trend.
- Veil
. A translucent mesh covering half the face is considered an effective solution. The black veil remains more characteristic. However, you can also use a white accessory.
Chicago style headband
Fashionistas of the 30s decorated their hair with stylish accessories. One of the most popular was the headband. This option is made from openwork lace, elastic knitwear, embroidered with sequins, rhinestones or stones. Chicago fashion style involves placing such an addition on top of the hair. Such an addition can be either thin or wide in shape. The current choice would be a contrasting color, which will highlight the stylish decoration against the background of the hairstyle. Often the headband is decorated with applied decor - a flower, feathers, a bow and other solutions.
Chicago style wreath
An addition to the head in the form of a wreath looks feminine and impressive. However, such decisions have nothing to do with accessories in the national style. Here the flowers are presented from forged metal, rhinestones or stones. However, flower buds are not considered an essential element. An alternative could be leaves or feathers. Chicago style for girls involves a neat, thin wreath. Bulky decorations are inappropriate here. But the color is preferable in a contrasting shade, which will highlight the decoration against the background of the styling.
Chicago style hats
Girls in the 30s complemented their luxurious elegant look with a spectacular decorative hat. This accessory can also be functional. The current style is a bowler hat with a narrow sloping visor. A stylish decor is often a transverse contrasting lace with a feather or flower. Decorative accessories are attached using an invisible pin, crocodile clip or hoop. A Chicago style hat goes well with a veil. This addition can be worn both under a dress and with a trouser suit. Hats have become an attribute not only of evening, but also of everyday looks.
Features of hairstyles
Like their predecessors, the beauties of the thirties parted with long hair without regret. Short and medium length strands were considered ideal. Such hair could be styled in elegant waves. Such hairstyles at one time became the calling card of Marlene Dietrich, Thelma Tedd, Jean Harlow and others.
Thelma Tedd and Jean Harlow
Short, curled hair allowed the neck to be exposed, showing off its smooth curve and emphasizing the jawline. Together with tight-fitting outfits, the hairstyle created an attractive feminine image. Women wore bob, bob, and page haircuts. Very short hair was quite rare.
Side parting and the absence of bangs are characteristic features of the vast majority of women's hairstyles in the Chicago style. If a girl chose elegant curls, most often they had a “wet effect”: smooth, shiny. It was also possible to create lush curls for medium-length hair, for example, like Renee Zellwegger’s in the film “Chicago.”
The men's hair also shone: from grease or special pomade for the strands. The gangster hairstyle consists of a side parting and slicked back hair. The mafia style looked a little different: all the hair was combed smoothly back. Men of the 30s wore borsalino hats (the most popular among gangsters - Al Capone also preferred it), homburg (with a ribbon, upturned brim, longitudinal crease), bowler (resembles a hemisphere) or trilby (with narrow brims).
Women also complemented their hairstyles with all kinds of headdresses. The most famous of them were created by Parisian fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli. Hats had a flat or round shape, were made in the form of berets, etc. Turbans, which did not interfere with wearing a short hairstyle, as well as decorative hairnets, were also considered in demand. Hats were worn slightly slanted onto the forehead.
The festive, extravagant look was complemented by hairbands decorated with feathers, stones, and rhinestones. For example, such a headdress was chosen for an open dress with a luxurious boa. These are the options that are still used today to recreate the Chicago style for a “gangster” party.
Chicago style party
The fashion trend has become a relevant solution not only for creating an image, but also for organizing themed parties. One of the popular events is a Chicago-style corporate party. There is a mandatory dress code at the celebration, where all employees must “reincarnate” into gangsters. And here not only clothes and accessories are used, but also attributes, for example, fake weapons, cigars, cigarettes with a mouthpiece. The situation is being shaped in the appropriate direction. The hall can be imagined as a storyline - playing in a casino, escaping from the police and other ideas.
Chicago gangster wedding
Recently, non-traditional ideas for organizing a wedding ceremony have become popular. A Chicago-style wedding can take place both outdoors and indoors. As a rule, stylists combine both areas of the celebration. A typical dress for a bride is a floor-length dress. Such models have a straight cut with a highlighted low or standard waist. An alternative to a veil is a hat or headband with feathers. The groom usually wears a trouser suit with a vest and a hat. For a wedding, an interpretation of a gangster plot would be a relevant solution.
Gangster Party Games
- " Associations ". The game is played during the meal. The presenter asks the tables to name one by one the names of films that are associated with Chicago and the 20s of the twentieth century in the USA. Winners can be awarded an additional bottle of champagne or other alcoholic drink.
- " Dancing ". Teams must first dance a tango to selected music, then a twist, a Marilyn Monroe dance and a cancan. The best dancing team will win.
- " Find Alcohol" . Opposite the competitor, several glasses with liquid of equal transparency are placed. Only one of them contains vodka. By the expression on the participant's face, the guests must guess what kind of drink he drank. The contestant's task is to try not to give himself away when it comes to vodka.
- " What bill ?" The participant is blindfolded, and then given a banknote, the denomination of which he needs to guess by smell, by sensation.
- " Wrap a gift ." This game involves couples whose hands are tied. They must quickly pack a box with a gift or simply decorate a bottle with their hands tied with a ribbon. The couple that can cope with the task best will win.
A gangster party is a vibrant event, so be sure to ensure that a photographer and cameraman are present.
