Your favourite 1950s style shoes please.

[withaspongeandarustyspanner]

I've posted on here a few weeks ago, asking for advice and opinions about a 1950s style Boden dress (Chancery) for a friend's wedding in June.

Based on your very sensible advice, and because I didn't LOVE it, I decided not to buy it.

Having not been able to find anything I do like (why is everything above the knee and/or yellow?) I've decided to make my own. I'm not sure of colour yet - I'm buying material tomorrow, but I'm looking for mint green, blue or tangerine.

And this is where I need your advice about shoes. What are your favourites?

Thank you all in advance.

[MrsLettuce]

WHere have you looked for dresses? There I so many about, highstreet, repro and vintage. It's a shameful truth that making one will almost certainly be more expensive than buying unless you go top end.

[MrsLettuce]

Oh, and on topic, could you link to the pattern? Would make it much easier to suggest shoes.

[withaspongeandarustyspanner]

I think I have looked everywhere. I'm not kidding - I've been searching or about 4 weeks. I will try and link to pattern.

[withaspongeandarustyspanner]

I'm no my phone so I can't do anything fancy - so here goes:

item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=321122300100&index=0&nav=SEARCH&nid=30394390359

[MrsLettuce]

beautiful!

[FauxFox]

Nothing at Lady V you like? The perfect fabric is almost harder to find than an actual dress ime!

[MrsLettuce]

this (comes in loads of colours) is pretty similar

[happyreindeer]

Irregular choice?

[MrsLettuce]

I'm guessing you're going for a more purist than whimsical style?

these are pretty good. mint

maybe worth a look
too printy

[SundaySimmons]

I buy dresses from Heyday.

www.heydayonline.co.uk/default/catalogsearch/result/?q=Dress

Excellent customer services, and the dresses are lovely.

[MrsLettuce]

this is beautiful also with short sleeves
minty
too whimsical?

[withaspongeandarustyspanner]

OK, so I thought I'd looked EVERYWHERE turns out I should've asked you first.

I like all those dresses. I'd happily wear any/all of them. The only problem is the sizing. Or rather my sizing. I'm a 14 (I fit into size 14 clothes - though I can get into a 12 bottom). It's my waist though - according to those sizing charts, I'd need an 18 (not for my bust though) which is why I was hoping that I may be able to take that into account by making something.

Unless I need to look for foundation garments, while I'm at it :)

This is getting to be a really long shopping list! I heard today that the wedding will be Village Fete style so I think some of those dresses are just perfect.

And those shoes are what I'm looking for. As for colour, I guess it depends on the dress...

[MrsLettuce]

www.whatkatiedid.com/

shoes again

more 40s
again
again


50s again
black

[JackieTheFart]

Definitely at least try Lady V OP. The dresses are divine - I have two - and are really really well made. A lot of them are very cheap as well. They even have a style almost identical to that patter you've posted!

I'd wear some peep-toe wedges as perfect for summer, and dressy without being too dressy iykwim?

Are you sure you have measured yourself properly? A size 18 is showing as a 36" waist - don't forget to measure your natural waist.

[JackieTheFart]

I know you said no yellow, but I adore this one and will be buying it come pay day. I love the blue circles one too.

I'm thinking these shoes or something similar. Those are a bit high for me and I would prefer something a bit more 50s. Actually these New Look ones are pretty nice and much cheaper!

[withaspongeandarustyspanner]

Jackie what is my natural waist? But what I've measured is 35 - 34 on a 'thin' day. I've had 4 kids in 5 and a half years. My muscles don't play any more.

I love the yellow dress - probably one of my favourites there - but I can't wear it. My skin tones have too much yellow in and whenever I wear yellow I look like I have liver disease :)

[withaspongeandarustyspanner]

And MrsLettuce - wow! I've not heard of What Katie Did before. I've found myself a corset and toying with ordering it.

Does anyone here have a corset? They're quite expensive so I'm anxious about taking the plunge.

And those shoes - I love the Mina Buenos Aires and the JFK.

[withaspongeandarustyspanner]

I love this from Lady V.

Not mint green though, is it? :)

[Rockchick1984]

I love corsets although never paid anywhere near that amount for them - eBay ones as long as you get fully steel boned are fab. Personally I prefer underbust styles (I like to wear a padded bra) and they are perfect under 50's dresses - especially if you get a petticoat to go under the dress!

[WeAreSix]

amazon 50s dress from this seller - have a look at her shop. I've got a blue version of this, and the fabric has got a good stretch.

I wore these shoes from Debenhams.

Whole outfit was inspired by Mumsnet! I felt fabulous :)

[MrsLettuce]

Ah. I assumed you'd seen ladyV already when you said EVERYWHERE . Have you looked at the other usual 40s/50s repro dress suspects? Lindy Bop, 20th Century Foxy, Tara Starlet, Vivienne of Holloway, Hell Bunny? Whirling Turban dresses are fab but very pricey.

As far as underwear goes Katy is great but not cheap, love their seamed stockings. Spanx and a dress altered to fit might be easier. Corsets are a cult unto themselves, but yes, if you do go for one I'd vote for an under bust job too.

[MrsLettuce]

the hell bunny may day dress

[MrsLettuce]

40's blue beauty
dusty pale green 50's
blue rose print (these are boned)

[kneedeepindaisies]

Wearesix- I love that dress you linked to. How long was it on you?

Sorry for the hijack OP.

[trice]

I love miss l fire shoes. They occasionally have good deals on amazon ate link