Tag Archives: Gatsby Picnic

Gatsby Summer Afternoon 2018 Picnic

Posted on October 4, 2018 by freshfrippery

(Hi everyone! Sorry I’m a bit behind on blogging because I’ve had to limit my computer time due to a hand injury, so posts are written slowly, bit by bit. I haven’t forgotten that I need to give details of my Crimson Peak outfit, and I have posts planned for my Gibson Girl project!)

Last month I went to the annual Gatsby Summer Afternoon at the Dunsmuir House in Oakland, CA. It went by so quickly I didn’t take a lot of pictures this year but I’ll share the ones I have!

Here I am with Kelsey (in 1930s sportswear) and Natalie (in a self-made dress using vintage fabric).

My dress is vintage, but actually 1970s vintage that happens to look like a 1930s dress! (Although the colors, cut, and print are correct for the time period I could tell it wasn’t really 1930s because of the label inside the dress, and because the brown trim is serging instead of piping). It was apparently quite convincing, because I was a finalist in the fashion contest!

You can barely see them but I am wearing Gibsons from American Duchess, an 18th century straw bergere that I trimmed, and vintage Bakelite and cut steel bangles.

I considered a few other pairs of shoes but ultimately chose the ones in the middle.

We might have gotten a little rowdy at some point. Kelsey found a croquet mallet that matched her outfit perfectly and decided to menace Mena with it.

As always there were vintage cars!

Thank you John Carey of these following photos of me with the other Vintage Style Council gals! 41497323_1687158268078098_3411786410644996096_o 41572276_1687159128078012_7237750721100120064_o

I had a lovely time as always. See you there next year!

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Posted in 1930s, Gatsby, Uncategorized and tagged 1930s, Gatsby, Gatsby Picnic, Gatsby Summer Afternoon, vintage, vintage style, Vintage Style Council. Bookmark the permalink.

Gatsby Summer Afternoon Picnic 2017

Posted on September 19, 2017 by freshfrippery

The annual “Gatsby Summer Afternoon” (casually known as the Gatsby Picnic) at the Dunsmuir House in Oakland, California, had another lovely event recently! I finally got a chance to wear my original 1930s cotton organza dress and had a great time socializing with an impeccably dressed and fun crowd.

Photo by John Carey Photographic Imagery

I love how this is a versatile dress! I can change up my look by wearing a different color slip (which is also vintage). My hat is a vintage one that I retrimmed. I am wearing the beautiful Lillian heels from Royal Vintage Shoes.

It was a hot and sunny day, and my sunglasses were definitely needed! (They are not quite right, but close enough for an Amazon find).

Kelsey is divine in 1930s ensemble she sewed using a Wearing History pattern.

Natalie is lovely in a vintage 1930s dress, the navy version of the Lillian, and a hat she crocheted herself!

Here we three are again with Jess and Abby.

The event was full of vintage cars, amid the backdrop of the wonderful Dunsmuir House mansion.

In years past we always had too much food and leftovers, so we scaled back the food. You can’t see from the photo, but I think we had more beverages (especially delightful cocktails!) instead of food.

As always, the table was organized by my friend Kim, shown here wearing a handmade dress and waiting patiently in line with David.

I made my boutonniere using some vintage flowers, floral tape, and silk taffeta that I cut into a ribbon.

I made the belt out of a broken half of a buckle, more vintage flowers, and some silk taffeta.

We had a great time! Elizabeth high-fiving with the American Duchess ladies included!

Can you count the number of Lillians in this post? They were definitely the hot new shoe people were sporting at the picnic! I can’t wait until next year!

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Posted in 1920s, 1930s, Gatsby and tagged 1920s, 1930s, Gatsby, Gatsby Picnic, Gatsby Summer Afternoon. Bookmark the permalink.

1930s Vintage Dress at the Gatsby Picnic

Posted on September 12, 2016 by freshfrippery

Yesterday was the annual Gatsby Summer Afternoon, hosted by the Art Deco Society at the Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate. (This wonderful event is open to the public, but buy your tickets early because they sold out this year!) There is a live band, dancing, gorgeous antique automobiles, and many great costumes. I found a car that matched my dress!

The dress I wore is a vintage 1930s gown made of a very fine cotton or rayon net. It was such a lucky find in great condition! I am wearing the 23 Skidoos from American Duchess and a hat I trimmed myself.

I bought the hat base from Amazon and decorated with a scrap of green silk taffeta from my stash, and some pink blossoms from Michael’s.

A group of us reserved an umbrella table and organized a luncheon.

We also had delicious cocktails (that matched Samantha, winner of the fashion contest!)

For the first time I was invited to sit inside one of the vintage cars!

Bonus photo: I realized my dress matched the car so well it looked like I had extra “assets.” Hah!

Here is the brochure with the schedule if you are interested in the many activities and performances that happen at the picnic. Hope to see you next year!