SATEEN AND FINEST FLANNEL: If you're fond of dressing with wayback flair, a possibility of going to a soiree with a recommended vintage dress code can send you to your closet in search of your best double-breasted tuxedo, your finest sleeveless evening gown, the heels or shiny dress shoes that make you feel your best. Much rarer is the soiree that sends you to your drawers or your pajama armoire -- you have a pajama armoire, yes? -- to dig out a robe or socks or slippers or a public-ready nightie. The Art Deco Weekend aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach, though, does just that. Sure, there are daytime to-dos that do suggest that the ladies and gentlemen in attendance slip into a nice frock or waistcoat-dress shirt-slacks combo, but one of the highlights of the Labor Day Weekend affair is the nighttime Friday night Deco Derby & Pajama Jam.
PAJAMAS ON, SWELL PEOPLE: The Art Deco Society of Los Angeles says "your best vintage loungewear" is the order of the night (think of the shiny robes Nick & Nora Charles might have worn in "The Thin Man") as is enjoying the ship's Queen Salon and the stylish tunes of Jim Ziegler's Band. The derby part? You'll try your hand at cheering on the ponies (think tabletop, not racetrack). Been to a whoop-di-doo in just your lovely loungies lately? It's time.
IT'S ALSO TIME... to attend a Prohibition tasting, to shop a vintage bazaar, to take a Strolling Art Tour of the fabled ship, and to attend a few dances, including a proper Sunday tea dance. Design and architecture of the Art-Deco-iest order are the themes, for sure, but fashion, conversation, food, and the aura of the era will be in full and fabulous effect.
