A Modern Take on The Great Gatsby

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Those of you who followed along on my IG stories last weekend saw that my cousin got married — and had an epic Great Gatsby-themed wedding party. It was so much fun! I know quite a few of you have been waiting for a post showing more of the dress I ended up wearing to the wedding. But, much to my dismay, we actually didn’t get many photos of me in it. Since it was my cousin’s big day, my boyfriend was mostly focused on shooting her, her family, and of course, the party.

For those of you who missed my IG story selfies, I ended up wearing a stunning royal blue sequined maxi. It was tight-fitting and flattered me surprisingly well, at only $20 from Burlington Coat Factory! I normally never shop there but the one time I stopped in, I got lucky. Does anyone else love that feeling?! It was definitely a steal — I’m hoping there’ll be another fancy event that will give me the perfect excuse to wear it again and this time, actually get photos in it.

So, why this gold dress today, then? Well, when I was first shopping around for dresses, I went to Macy’s and started looking around for gold sequined dresses. After all… when you think of 1920’s/Great Gatsby, that’s what you think of, right? Of course, I was planning on wearing it with my headpiece, pearl necklace, glittery clutch… and you know, make it all Gatsby-like. I got this dress for just under $300, right before I happened to find myself at Burlington and found the royal blue dress which I decided I liked more for the occasion. Anyway, this number is still super gorgeous, and since I had already purchased it… I couldn’t pass up on the opportunity to at least get photos in it!

I live just five minutes away from The Griffith Observatory, so David and I trekked up there during sunrise to grab some shots which turned out quite ethereal looking. Just thought I’d share them with you here 🙂

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For the wedding, I got my hair done by my cousin’s best friend who is the queen of hair! Again, I’m a bit bummed I didn’t get a good photo of it before it totally fell apart by the end of the day. I had an idea of how I wanted it, and for this shoot, I basically did a “practice run.” Loose layers to frame my face, and the rest tied back somehow. The real deal involved intricate braids which I could not create myself. I wish I was talented with hair but really, I think I’ll stick with make-up when it comes to getting adventurous… haha.

On the day of the wedding, I was glad I ended up going with the blue because literally everyone (okay maybe like 60%) showed up in a gold dress of some sort. The blue dress was a little different and I was able to make it Gatsby-looking with a hair piece and matching statement necklace.

Do you have any exciting themed weddings to attend this year?

Photos by David Potter

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219 Responses

  1. Omg you look stunnnnnnning in that dress!!! So glad you got some photos in it since you didn’t end up wearing it to the wedding. Happy Friday babe 🙂

  2. You are a vision, Sharon! These photos of you are so breathtaking, and the sequin details of this number are to die for. Have a great weekend!

    1. Thanks, Michele! I guess you could say it’s two layers! The top layer is more see-through and holds all the sequins and the layer underneath is just basically like a nude slip ish. Haha!

    1. Thank you, Miranda! It was my first time attempting a hair do like that and I have to admit I was pretty happy with it too haha xx

  3. The dress is absolutely gorgeous but the price of the blue dress!!!! That’s such an amazing deal!! I know the blue dress was gorgeous because the gold dress is stunning and you have amazing taste in fashion!!! Love the pictures too!

  4. That dress, these pictures, the setting, you, seriously stunning! I agree, very ethereal indeed! I always bemoan the fact that I was born in the wrong era. As soon as I soon this dress on IG I knew I had to check if you had more pictures. You and David did a great job, seriously stellar shots. I did see your blue dress and that was equally gorgeous and by the sounds of it, you made the right call going with that one for the wedding. I don’t have any themed weddings coming up alas, but I am going to a bridesmaid next year for my brother and sister in law to be! I think it will be my last time so I am very excited by that 🙂 xx

    1. Thank you so much, Jess! You’re so kind <3 The blue dress was super pretty as well and I think I'll probably find some time to do another princess shoot in it ha! Congratulations on your brother getting married, and you being a bridesmaid! Must be really exciting 🙂 I'd love to read a post on your experience as one then. Is it your first time being a bridesmaid?

  5. Haha, I can see how frustrated you must have been when David actually was doing his job and not taking pics of you, but I do agree it’s a pretty we didn’t get a closer glimpse at it. Now it’s left to our imaginations to imagine what a Great Gatsby queen you were entering the wedding in your blue dress. But let’s not be beat down by that, the fact is that this photo shoot is so incredibly awesome. I could go on with superlatives all day long, but as I’ve already proposed to you today (one might think) with all the compliments I’ll just end this by saying you look stunning (and that David did a great job!) 🙂
    Love,
    Thomas

    http://www.thomasfalkenstedt.com/2016/11/04/the-art-of-being-grateful/

    1. Thank you so much, Thomas! Haha actually I was fine with him taking photos of the wedding… I can always take pictures of me in that dress another time 🙂 It’s sitting in my closet now waiting for the next special occasion haha!

  6. This look is stunning Sharon. I am so glad you decided to have David snapped some shots of this beautiful look which is pretty much flawless from head to toe. I am sure you looked just as beautiful in that blue dress which is really a great deal! You need to tell David that he is one lucky guy in this world to have you as his girlfriend and date to your cousins’ beautiful wedding!

    xo,
    Jo
    http://www.glamfashionbook.com

  7. This dress is just too beautiful! Love it when you find the right dress! I love the details on it! You look like you should be in the movie! ❤️❤️ I need to make my way up to the observatory when no one is around for pictures like this! Can’t wait to see the other dress if you do a shoot with it!

    Love, linh
    http://xcapewithlinh.com/im-so-into-you/

    1. Thank you darling! The Observatory is definitely a great place to shoot! So pretty up there especially during sunrise and sunset. 🙂

  8. These are some of the prettiest photos you’ve posted yet! I absolutely adore that gown on you – ethereal was definitely the right word to describe this! I’m so glad you chose a fun blue for the wedding though, because it’s nice to stand out sometimes as well 😉 Hope you have a great occasion coming up to show this piece off soon!

    Stephanie // SheSawStyle.com

    1. You’re too sweet, Stephanie! So good to me, always. I’m so lucky to have you in my life! Hope you have a wonderful weekend x

    1. Haha nah, this gold one was almost $300 LOL but the one I ended up wearing was just as pretty (in its own way) for only $20 😉 thanks hun xx

  9. You look wonderful! Queen of hair indeed. Weddings are so fun, I wish more of my friends were getting married. Living in Vancouver, I feel like that step is skipped in order to acquire property (I’m guilty of this myself).

    1. Haha I actually feel the opposite about weddings… normally don’t love them but this one was a ton of fun and the theme was incredible! 😉

  10. I LOVE this dress! It looks perfect on you. I love Griffith Observatory! It’s so beautiful and the view is spectacular. This dress is timeless and a great piece to have in your closet. You look gorgeous ‼️

    1. Haha the gold dress pictured here was just under $300 but the blue dress I ended up wearing was only $20! Yes, talk about a steal! Thank you for stopping by babe xo

    1. Thank you, Kandja! I’m glad you like the hair because I literally spent 5 minutes on it haha was hoping it wouldn’t turn out looking too sloppy!

  11. I’m in love with this stunning dress you wore to your cousin’s wedding! Hehe loved it when I saw your Instagram post of it. That’s so neat that your boyfriend was the main photography for your cousin’s wedding. I hope it was a beautiful day for your cousin and your family.

    xoxo
    http://www.atsunamatsui.com

  12. Omg how cool! A Great Gatsby themed wedding sounds fantastic! This dress is so stunning on you! So glad you got in a shoot with it for memories, even if you didn’t go with it! I reaally like your hair this way! You should wear it up more often! It’s a shame that you didn’t get too many pics from the actual wedding in but I’m sure that your bf got awesome shots of the bride, groom, family and wedding itself. I do hope you make time for a shoot with your blue dress! Dying to see it 🙂

    XO Jenn
    http://www.jennsemble.com

    1. It was a ton of fun! Thank you, Jenn! I actually am sort of self-conscious about my hair up and don’t really know why… I guess I just feel most comfortable with hair framing my face but I think I’m liking this half up half down look 🙂 I’ll have to get some photos in the blue gown one of these days too! Thanks for stopping by xo

    1. Thank you so much dear! Ohhh the bride was beautiful haha even if I wore this one I would have been safe 😉 but both of the dresses were beautiful so it was hard to pick. The blue one just stood out a little more (not in the way where I’d steal the show of the bride, but just different from what everyone else was wearing) so I liked that. Thanks for stopping by! xx

    1. AHH! I would have had a blast! Give me a reason to fly to Sydney 😉 haha thank you so much Helen! I can’t wait to see you in March; next year can’t come sooner. Love you too! xoxo

  13. This dress is incredible! I love this on you. It’s so glam and I totally see how this fits into the gatsby wedding! Blue is definitely more exciting for the party though. I think everyone would’ve worn white, sequins and gold. Your hair didn’t look like it fell apart. It looks really pretty! What incredible photos though, really. 🙂 So awesome to keep a dress like this for occasions.

    Xo,
    Miki
    http://mikialamode.com

    1. Thank you, Miki! When I first tried this dress on actually, I thought it looked big on me but then it grew on me a bit more. Not all dresses are supposed to be tight-fitting and this one just has a naturally more “drapey” feel to it. On the contrary, the blue one I ended up wearing to the wedding was tight-fitted and that was probably one of the reasons why I leaned toward that one just a tad more, haha!

  14. I love the Great Gatsby era and it is actually one of my favorite books! This gown is so stunning and all the details are incredible! Love the Observatory as well and what a perfect place to take these photos. The blue dress was a lovely choice as well for the wedding! Can’t wait to see more of that dress too! xoxo, Christine
    http://dailykongfidence.com/

    1. It’s one of my favorite books, too! So when my cousin told me her wedding was going to be Great Gatsby themed, I was thrilled. Thank you for always being so sweet to me and I’m happy to hear you enjoyed these photos! I hope to get some pictures in the blue dress soon 🙂 xx

    1. Me too! They’re so fun! I actually hate weddings usually… they are stressful and can be boring depending on who’s wedding it is but this one was definitely not one of those. 🙂 I haven’t been to a Great Gatsby themed birthday party but that sounds like a blast!!!

  15. You look stunning!! I am planning on buying this dress but i’m debating between sizes, can you give me some advice with the sizing please, xoo

    1. Hi Monica, this dress is pretty true to size. It is on the longer side though so if you’re any shorter than 5’8″ ish you’d definitely have to wear heels… and by heels, I mean 4 inch heels at least. I got it in the smallest size which is a 0 and it fit me pretty well. It could have been a bit tighter but then again someone like me with a 23 waist can always go smaller 😉 Hope this helped! xo

    1. Thanks, Nicole! I’m glad you like the make-up since I totally just winged it at 6:30 in the morning! My boyfriend is still working on the actual wedding photos (these photos were taken days prior to the wedding after I decided I was going to wear a different dress to the wedding haha). Thanks for stopping by!

  16. This is so beautiful, Sharon! I wish we could have seen what you wore to the wedding because your description sounds so lovely, but this dress and entire look is so gorgeous! A Great Gatsby themed wedding sounds so fun! I’m sure you guys had a blast 🙂

    1. Thanks, Marlena! So great to hear from you. Hope you’ve been doing well and let’s catch up over tea again soon xo

  17. Wow!!! You look so super beautiful!! The photoshoot is extraordinary beautiful and your dress… WOW!!! Perfect as well for the Great Gatsby theme! Unfortunately I don’t have that many themed weddings, but if I ever have something similar like you, I will keep this article in mind! Xx Susanne – http://bagatyou.com

  18. Love this! The Great Gatsby theme is so popular, (one of my favorite themes!) but people always wear similar things. I bet the blue dress was gorgeous! Love the one in the pictures above as well though!

    1. Thanks, Kendra! You’re right… people do sort of end up wearing really similar things, which was why I decided to switch it up some with a blue sparkly dress hehe 🙂

    1. Thanks babe! This dress would have been perfect for the wedding but it definitely didn’t hurt to be a little different in the blue dress I ended up wearing xx

    1. Haha I wish I got this dress for $20! It was closer to $300 but I found another dress which was super pretty that I ended up wearing to the actual wedding for $20 🙂 Thanks! x

  19. OMG OMG OMG, you look stunning and flawless babe and that dress seems to be made for you! Love the color and style, what a great dress for a Gatsby wedding (I do hope people looked at the bride too and not just you ;)).
    And yes, I totally know the feeling of finding something at such a steal, now I cannot wait to see what kind of blue dress that is?
    xx, Kusum | http://www.sveeteskapes.com

    1. Thank you Kusum!!! The bride was super stunning, believe me! Haha I looked nothing like her 😉 I’ll have to do a shoot in the blue dress soon since I’ve peaked so many people’s interest haha!

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