Chicago is the birthplace of one special style of clothing. It combines strictness and frivolity, boldness and restraint. Regardless of profession, age, build, you can choose the Chicago style of clothing. This will allow you to always remain in the spotlight, charm, and be in a good mood.
Features of style
The Chicago style was created not by famous couturiers, but by ordinary citizens of the United States, residents of the metropolis. In the late twenties and early thirties of the twentieth century, there was a "dry law". This period is known as the Great Depression. Underground drinking establishments opened everywhere. Gangsters often relaxed here, and they knew how to dress. They had money, and they loved luxury.
Not to be outdone, other visitors also decided to change their wardrobe a little. Men wore suits with interesting patterns, hats, ties, showed off if not a gun holster, then suspenders, and boldly unbuttoned their jackets. Women shortened their dresses.
The glitter of diamonds was unaffordable for many. It was often replaced by glass imitations, which shone just as well. Cheaper materials were used instead of expensive fabric. Their quality was less important, because it was a brightly colored tie or a handkerchief in a jacket pocket that attracted attention. Natural fur began to be replaced by artificial fur. The country's economic crisis could not force everyone to give up hope for the best. People sought to create a beautiful illusion. For clothing, they chose the style of celebration, confidence, freedom and carelessness.
How to create an image correctly
Chicago 30 style clothing for women is evening wear that no one wore during the day for fear of condemnation from others and attention from law enforcement agencies. The police were looking for underground pubs, and they tried to bring violators of the "dry law" to justice. It was possible to recognize a regular by his clothes. A man could take off a bright tie, put it in his pocket, and disappear into the crowd. A woman could not do that.
Chicago style was probably invented by women. In conditions of lack of money, they had to use "slip clothes". They were made of shiny, delicate, thin fabric. Each woman had several of these outfits. They hugged the silhouette, decorated with lace. During the day, you could wear a slip to work, but in the evening they made a beautiful dress out of it.
Features of Chicago style clothing:
- Simple cut. Any woman could sew an outfit herself, saving on tailors' services;
- Short length. The less fabric was spent, the easier it was to create a bright wardrobe, unique images;
- Tight-fitting styles. No one liked the fullness of skirts on a frame any more. The corset went out of fashion. Everyone liked the beautiful, bold, new styles of swimsuits. The Chicago style is feminine, women's attractiveness is emphasized without limiting mobility. The fabrics used were not only beautiful, but also pleasant to the touch;
- Lace, rhinestones. A simple model is complicated by ornate, flirty, shiny, eye-catching details.
Men's clothing in the Chicago style of the 1930s was standard and unusual at the same time. Men visited underground drinking establishments to make new acquaintances, connections, win card games, perhaps borrow money from gangsters - not only for the sake of relaxation and a pleasant pastime. It was necessary to adhere to the standard, the canons. Chicago style of the 1930s for men:
- Still a business suit;
- Spacious cut;
- Suspender;
- Vivid details;
- Double-breasted jacket;
- Instead of a tie - a bow tie;
- Felt hat;
- The shoes have a round toe. The boots must be leather.
Slight carelessness of clothing sometimes gave away the average citizen. A shirt could be slightly wrinkled, a trace of women's lipstick could remain on the collar. But gangsters always had ironed and starched shirts. A man needed a slightly loose suit because he had to carry a weapon, hiding it from prying eyes. These style features have not changed over the years.
Gangsters often wore white gloves. This showed that they had "clean hands". The shirt and hat were always light in color. The jacket, trousers and suit were dark in color, which gave the image austerity.
Nowadays, luxury means completely different things, not those that were considered its symbols at the beginning of the 20th century. A man can hardly afford to wear a Chicago-style hat during the day. Its style is classic, but other headwear is still in fashion. Only courage is needed to change the situation, dictate your terms, create the desired image, regardless of the surrounding atmosphere.
The hat band can be brightly colored, matching the color of the tie and pocket handkerchief. But even without it, the gangster image can be recreated if you put on a vest or suspenders, carefully tuck a handkerchief into the top pocket of the shirt. Shoes were chosen patent leather black. The suit could be checkered or striped, dark or light. The play of contrast, background and clothing elements is the main technique used to create the desired Chicago style image. The vest can be either leather or fabric. It was not customary to take off the hat when the jacket was taken off. If you compare this style with a regular business suit, it will immediately become clear that it contains frivolity, humor, and challenge. Without them, the style is unthinkable.
Chicago style in women's clothing is two directions:
- The first direction involves creating a very feminine image. For a feminine style, you need to choose a short dress, a small handbag and a hat with a black feather. A female gangster group party will be brighter thanks to the addition of accessories to the image;
- The second direction requires creating a style similar to the male one. For the male direction, a checkered shirt, gray trousers and patent leather shoes will do.
Dresses and skirts can be of different lengths. Sometimes it is appropriate to wear wrist or elbow length gloves when creating this look. If you want to come to work on a regular weekday in a Chicago-style dress, you can do without gloves.
Stockings, moderately high heels with a rounded toe, small hats with a veil are an integral part of the style. Pastel, delicate shades are considered preferable. Floral patterns are unacceptable. Lace, glitter, transparent fabrics - all this is luxury that must be present in the gangster style. Instead of a hat, a ribbon decorated with feathers and stones can be chosen.
Accessories
A small envelope bag, a boa, bright jewelry - these are the accessories that a woman who decided to dress in the Chicago style needs. Women wore expensive beads on a long thread. Fishnet stockings were in fashion. This is how ladies attracted men's attention. Jewelry was chosen in white, black or metallic colors. Feathers were also used in dark shades and ivory. Emerald accessories were popular. In Chicago style, it was important for women to choose gloves, hat, handbag and shoes in the same color.
Men will need only a wallet as an accessory. You can take a cane or an umbrella with you if the weather requires it. For the Chicago style, it is acceptable to carry a cigarette case and use a spectacular elongated cigarette holder.
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