Any Secret Cinema Aristocrats?

[Enelya]

Or anyone love styling fancy dress?

I don't want anyone to break the secrecy I just want to know what to wear! I'm supposed to be a duchess so corsets seem out but I'm a size 18 so I can't find anything on line which seems right.

I have a feather stole and gloves, so I'm sorted accessories wise. I have a long purple evening dress, and put together it looks sort of ok but not quite right.

Anyone got any advice?

[chezbot]

How exciting! I'm vicariously stoked for you. Cosplay and Steampunk (for corsetry ideas) google searches are your friend. North East secret cinema equivalent is Screenage Kicks, look on fb for photos of their The Shining ball.

[Enelya]

I have all the plus size steampunk websites bookmarked but haven't tried searching for cosplay. I will try uploading a pic of the outfit I'd cobbled together along with what I had in mind

[chezbot]

You look fabulous. What about something along the lines of what you see on here www.etsy.com/uk/search?q=marie+antoinette+headdress maybe not a full on wig but some beaded or pearly headdress perhaps?

[Enelya]

I'm worried the dress is more 50s than 1900s, although that's less of an issue if I leave the stole on. Those headdresses are very cool, maybe a statement headdress would distract from the less than perfect dress

[plimsolls]

Could you get an elaborately beaded collar/bolero type thing to wear with your dress? It might make it look more like the picture on the right.

(I think you look great, by the way)

Just a thought: is it the colour of the dress that isn't working? It could be my screen (I have the colour settings altered) but it looks like a bright royal blue to me, which maybe isn't very 1900s.

[Enelya]

You are right that the colour of the dress doesn't help. It is Cadbury purple and quite modern. Any bolero would have to be pretty thick, because the dress has an asymmetric neckline which is also not on point!

Maybe I'm just overthinking this, but it will be my first night out in a long time and I don't want to feel dressed wrong!

[Enelya]

Also thanks for saying I look nice! It makes me feel better if I do end up wearing the dress. At least if I don't look quite the right era at least I will look smart

[NewPantsforaNewYear]

Are you willing to spend a bit of money? If so, have a look at Cherlone dresses on eBay. They do cheap balldresses. This one looks the right sort of vintage, although the green is a bit bright.

Alternatively, would you be happy to alter your dress? Making the neckline square would be a good start.

[NewPantsforaNewYear]

Ps I'm terrible for overthinking this sort of thing so, actually, if you feel happy in your outfit then I would go for it as it is. You could look for a large, cheap necklace - this sort of thing but maybe prettier
m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fashion-Ladies-Crystal-Charms-Stones-Chunky-Necklace-Statement-Chain-For-Women-/111599644580?var=&hash=item19fbdb6fa4%3Am%3AmBST93nI5eqJaOsbAErPzhQ&_trkparms=pageci%253Aab1fdaec-0998-11e7-aaa7-74dbd1809e40%257Cparentrq%253Ad2b4024d15a0a5eb3615f4b7fff4db2e%257Ciid%253A18&varId=410713115539

[Enelya]

Those dresses look much closer to what I had in mind, and I want to really enjoy myself so am prepared to spend some money to look right. I have looked at my own (sparse) ballgowns, but was only searching fancy dress not new ballgowns.
Some of those look very Duchess-ey!

[NewPantsforaNewYear]

Oh good.
Just a thought - have you considered hiring an outfit?
Friends have hired brilliant costumes for events and looked amazing. I think they spent about £35 so could end up costing about the same.

[NewPantsforaNewYear]

Would love to go and play here one day. Not sure what they're prices are like.

[Enelya]

I'm happy to hire but the local places don't have what I need and the London ones are slightly too far to be easily accessible

[NewPantsforaNewYear]

That's a shame.
I'd definitely have a look at eBay then or maybe charity shops if you have any good ones near you. I find they usually have a good selection of evening wear and you may find something that would be easier to adapt than your purple one.

[Enelya]

I'm a bit more hopeful now, thanks!

Anyone who's been able to give any hints?

[NewPantsforaNewYear]

I'd love to go to one. I know someone who went to a Star Wars one but I never heard how it was.

Just been looking at their website. Love the look of Lawrence of Arabia at Alexandra Palace.