Style High Club

I absolutely love vintage and fancy dress parties, and one of my favourite themes is the Twenties. I’ve been to quite a few Twenties parties – big ones with hundreds of people and small ones at my friends’ places – so I though I’d share my party ideas and experiences with you: here is my guide to throwing a Twenties party.

Inspiration
If you’re not sure where to start, watch Billy Wilder’s 1959 film Some Like It Hot. Featuring Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon in drag on the run from the mob, the film’s memorable opening scene is set in a funeral parlor, which disguises a speakeasy serving coffee laced with booze. Love interest Marilyn Monroe’s amazing flapper outfits will be a great inspiration too.

For a more serious account of the era, read John Dos Passos’ 1925 novel Manhattan Transfer, which gives a fantastic insight into life in New York City during America’s Jazz Age.

I also keep on referencing Otto Dix’s drawing Die Grossstadt, which depicts a scene in a Berlin jazz club during the Twenties.

What to wear, hair and make-up

I recently put together how-to guides on how to create a Twenties day time look and how to put together Twenties evening wear. Also check out my inspirational gallery of Twenties hair styles. My top tip for girls with long hair: wear a simple head band and tuck your long hair over and under it. As for make-up, the Twenties look was about a strong, vampish face. Exaggerate blushed cheeks, deep red lips and kohled eyes. Your eye brows should be pencil-thin and in a high arch.

What to eat and drink

To create a Prohibition atmosphere serve gin cocktails out of mismatched vintage tea cups. I love the French 75. Named after a hard-hitting World War I artillery piece, the French 75 is, as far as can be determined, the only cocktail invented in the United States during Prohibition to become a classic.

Shake well with cracked ice:
1 ½ oz London dry gin
½ oz fresh-squeezed lemon juice
¾ oz simple syrup
Strain into a tea cup full of cracked ice and top off with chilled champagne.

As for food, I wouldn’t bother with Twenties recipes as they can be rather difficult. It’s all about being decadent and having a good time, so serve lobster cakes, champagne truffles and figs dipped in chocolate.

What to do

Dance the Charleston (here’s a great introduction video showing the basic steps) and amuse yourselves with Twenties slang expressions.

And as a final touch…

Add a splash of Juniper Sling, a brilliant new fragrance by Penhaligon’s inspired by the most iconic and atmospheric of spirits: London Dry Gin.

I’m a huge fan of Penhaligon’s – all their perfumes are amazing – but Juniper Sling is my absolute favourite so far. It’s cool and crisp and smells of juniper, brandy, pepper and black cherry. From £78 (50ml eau de toilette) at Penhaligon’s boutiques, concessions and online. Do check out their brilliant, tongue-in-cheek Twenties-inspired video to get into a Twenties party mood.

This blog post is sponsored by Penhaligon’s. I genuinely like Juniper Sling though!