The Great Gatsby: The Wardrobe

I haven’t done a wardrobe recap for a while, partially because I’ve been watching less movies/TV lately, but also because the programs I do watch usually end up being about superheroes/clones. So,I haven’t had as much fashion fodder. The other night though, I was flipping through available movies on HBO and decided to finally watch The Great Gatsby. I thought I would have wanted to see it right when it came out, but the reviews were so uneven that I decided to sit it out.

Well, I was very glad that I finally took the plunge! I really enjoyed the movie. Yes, it wasn’t a cinematic masterpiece but I do believe that Baz Lurhmann and all involved put forth an incredible amount of effort to create a beautiful, gorgeous movie. There were so many incredible scenes and images to take in that my only complaint is that sometimes the movie felt like it was going too quickly. I would have wanted more time to enjoy the visual feast.

The same attention of course, was paid to the styling and fashion in the movie – very fitting and appropriate, since Fitzgerald himself was very conscious about the dress choices of his characters. In this movie recap, I largely focus on Daisy Buchanan, with some guest appearances by Jordan Baker. Onwards we go!

The first hint of Daisy we get in the movie? It’s not clothing, but rather jewelry….her very, very pretty wedding set. I wouldn’t mind one of these, for my right hand…and while we’re in fantasy land, make mine yellow!

Next, we see more of Daisy but just her face and jewels. And what spectacular bracelets and earrings they are. Daisy’s jewelry pieces are ones that I felt just seemed to whiz by in the movie, so I was happy to have an opportunity to really capture them in stills.

Ah…a bit of Jordan Baker! The only female (that I can think of) we see wearing top and pants combinations in the movie (versus dresses). Love the long pearls. Daisy is described as having been given a strand of pearls worth something like ~ $4 million in today’s money….you can get an endless version by Majorca for $400.

The ring is really gorgeous, as well. The second photo is from a later scene, but I had to include it for the ring. What stone do you think it would have been?

And finally, a brief shot of Daisy’s actual outfit. It’s floaty, light colored and ethereal – which describes what she wears for most of the movie.

Next, a party at Gatsby’s, where we see Jordan Baker make another appearance, wearing this great visor/mask/headpiece/I don’t know what to call it. And some great stacked bracelets.

Love the dramatic neckline of the dress (you can se more of the actual texture of the gown as well as the embellishments if you scroll all the way up and look at the movie poster).

Next up, we have Daisy’s first reunion with Gatsby. I love the little details found in all areas of her wardrobe, including these tiny daisy flowers sewn into the shoulder fabric of her dress. Seems like the kind of detail that Chanel would have these days (with a price tag to match).

A more complete shot of Daisy’s cocktail dress. I’m not the biggest fan of this look compared to others she wears in the film, but I do love the matching gloves.

Now, having fun with Gatsby (by the way, doesn’t Leo look so young and Titanic era here)? This is actually one of my favorite looks that Daisy wears in the movie, even though it’s quite out of character for her. I just love the headscarf and the kimono – a little bit Talitha Getty. She just looks so casual and fun.

The embroidery on the back of the kimono. So super cool. I think this is one of the coolest pieces you can lounge around the house in. I love this version by Natori, by the way – and there’s also a long caftan version.

Next up, probably the most famous look from the movie – Daisy’s outfit the first time she attends one of Gatsby’s infamous parties, courtesy of Micuccia Prada. I have to confess that I love the baby blue fur and feathers – I have a little baby blue fur something myself that I can’t wait to use come fall!

A nice detailed shot of her headpiece and all of her jewelry. I love those bracelets (and everything else). Those looking for a similar bracelet style can look at this toggle version, via Judith Jack for under $200.

And then of course, a full length shot of the dress. Seeing this makes me want to go trawl eBay for great past season Blumarine and Alberta Ferretti gowns.

Now switching the scenery, and back to Jordan Baker in neat short sleeved dress. Love her style – less feminine than Daisy, more clean lines.

And finally, one of the final looks we see Daisy in – those beautiful tulle gown. This reminds me of all the amazing Vera Wang wedding gowns I’d play with when going in for fittings.

Couldn’t leave without one more closer look at her earrings! Love, love the dangling sparklers. There’s a reason why this period was so amazing for jewelry.

Usually I end my wardrobe recaps with 3-4 lessons that I’ve learned from each movie. The Great Gatsby however, didn’t hold as many “practical” fashion lessons for me. I didn’t have a lot of takeaways for my everyday life, like “it’s okay to wear a couture gown to a casual dinner,” or “pair your $3 million long strand of pearls with even more diamonds and pearls, for a funky layered look.”

Instead, I left with an overall renewed inspiration to seek out beautiful and unique pieces, in not just clothes and jewelry (though those of course too, ha) but also decor, flowers, scenery. I’m not saying that everything needs to be beautiful – it’s much more appropriate for my everyday life that things largely be functional first – but there is something to be said about appreciating beauty for the sake of its pure enjoyment.