Basic Ensemble

• Pair a black shirt with a white tie for a "gangster" look.Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
  
  The men and women of the 20s reflected the independent, rebellious spirit of the decade. Costumes from the 1920s included flapper dresses complete with layers of swinging fringe that are fun to watch on a dancing woman. These dresses reached just to the knee and bustier was not better as women wanted to look adolescent. If you want to try something a little more glamorous, try dressing in an ankle-length, elegant evening gown. Gangster men wore pin-striped "zoot suits" as they were affectionately called. The trend for men included a black shirt paired with a white tie.
  
  

Accessories

• Accessorize that flapper dress with pearls, a headband and a cigarette.Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
  
  For ladies, dangle a long strand of pearls around your neck and put a cigarette holder in your hand. Women also wore fashionable barrettes or hair bands with sequins and feathers. Paper fans were also a hot accessory for women of this time period. Men wore fedoras or gangster hats that gave them the big, bad image. Come to the party with a large, toy machine gun or a real one (unloaded, of course).
  
  

Hair and Makeup

• Flapper makeup isn't natural. Pair the bold reds with a finger wave hairstyle.Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
  
  Male hair will probably be covered up with a hat for this costume but a slicked back, gelled style is great for those who come without headgear. Women should do a finger wave, if they have short hair, and if not, should invest in a finger wave wig for this costume. Draw eyebrows as thin and long as possible. Do a heavy tweezing job, if you really want to be authentic. Eye makeup is thin and dark all around the perimeter of the eye. Use a blush brush to apply a red tone blush and don't try to go with the natural effect. Avoid blending. Use lots of mascara and a eye lash curler and pair it with red lipstick.
  
  

Costume Alternatives

• If you feel the flapper and gangster ideas are a bit tired, try to stir things up a bit while still sticking to the theme. Since "Black Friday" of the Great Depression began in 1929, men can dress up in a ragged business suit looking tired and depressed. Designer Coco Chanel and the first Miss America were both big celebrities in during the 1920s. Possible male celebrity costumes include Charles Lindberg and Mickey Mouse.