It’s been a long, long time since I’ve dressed up for a Halloween party or any other costume event. But I was recently reminded of how much fun it can be.

Georgia Writers Museum holds a “Meet the Author” event every month, when we invite a Georgia author to do a presentation, usually based on his or her most recent book. We select a theme for the event—also based on the book—and design the décor, food, and drinks around that. The head of our Programs Committee is brilliant and extremely creative at pulling together table settings and decorations, props, and anything else she can find to set the stage.

One of the main characters in A Matter of Happiness, our most recent featured book, was a flapper in the Roaring Twenties. So, of course, we turned the museum into a speakeasy, and encouraged attendees to dress accordingly.

I used to have a “little black dress”— with rows of fringe—that would have been perfect for the event. Unfortunately, my little-black-dress days, as well as the dress itself, are long gone. I was joking about that with some friends and one of them said, “You know, I might have something that would work for you.”

And she did! I soon became the owner—well, borrower—of an awesome flapper dress, plus a black feather boa and a gold and black, feathered, flapper-style headpiece. So, naturally, I ordered fishnet stockings and elbow-length black gloves to complete the look, although I have no idea when I might have the occasion to wear them again.

We had half a dozen or so flappers at the event—including the author—as well as a number of gentlemen who looked like friends of either Jay Gatsby or Al Capone. And the evening was a great success.

Every so often, I read interviews in which movie and television stars say how much they enjoy playing villains, or other characters who are totally different from who they are in real life. I can relate to that now. I had fun dressing up as a flapper for one night, and thinking about what it would have been like to really be one, living back in the Roaring Twenties.

But when the evening was over and I returned home, it felt good to take off the dress and stockings, the headpiece, and the heavy makeup. Much as I enjoyed being a flapper for one night, I’m happy just being myself the rest of the time.

December 10, 2024
©Betty Liedtke, 2024

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