I went to a Bavarian evening last night, all dolled up in frilly skirt, gypsy top and laced waistcoat

[sassyTHEFIRST]

And I loved the look. As a bosomy (very) person it kept them controlled, showed my waist and legs. What's not to like?

AIBU to adopt Gretel as my style icon?

Could be a bit twee.

How about <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=www.muttznuttz.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/kate_beckinsale.jpg&imgrefurl=www.muttznuttz.com/woman-of-the-week-kate-beckinsale/&h=450&w=360&sz=56&tbnid=g-588ScvRKGdkM:&tbnh=127&tbnw=102&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dvan%2Bhelsing%2Bkate%2Bbeckinsale%2Bcostume%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=van+helsing+kate+beckinsale+costume&hl=en&usg=__De_lc3-NZ46Znekmtoq-bdJzdXw=&sa=X&ei=QarXTdm0E8GHhQf_yrnFBg&sqi=2&ved=0CCgQ9QEwAQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this look?

Perfect for the school run, and an end to all the requests to join the PTA.

Hmmm. So mediveal vamp, not peasant?? Possibly...

(I am on the PTA already. In fact it was a PTA fundraising night! Saddo emoticon)

if it suits you, maybe not the full look, depends where you live and how you'd carry it off but elements of it why not.

I'd personally skip braids though

I think you should go the whole hog and get some lederhosen

I think it's a great look (on some), such a shame it can only come out at fancy dress occasions.

In a similar suit I went to a party dressed as Krystal Carrington last weekend, and you know what, I looked AWESOME. The shoulder pads made my waist look tiny and my hair looked gorg with the flicky fringe.

heh e he the shoulder pads

I am so glad I was not a grown up in those days, I might have worn them

If they came back in I would wear them in a flash, they created some sort of miraculous optical illusion that gave me the waist of Scarlett O'Hara.

I think something similar can occur with all those lacings up in a Bavaria outfit and the sticky out skirt.

but if it meant your husband would start wearing knickerbockers?

Sorry can't see the word knickerbockers without thinking of glory

would you stick in some wafers?

I see dh as chunky monkey

Oh yes. Wafers in the beard

He is looking at me suspiciously now as I keep eyeing him up hungrily.

dh is winging it across the Atlantic atm so he is safe

I look nice (if I say so myself) in those Bavarian outfits, think most women do, but where would you ever wear anything like that - school run, shopping, work?

Could you maybe get the same sort of effect with a \link{http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&productId=2263814&langId=-1&categoryId=&searchTerm=corset&pageSize=20\really wide belt}, or an \link{http://www.asos.com/Asos/Asos-Colour-Block-Wide-Ties-Obi-Belt/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1579141&cid=4174&Rf900=1435&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=-1&sort=-1&clr=Blue\obi-style belt}

Think dh quite liked it too. Kept calling me wench and slapping my bottom gratuiously.

There were a few guys in lederhosen and comedy moustaches. Not such a good look on the Herrs I'm afraid to say.

If they were acceptable for everyday British wear I would don my Bavarian outfit to a church family fun day or possibly an evening barbecue with friends.

that's a trend waiting to be started

Ooh Jackie that three tiered belt is interesting. What would you put that over the top of then?

Sassy I would have disapproved of being called a wench. I'm sure there are plenty of perfectly respectable non bawdy ladies who live in Bavaria.

Nah,slubber. Wench can mean a bawdy or a strumpet but usually means a working class girl (see dictionary.com).

Tis pity I can't really wear the gear for sainsburys or to the pub for lunch. It really suited me. But it will have to be back to sensible neutrals for now to save being arrested.

Slubbers, I'm not entirely sure on the 3-tiered belt (it has an interesting hint of bondage to it, too, I think ). For the bavarian-ish (only very vaguely -ish) effect, I'd try it over something like \link{http://www.oasis-stores.com///fcp-product/3770019000\a little floaty dress}, but I'm not sure if it'd work or not. Could look good over something like \link{http://www.oasis-stores.com/Stripe-Pintuck-Dress/Dresses/oasis/fcp-product/3770019700\this} too, for a v summery look.

wench wear

no idea who these people are, just link that came up when I googled dirndl. I think if you have a wide waist, you're still going to look like you have a wide waist in an outfit like that, don't you think?

some of them show a bit too much cleavage for my everyday taste.... Think it might be the freshness of the white against the strong colours that makes them flattering

quite like that first dress, the second one has a hint of old fashioned night gown to it but also nice

I meant the two dresses on Jackie's links

I like that 2nd dress of Jackie's. Would have to try it on to make sure it wasn't too nightyish I agree Zen.

Lol @wench wear, FAR too much bosom showing on some of them.