Wondering what to wear to a Roaring Twenties Gatsby-themed event if you're a bloke? We've got you covered.
Listen here, old sport. If you've been invited to a costume party that requires you to dress up like one of the dashing men from The Great Gatsby, don't despair. You don't need to have mansion money to suit up like Gatsby and make a serious Long Island splash.
Let's revisit
F. Scott Fitzgerald's timeless classic for a minute so that you know just what you're dealing with. Jay Gatsby is rich. We're talking Mark Zuckerberg rich, but with a whole lot more style and none of the insufferable geekiness. He lives in a mansion where he hosts wild, ostentatious parties. He's known to society as an eccentric millionaire, but Gatsby has a dark secret - he's throwing all these parties in the hopes that his long-lost love Daisy, a married minx with substandard driving skills, might rock up.
You don't need to know much more about the story than that to go rock a Gatsby-themed party. You simply need to think rich, rich, rich. Gatsby (fictionally) lived in the Roaring Twenties so you have a wealth of 1920s men's costume options at your disposal. The world is your swanky, ostentatious oyster.
Here's how to look like you come from old money (even when you're really just Googling Gatsby costume ideas late on a Thursday night to keep your girlfriend happy).
Look #1: Slick Dinner Suit
One of the easiest 1920s looks involves donning a classically-styled dinner suit to bring out your inner dandy. Try this
Vintage Hollywood Tuxedo - even a black tie connoisseur would struggle to fault it. But remember, back in the 1920s era, suits were day-to-day attire for men. Where the Great Gatsby men really shone with the power of a thousand Swarovski crystals was in their accessories.
Whether you wear a swanky tailcoat or a tailored tux, accessorise it with a
gold dollar pimp ring, a
gangster jumbo fake cigar, a
gold diamond-topped cane or a natty
white tasselled scarf.
If you really want to throw subtlety to the wind (the Great Gatsby men would say it's for poor people anyway), pair a
gold sequinned suit jacket with your tuxedo pants. Sure, it's not traditional, but it will make you look very conspicuous and intimidatingly wealthy.
Alternatively, dress all in white to truly channel the
1920’s Prohibition-era clotheshorse you’ve always wanted to be. Don't forget the two-tone shoes.
Look #2: Louche Linen Lounging
You know what goes really well with impeccable style, sparkling cocktails, jazz music and ritzy opulence? A good lie-down on a sofa bed, a casual stroll in the park or a ripping drive through the countryside in a vintage motorcar. You can dress appropriately for all of these activities in proper 1920s style without losing any of that unforgettable Gatsby charm if a full evening suit is not your style.
A casual summer suit in crisp linen will do the trick - look for pastel colours or opt for pure white. Striped and plaid suits in bright colours started to appear around the 1920s so they're a highly suitable option as well: check out this
blue and grey striped number with oversized white buttons. Add a
straw boater hat at a daringly rakish angle to complete the look and don't forget a
distinctive walking stick so you can twirl it.
A straw Panama hat is another classic choice for a classic 1920s men's costume look, or a fedora in light-coloured wool. To cleverly tap into the 'old sport' trope, try a golf cap paired with a
loud blazer and
wide-legged pants.
If it's too hot on the day of your party to wear a jacket, just go for a matching suit vest and pants. Gatsby was a big fan of coordinated clothing and if you pair a vest with a tie (preferably a little on the wide side) or a flashy neckerchief, you'll nail the look faster than you can say 'Can't repeat the past? Why of course you can!"
Look #3: Prohibition Power Player
The Great Gatsby men were not only wealthy, they were confident and self-assured. Tom Buchanan, for example, is a central player in the novel and a true blue blood who possesses both money and power. He demonstrates that having loose morals and questionable means is no excuse to dress down or look sloppy.
Perfect the appearance of a Prohibition-era powerhouse - also known as a bootlegger or gangster - in this
sharp black and white number complete with hat, tie, spats, braces and a killer moustache. If you fancy something a bit glitzier to properly show you've got swagger, plump for this
gold pinstriped gangster suit and steer clear of polite society.
As always, accessories maketh the (bad) man so have a couple of
red-tipped cigars to puff on as you close your dodgy business deals and laugh about where your money
really came from. Cap it off with
large dark Aviator-style sunglasses and a
mob boss moustache.
Oh, and always wear your pants at the waist, not the hip, for that authentic Gatsby look. The men of the 1920s took pride in their appearance, and this included sporting pants that created a soft drape and an elegant line.
Looking for more Great Gatsby inspiration?
Browse our
full range of 1920s flapper costumes for men and women today. It's our bestselling range - even more popular than our costumes from
Marvel Comics - and we offer same-day dispatch with express shipping available. If your costume isn’t quite right, we'll happily exchange it, and our prices are so low you'll think you've stepped back in time.
Shop for that swinging Gatsby look now.
One of the easiest 1920s looks involves donning a classically-styled dinner suit to bring out your inner dandy. Try this Vintage Hollywood Tuxedo - even a black tie connoisseur would struggle to fault it. But remember, back in the 1920s era, suits were day-to-day attire for men. Where the Great Gatsby men really shone with the power of a thousand Swarovski crystals was in their accessories.
Whether you wear a swanky tailcoat or a tailored tux, accessorise it with a gold dollar pimp ring, a gangster jumbo fake cigar, a gold diamond-topped cane or a natty white tasselled scarf.
If you really want to throw subtlety to the wind (the Great Gatsby men would say it's for poor people anyway), pair a gold sequinned suit jacket with your tuxedo pants. Sure, it's not traditional, but it will make you look very conspicuous and intimidatingly wealthy.
Alternatively, dress all in white to truly channel the 1920’s Prohibition-era clotheshorse you’ve always wanted to be. Don't forget the two-tone shoes.
You know what goes really well with impeccable style, sparkling cocktails, jazz music and ritzy opulence? A good lie-down on a sofa bed, a casual stroll in the park or a ripping drive through the countryside in a vintage motorcar. You can dress appropriately for all of these activities in proper 1920s style without losing any of that unforgettable Gatsby charm if a full evening suit is not your style.
A casual summer suit in crisp linen will do the trick - look for pastel colours or opt for pure white. Striped and plaid suits in bright colours started to appear around the 1920s so they're a highly suitable option as well: check out this blue and grey striped number with oversized white buttons. Add a straw boater hat at a daringly rakish angle to complete the look and don't forget a distinctive walking stick so you can twirl it.
A straw Panama hat is another classic choice for a classic 1920s men's costume look, or a fedora in light-coloured wool. To cleverly tap into the 'old sport' trope, try a golf cap paired with a loud blazer and wide-legged pants.
If it's too hot on the day of your party to wear a jacket, just go for a matching suit vest and pants. Gatsby was a big fan of coordinated clothing and if you pair a vest with a tie (preferably a little on the wide side) or a flashy neckerchief, you'll nail the look faster than you can say 'Can't repeat the past? Why of course you can!"
The Great Gatsby men were not only wealthy, they were confident and self-assured. Tom Buchanan, for example, is a central player in the novel and a true blue blood who possesses both money and power. He demonstrates that having loose morals and questionable means is no excuse to dress down or look sloppy.
Perfect the appearance of a Prohibition-era powerhouse - also known as a bootlegger or gangster - in this sharp black and white number complete with hat, tie, spats, braces and a killer moustache. If you fancy something a bit glitzier to properly show you've got swagger, plump for this gold pinstriped gangster suit and steer clear of polite society.
As always, accessories maketh the (bad) man so have a couple of red-tipped cigars to puff on as you close your dodgy business deals and laugh about where your money really came from. Cap it off with large dark Aviator-style sunglasses and a mob boss moustache.
Oh, and always wear your pants at the waist, not the hip, for that authentic Gatsby look. The men of the 1920s took pride in their appearance, and this included sporting pants that created a soft drape and an elegant line.