[In early adulthood there is an activity that plays a large role in most of our lives; nights out on the town. And with those nights out always comes the question: “What am I gonna wear?!?”

Each week I’ll be putting together a cute and affordable “going out” ensemble guide (that you can tweak to your own personal style and body type, of course) so that maybe that age-old question can be answered a little quicker than usual. And your friends aren’t waiting - for hours - for you to emerge from your room. Just consider me your own (free) personal Rachel Zoe.]

It’s the holiday/party season and with the economy in bad shape, it is the perfect time to honor another time of financial woe and give your party outfit some of that old style, 1920′s glamour. I read an article a few months ago when the financial meltdown had just begun that was reflecting on how times of national financial hardship tend to lead to more excessive glamour and glitz for the sake of lifting spirits, so why not take advantage of the currently bleak economy by having fun, going a bit overboard, and puttin’ on the ritz?

A flirty black dress is always popular, and something with ruffles or fringe will get that true 20′s feel…

Stockings were all the rage in those times, but give it a more modern twist with a funky pair of fishnets or sheer textured tights.

A cute pair of peep-toe pumps are the perfect compliment to this look. To add a little fun, get some pumps in a color other than black, like this purple pair.

Of course, no outfit is complete without jewelry, and (faux) pearls are the best option for this look. (Just be sure not to put too many pieces of jewelry on, you don’t wanna look too costume-y)

Or go for ultimate glam and put a vintage/vintage-inspired broach on your dress…

And if you really wanna go for that vintage feel, top it all off with a fun feathery hair piece, or an awesome hat…

I remember going to the circus once in my life and not being particularly enchanted by it. The modern acts didn’t thrill me at age 6, and I certainly wouldn’t pay a couple hundred dollars now to watch unhappy, mistreated animals plod around with their heads down, or to laugh at completely generic, mindless slapstick comedy routines (that’s what George Bush and Britney Spears are for). There’s something I’ve always loved, however, about antique circus art, be it from the harlequin-oriented Victorian era or the tattooed 20′s. Where are today’s knife throwers, horseback dancers and puddle divers?

I suppose most of them probably died practicing their craft, and not many have attempted to recreate the feats more recently. I know I wouldn’t.

I’ll tell you what I would do, though: I would wear the aforementioned ruff, or a daintily-puffed princess sleeve (or maybe even a full-blown mutton like Lanvin showed last season). Most of us are already wearing leotards as outerwear thanks to American Apparel’s (head scumbag) Dov Charney — why not add some sequins to the equation? As an aspiring editorial wardrobe stylist, I have been dubbed “steam punk” in my garment choices- and, though I’m not fond of the term — (Hi, Dances of Vice holds a Victorian-to-30′s-themed party?! Queen Victoria’s reign began in 1837, which makes that theme a century-long time span. Take a quick second to look at Wikipedia and see how much fashion evolved during that period.) I find that, alright, sure, I do own about 12 Dover clip art books full of Victorian art from my brief obsession with becoming a tattooer, I appreciate the subject matter of many of The Decemberists’ songs, and I like pocket watches, monocles and compasses! So sue me. What I’m trying to get at is now, of all times, is probably the easiest time to ever walk around New York in a majorette-type ensemble and not get beat up.

Okay, so you hate me now. You think I’m the most pretentious 1850′s hipster you’ve ever (not really) met and you think, if I dislike the 21st century so much, maybe I should go back to my own time/ maybe I should marry the 19th.

But, shit, I own J Brands, and I’m blogging here. And I just think it’s time to clown around!

You wouldn’t be alone if you thought that a modern, simplistic aesthetic was what was hot at the moment, however, you’d be dead wrong.

What is hot, you ask? Vintage. But not that 80′s crap you’ve been regurgitating for the last 5 years. Nope. Get ready for 1920′s vintage flair.

Needed:

• Beading and fringing

• Drop-waists

• Kate Moss for Topshop

• Short bobs

• Cloche hats

Could this be it? Are the days of babydoll dresses and tent-like silhouettes gone for good? Can we all finally find some dresses that will hug our curves and flatter our features? Is it finally acceptable to be dressed up and beautiful because – gasp! – you want to be?

Kate Moss and Christina Aguilera have almost single-handedly brought the trend back and retailers are finally catching on to the classiness this new look offers. And don’t be turned off by the formalness of it….like most trends, you only need to adapt parts of it. For example, get a fitted beaded bolero and pair it with jeans and some heels. Short hair? Dress it up with a cloche!

Don’t be afraid to be daring this fall! You’ll look goregous!