A special chic that attracts people to this day, the gangster style is largely due to the cinema.
It was he who sang the romantic and daring image of the bandits who rule all criminal affairs in America in the early twenties of the last century.
Why did the style become interesting to many?
Prohibition passed by the United States in those days, contrary to expectations, did not bring sobriety to its people. Instead, smuggling and the underground sale of alcohol flourished. Bandit clans and groups got their hands on a new powerful form of obtaining funds, which quickly filled the black box office. Now in the sphere of gangster interests there were not only raids, robberies and extortion, underground gambling and drinking establishments became commonplace.
Since each group wanted to bite off more from this cake, gang wars began. The police sided with those who paid the most. The structures of the clans were different in their hierarchy and national characteristics. We can say that the gangster style itself appeared thanks to immigrants from Italy. Bandit groups, which were called families, because their base was made up of close and distant relatives. The difficult economic and depressive situations of that time pushed young people into the arms of the mafia in search of a better life. Naturally, having received easy money, people tired of poverty wanted to emphasize their success and power.
Costumes
Clothing and jewelry were the first changes in their lives. Therefore, bandits sewed costumes to order from the best and highest quality fabrics. As a rule, they were glittery or had a defiant pattern of vertical stripes. Costumes in the style of gangsters could hardly be called an exquisite outfit of a gentleman from high society, but of course there was a special gangster chic and courage in them. After all, clothing was also an indicator of high status in the clan. Shirts were bought at very expensive stores. Many even had a monogram with the name of their owner. Costumes consisted of a jacket, vest and trousers. Their style corresponded to the fashion of that time. The trousers were very wide, the jackets were long and double-breasted, and the vest often added a special chic to the owner. And silk embroidery or embossing was then a very popular decoration of these clothes. Shoes with snow-white gaiters and a felt felt wide-brimmed hat complemented the image .
The suit and gangster style was completed with a tie with a diamond-decorated hair clip, a silk scarf that looked out from the breast pocket with a hem, or a flower threaded through the buttonhole of the jacket. A boater hat, very fashionable at the beginning of the last century, was also used as a headdress. Of course, it is hard to imagine these gentlemen of fortune unarmed. Therefore, I immediately remember films where
Thompson's assault rifles are held in their hands by dashing gangsters.
The clothing style of these guys complements the weapon.
Dresses and women's dresses
The company was impudent bandits beautiful young ladies. In poor areas, every girl from childhood dreamed of becoming a lover of a cool gangster. The most fashionable and beautiful clothes were provided to a beautiful girl, if she liked someone from the mafia group.
Naturally, no one thought about the possible dire consequences or a prison term. Easy money, gold and diamonds became the decisive argument in favor of meeting with dashing guys.
Outfits beloved bandits acquired in the most expensive stores. A dress in the style of gangsters corresponded to the latest fashion of those times. Then femininity and sexuality literally broke into the fashionable environment, thanks to the movement of suffragists and feminists, which were widely spread in the United States. Dresses could be long with an exciting neckline or an open back, fitted or shortened with a straight cut. As decorating details, embroidery, embossing, stitching with stones and, of course, furs and feathers were used. Headgear of the fair sex admired its grace. These were all kinds of hats decorated with feathers, flowers or a brooch.
Gangster style for women was no less ostentatious luxury than for men. Therefore, the girls always had a lot of precious jewelry. Pearl strands adorned long women's necks with multilayer coils, rings and bracelets sparkled on their hands. And in special cases crowned with tiaras with diamonds, even the buttons were made of precious stones. The style of dressing with such chic did not leave fashion designers indifferent, and from time to time the gangster theme appears on the catwalks of the world. Therefore, having a party or a celebration in this style, you can choose the right style of clothing if you devote some time to your searches.
Men's hairstyles
To create the perfect image, you need to make hairstyles in the style of gangsters. It will be easier for men. Although it should be remembered that in those years, briolin and a special lipstick for mustache and hair were very fashionable.
A men's hairstyle with side parting or combed back hair, created with the help of foam and varnish, will become a pretty decent imitation of the style popular in those days.
Women's hairstyles
Ladies' hair will also need styling for the twenties of the last century. Curls and waves, collected in a hairstyle or loose, were as popular as they are now. The main condition is accuracy. Each curl lying in its place, and frequent waves will create a vivid image of the movie star of those times.
Curled hair can be styled with a side parting or gathered in a bun, chipped on the back of the head with curls in a tight roller. You can decorate it with studs with pebbles or beads. An interesting end to the hairstyle will be a silk ribbon tied to the head and decorated with a feather or brooch in the shape of a flower.
Makeup and other equally important points
Do not forget about makeup: bright red lipstick and a fly on the cheek or above the lip will correspond to the spirit of that time. If the party is planned at home, and you have to create an entourage yourself, it’s worth decorating the room with small details typical of underground casinos. A green tablecloth and roulette will do just fine, dim lights and interesting-shaped bottles, as well as posters with photographs from gang-themed movies, will also match the declared name.
Conclusion
Now you know what gangster style is from where it came from. We also paid attention to clothes and hairstyles of this subject. We hope that the information presented in the article is useful to you.