Very late notice but we are going to a party tonight where the theme is American.
What could I wear??
At 40 I don't feel like I want to dress up as some young starlet but nor do I want to look like a frump.
Any ideas?

Bunny Girl
Gangster's Moll
Bonny as in Bonny & Clyde
Samantha's Mum Endora in Bewitched
Shady Lady
Cow Girl
Indian Squaw
1920's Flapper
Hula Hula girl
Statue of Liberty
Cheer Leader
Shirley Temple
Dorothy in the Wiz of Oz got any red shoes?

I think you will be inundated with some exciting prospects..

K

Thanks Kerry,
there is certainly some things to think on.
I think I want to be someone of a similar age to me or else quite generic.
Cow girl or squaw could do that but I will need to take a drive to the costume place to do it.
Ed is going as Payne Stewart - I am going to take up some golf pants to look like plus fours etc...
I was hoping to convert something out of my own wardrobe but not sure how to do it.
I was thinking of doing a take on Martha in her prison gear....

I don't like being a party pooper but find dressing up is not my favourite past time.

Were flappers very American or were they in the UK as well?

What about Calamity Jane who was remembered as a saint by the citizens of Deadwood, South Dakota. She wore mens clothing, chewed tobacco (could you find a substitute?) was very handy with a gun and had a romance with Wild Bill Hickock. Born in the 1800's and died early 1900. "Calamity Jane" is a well known musical. Sorry, neither similar age to you or generic! Just a thought.

What about someone out of grease? a pencil style skirt a twin set ankle socks and some flat shoes carrying some books.

Flappers were everywhere..Think Chicago the movie..

Or:::

A Gibson girl.....Many writers have attempted to describe the Gibson Girl, but Susan E. Meyer, in her book America's Great Illustrators did it best and most simply:

"She was taller than the other women currently seen in the pages of magazines.. infinitely more spirited and independent, yet altogether feminine.

She appeared in a stiff shirtwaist, her soft hair piled into a chignon, topped by a big plumed hat. Her flowing skirt was hiked up in back with just a hint of a bustle.

She was poised and patrician. Though always well bred, there often lurked a flash of mischief in her eyes."

The flash of mischief was not lost upon readers. It was a characteristic they loved, that seemed to exemplify the American spirit of resourcefulness, adventurousness, and liberation from European traditions.

Jacky O

A Salem Witch...take along some cards and read their palms whatever witches do...

Or: One of those cigarette girls who carried their trays suspended from their necks to dispense fags and chocs at half time.

Or: Mrs Zoro..You could wear a Zoro mask and instead of a cape drape a frilly pinny over your shoulders.

Amelia Earhart??? Aviatrix. She just seemed to wear tight white trousers with a leather belt and either a fitted black sweater with a neckerchief knotted under the throat or a manish type shirt with a scarf knotted at her neck cowboy style. Be comfortable that's for sure.

Goodbye from me hope you find something and have a ripsnorting evening.
K

Kerry has mentioned Statue of Liberty. Perhaps you could go as a modern day Statue of Liberty? You could wear a white shirt and drape over and around a white sheet to give the robe look, white sandals, carry a torch and a book and make a pointy crown out of something in a hurry (?).

Yes - do have a great night!

Hello Helen,
How was the American themed party and did you dress up as a "flapper"?
D.

It was fantastic - it was the Vodafone Christmas party, it was at Greenlane Showgrounds and they had different halls with different music and mood styles including a casino with karaoke, Vegas chapel to get married, the Bronx complete with burning car, basket ball hoop, motown music, popular dance music etc...
Food was at stalls and was self help hot dogs, fish n chips, tacos, donuts, hot ham and salad rolls & a south beach deli which had raw veges, guacomole, cashews, walnuts, sprouts, dried and fresh fruit.

As we lined up to go in there were actors who were Mexicans on the other side of the fence all yelling and desperate to get into America. Once inside there were also actors - hustler girls, street beggars etc....
There was a beach complete with bay watch babes and guys and a surf machine going in case you wanted to surf while you were there.

It was just incredible the effort and attention to detail.

I went as Martha Stewart - pale pink twinset which I borrowed, pearls, red polka dot skirt, elegant shoes and one of the dessert aprons from the foodlovers store which tied it all together beautifully. I was the only Martha there (amongst about 1000).
There were heaps of cowgirls and boys with high cleavage and bare navels, indians, cheerleaders, harlem globetrotters, grid iron players, marilyns, Bush, Monica's, Clintons, pink ladies, Simpsons, 1 sponge bob... in fact due to the young age of the general staff there was a load of bare flesh.
I couldn't keep up with that - although not all of it was slender!
I was really pleased with my look and quite within my comfort zone - scary as that is! I felt a little like a blonde Bree va der Camp.