I explained before how buying this dress has helped my social life.
We booked tickets a while back for another night out on the town for my dress.
How to dress 1920s
I pulled out all the stops when we were getting ready to go to a Speakeasy party at the Palais Royale.
I wanted to look authentic 1920’s style. I even made my own headband from lace, beads, velvet and peacock feathers. Hooray for having tons of crafting crap stuff in my basement. I knew it would come in handy one day.
The hair had to be put in pin curls some 6 hours prior to leaving.
This was serious stuff.
Robert looks more 2015…but I do love a man in a black suit. Well, in particular this man.
The venue was stunning. A jazz club for 92 year the Palais Royale has been home to great musicians such as Count Basie and Duke Ellington. Beautifully decorated with some original stained windows and lights, they created an even more authentic 1920’s club atmosphere with the use of a smoke machine on the dance floor.
We were greeted with pink champagne to start…
There was an incredible five course dinner including 5 versions of h’ordeuvres from the 1920’s and then again 5 updated versions from 2015 called molecular gastronomy. They arrived in dark wooden boxes and when opened a bunch of smoke billowed out. Little syringes filled with sauces were included for each morsel. It was quite the spectacle.
After several hours of eating the band started up.
The dance floor filled…
It was a great evening.
BUT…
Every time we go out to these events we often see the same groups of people. The Lindy Hop people come in a large group together. The Toronto Vintage Society come in a large group together. Most of them are great dancers and they bring wonderful energy to the event…BUT…they rig the best dressed contest every. single. time. They are the judges and they just go around picking out their friends. Then when it comes time to choose the winner they applaud the loudest for their buddies. The first time we really got dressed up for an event we thought we had the best dressed sewn up. We looked like this…
You can’t see Robert’s shoes here…but they were amazing. Everything was authentic vintage 1940’s BTW…except the shoes. We had people coming up to us all night telling us we would win the best costume.
Nope…weren’t even selected to be contenders. One guy came over to Robert, shook his hand and said he should have won. I agreed.
Next year we went…same thing. We weren’t even selected to be considered.
This time it was a different event, I thought maybe new judges etc. But NOPE. Same biased judges came and chose all their friends again.
One consolation was that I had about six people come up to me and tell me that my outfit was wonderful, so at least I felt like even if the judges weren’t looking someone else did. When I put a real effort into something I like to know that it doesn’t go unnoticed.
Thanks to my dress again for pushing me to get out on the town 1920’s style.
Have you ever been cheated out of something you felt you deserved?
Linking up with the lovely Alice over at Happiness at Mid-Life Throw Back Thursday
and the wonderful Dawn over at Fashion Should Be Fun – Fun Fashion Friday
Wow, you look absolutely gorgeous! You two are a stunning couple. And that party sounds like quite the event, especially the dinner. You definitely deserved to win best costume. How unfair that the judges vote for their friends!
I guess what they say is true…life isn’t fair.
You’re both stepping out of a Hollywood flick – so gorgeous. Love the picture where Robert is whispering to you. xox
I always want to know what Robert is whispering, don’t you?
And Suzanne? A resounding…YES, you were ROBBED!
Ha ha! Fooled you both! He is actually kissing me : )
I love this era and your outfit nails it. You look like my icon — Peppy Miller from “The Artist.” And certainly you guys were cheated from winning.
That is such a brilliant movie. I’m in love with the Frenchman in that film. He reminds me of my own Frenchman ; P
Both of you exude charisma and your outfits are divine. You’re winners in my estimation and sounds like you had a fabulous time. Love your headwear and admire your creativity once again!
It’s a shame I missed your hat attack…next time!
really cute, love the headband! and the dress….. <3 <3 <3
Phooey…you should have had that win in the bag! You look great (et Hubby too!) so what do they know…rein. You both look fabulous and love the headband you made. That crap…uh, stuff as you so rightly say, can indeed come in handy.
I know you KNOW what I’m talkin’ bout ; )
You pulled everything to make this outfit look perfect for the time period. Sounds like a fun night and I say you were the best dressed couple basing it purely on the pictures above. A winner always in my book.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
Hope to see you Thursday for TBT Fashion link up.
I would vote for you two in a heartbeat. The 1920’s is my favorite fashion era so I KNOW what I’m talking about. Urgh. Those Lindy hop people make me so mad. Isn’t it strange how some people just can never leave their Junior high school mentality behind?
You look fantastic – work of art! Your dress is gorgeous, and the self-made hairband looks like it belongs here. Competitions, winning, all that stuff do not interest me. Your readers love, support, admire you and adore you – it’s so much more meaningful and sincere than winning a competition. Take it easy xxxx
I am competitive by nature. Taking it easy isn’t in my blood. LOL ; P
I can see why you feel robbed… You put a lot of effort into this look and deserved a chance to be considered. And I know it doesn’t make feel any less painful even if you know the contest was rigged. It is up to the organisers to realise that maybe the judges should be changed for the next event, as this lot seems selectively blind: they only see ‘their crowd’, and anyone outside this little clique does not exist… None of this makes any difference, of course, but I’m sure you are not the only one feeling robbed, or cheated after taking part in a contest that clearly was not meant for anyone but a select group of people. It would be so interesting to hear what these other people (who also feel robbed) have yo say… Now, you’re good at organising things, could you reach out to some of them?
It would be a good suggestion. Maybe for our next event I’ll send a little email along…
You get my vote Suzanne!!!
You also get my vote for the most beautiful Valentine’s mantel. I added a link on my blog to your lovely post for Valentine’s decor!
https://fashionableover50.wordpress.com/2015/02/08/i-love-hearts-3/
Happy Valentine’s Day!
♥ carmen
Thanks Carmen : )
I totally agree with you, you should have won. It is spectacular.
And no, I have never been cheated out of something. Never been good enough to even get close haha.
Greetje
I find that hard to believe…what about at work? You seem to excel there like nobody’s business.
Ah… Well, they don’t give any awards for that, other than a grand salary. Which is fine by me.
You and Robert look amazing. That dress is simply stunning, and your headband is a work of art.
It’s a shame the competition wasn’t more open but YOU know you looked great, WE know, and several people on the night also said the same, so you’re a winner really! xxx
You guys look like a movie, and you should have won. Hands down, without even seeing any of the other costumes. Absolutely stunning. And what a fun night!
Perfectly dressed! Plus you have such a sporting partner in crime 🙂
Aw Suzanne, that’s just not fair!! You are very deserving winners in your glad rags. Maybe have a quiet word with the organiser/club owner…
I’m so glad that fabulous dress is getting lots of social action, and that evening sounds wonderful with the pink champagne and 1920s menu. I’d love to go to something like that.
P x
Ah! Sounds like such fun (except for the part where the judges always choose their friends). You look A-Mazing!
Everything about this is mahvelous! What a bummer that the best dressed competition is rigged. Without knowing what everyone else was wearing (besides the snippets of outfits in your photos), I can’t see anything topping your outfit. It is perfectly on-point, head-turning, and fabulous. I would have ran up to you blabbing about how much I loved your outfit. I’m glad to see that your efforts didn’t go unnoticed by others in attendance.
I wish that more occasions called for such dramatic outfits. I’m always on the look-out for themed events. It sounds like you have a lot of them where you live. Jealous! We have a speakeasy here in Nashville, but it’s quite casual and contemporary. I dressed up in a sequin gown with scalloped hem, knotted a long strand of pearls, and pinned my curls back with sparkling brooches. I thought I would be in good company. Not so much!
<3 Liz
http://www.withwonderandwhimsy.com
I only wish I could do these dresses as much as justice as you have. They were made for you!
– Anna
http://www.melodicthriftychic.com
This is like a couple of online blogger competitions I’ve seen come and go. You vote for the blog you love most and then the “jury” picks the winner; it’s not based on votes at all, or only in the most minimal way.
So is it rigged? Yeah. But hey, we know you are winners!! and so did many people there. So keep on dancing! I love that whispering photo too. Also a winner!! I’m cheated of my birthright of Queen of the Universe every. single. day.
You’re the winner in my book, Suzanne! Don’t let those cheaters get you down. They aren’t doing themselves any favours.
Sorry, Melanie, that you aren’t able to take your rightful place. The Universe would be a much better place if you were Queen!
What the, what the now!!!! you was robbed!! you both looked delectable, decadent and delicious, like 20’s Royalty, so you may not have won the award but to me you are Lord and Lady Vintage, the true winners of events like these – being robbed burns, I won’t even start on the ‘Most Progress’ award I should have won in Junior School, I’m not kidding! I was 10!……..I’ll leave it there x x x
Um, yes! You were robbed! Not even nominated?! That is so blatantly wrong. That headband with that dress is spectacular! You both look wonderful! Just think, you were so great that they had to pretend not to notice you. I am intrigued by that lovely sounding food. I love a theme meal. Suzanne, if you ever make your way to Seattle, you must go to Teatro ZinZanni. It is a 1920s themed dinner hosted by a drag queen and acrobats. The best thing we have ever done in life. We have gone many times! You and Robert would love it!
Jenni
Have I been cheated out of something I felt I deserved? Yeah just last weekend when I hosted a Mardi Gras ball for the whole dang town and only 20 people showed up… All my hard work gone down the dad-gummed drain and more beads than I know what to do with.
Okay that sucks big time. I saw that amazing hat you’d made with the beads. Why on earth people don’t want to go out to a party is beyond me.
You look fabulous!! I absolutely love this era! It was so glamorous! Any excuse to dress up and I’m there like a shot!! 😉 LOVE it! #FunFashionFriday
Caro | http://www.thetwinklediaries.co.uk
You were robbed! You look absolutely ravishing and Robert as handsome as ever. You were the winners in my eyes, authentic, stylish and totally fantastic.
Its the same with the vintage events here, extremely clique-y and closed to outsiders. That vintage awards ceremony we attended last year being a prime example. I get a perverse satisfaction out of turning up and behaving outrageously. xxx
I’m sure you were the very best dressed in that outfit, Suzanne! You looked gorgeous! Love the 20’s and art deco. Thanks for joining FUN FASHION FRIDAY!
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
http://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com
Well!! That wasn’t fair. I love your outfit, it is amazing. The effort you put into the headband itself ! I really love that and think it is beautiufl, the feathers look great. Believe me, I would work my butt off, teaching in a private school, and the music program was never appreciated. You and your hubby look amazing, and I would love to go to these types of parties, right up my alley as well.
from the link up,
please stop by, jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com/
You most certainly were robbed if the photos you posted are any indication!! Your outfit is beautiful, flattering and looks era-appropriate. The women in the micro-mini sparkly dresses obviously didn’t do any research before putting together their outfits. There should have been people not connected to any of the groups act as judges, but anyway….
You are a lovely couple, in 20’s costume or your usual everyday wear.
I am so glad to see this dress again! You really added 20s authenticity with the long necklace, shoes and hair piece. The six hours of pin curs were not for naught.
I also love your husbands look, he cleans up!
Too bad you didnt get the award, it is clear you deserve it, but it is good to know that you have achieved something, and can savor that in private.
What a splendid party, molecular gastronomy and all, Cheers!
xx, Elle
http://mydailycostume.com/
You look absolutely amazing!
That dress deserves as many nights out as it wants and it deserves to win! You look stunning and Robert, as always is smokin’ hot. Adults mystify me…so many of them behave as if they’re still in high school…weirdos.
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
First off, I think its wonderful that you actually take the opportunity to find and go to these events, not to mention the time and energy you put into getting ready for these occasions. It appears that there is some definite ‘behind the scenes’ scheming and schmoozing going on with the judging portion of these events, which would be frustrating, especially with your fun and feisty competitive attitude. With that being said, I am quite speechless as to your ensemble, its absolutely stunning and right out of the 1920’s. Your handmade headpiece would have won first place in my judging alone.
Now for my final question and thought, did you have a good time (from start to finish)? If so, then I would just continue to attend these events for the pure pleasure of having a great time and besides, we all here on blogland think your 1st.