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50s dress - love it but please help me with the rest.......

41 replies

fiftieslover · 15/05/2012 20:11

Hello ladies,

I'm going on a much needed (bad year) city day out with the girls. I am a curvy size 16 and am in love with this dress...

www.ripleysclothing.co.uk/products/hb-dixie-hell-bunny-prom-swing-dixie-dress-blue-50s-8-18.html

I have ordered it but have no idea what will go with it. I feel like I will need a shrug as I have enough upper armage to feed a small continent for a month Blush

So - shoes, bag and shrug - anyone have any idea?

I have darkish brown hair and am quite pale (think casper the friendly ghost)

We will be drinking all some of the day Smile

any suggestions much appreciated Grin

OP posts:
StellaAndFries · 15/05/2012 20:24

Shoe wise I'd have a look at irregular choice, they have some lovely styles which would look great with that dress. I love HellBunny dresses they are very good quality.

MrsLettuce · 15/05/2012 21:06

these beauties, (seamed?) fishnets and this

I bloody LOVE the dress!

Bargainous but not as fab 50's dresses to be found here. For future more casual and formal stuff.

MrsLettuce · 15/05/2012 21:11

You may wear coverage for warmth, but not for shame. Really now, when was the last time you looked at somebodies arms and thought "fuck, what massive arms"? Eh? Eh?

Soooo, maybe a 3/4 sleeve, cropped, tight fitting black cardie?

MrsLettuce · 15/05/2012 21:18

Forgot me Wink on the last poast. Lax Lettuice. Lax!

IMO this would be perfect, especially if you replaced the buttons with red ones.

ThatGhastlyWoman · 15/05/2012 21:22

This sort of thing for the top. It's lovely (the dress). :)

ThatGhastlyWoman · 15/05/2012 21:24

Or with ruched sleeves. I think the collar is what makes it, along with the shorter sleeves- although these are a bit cheapo, really!

MrsLettuce · 15/05/2012 21:30

cardies again

better than the H&M one - cotton

warmer - not quite the right shape?

whackamole · 15/05/2012 22:10

All the suggestions look great, and thanks for putting all the links in as I simply lurve the fifties look but HATE the price tags on most of them!

fiftieslover · 15/05/2012 22:25

Oooh thanks for the replies,

Love the bag and the shoes but would wear those tiny pin heels down in 5 minutes (elephant of foot) so will have a look at the irregular choice now.

Mrs L - I was thinking of a black shrug but black really makes me look like I've been dug up, so was thinking of a red one, but would need to get the exact red match to the dress, the BHS one in red looks good and the ruched sleeve one also in red ghastly has a nice fifties look

So bag sorted thank you - going to wear this necklace:

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hello-Sailor-necklace-50s-burlesque-Rockabilly-tattoo-retro-style-vintage-/330729504942?pt=UK_Jewellery_Watches_CostumeJewellery_CA&hash=item4d0103c0ae

And lady Vintage - oh my god, the dresses are just lovely, havn't came accross the site before - longing for the spotty brown dress now.

Off to look at shoes...

Thanks everyone

OP posts:
OP posts:
StellaAndFries · 15/05/2012 22:31

I have lots of jewellery from that seller, she is very good :) Another good one to look at is The Treasure Chest :)

whackamole · 15/05/2012 22:40

As you are going out, I'd go for some wedge Keds, like these as they are comfy, but give you a bit of height. Although flat ones would be just as good actually, if you are going to be doing some walking or dancing!

Tesco have some nice little shrugs - can't link to them as can't find them, but they would be fairly cheap and look good. I prefer a buttonable short cardi myself to a shrug that doesn't close.

I'm not sure what sort of bag I'd go for - probably black, although a red polka dot one would be lovely!

MrsLettuce · 16/05/2012 06:47

Oh, I thought I'd linked to these when oyu said the others were too high, but apparently I forgot...

SneakyBiscuitEater · 16/05/2012 08:22

I think 50s dresses are fab for curvy figures, IMO you can't do without a huge petticoat. The dress will be lovely without a petticoat but showstoppingly gorgeous with one. It will make your waist look tiny and you will feel extra special. I got mine from Wagtails www.wagtailsdancewear.co.uk/ and opted for their mid-range one. I wish I'd got the 'biggest-sticky-outest' one though.
Have a wonderful day.

MrsLettuce · 16/05/2012 08:28

Oh, yes, I assumed the OP had a petticoat. Definitely needed.

AgeingFop · 16/05/2012 09:25

For shoes you might want to try TUK. Like Irregular Choice, but a bit goth-ier.

The heels are often a bit sturdier than the ones above.

Havingkittens · 16/05/2012 09:41

www.misslfire.com/ are worth checking out if you like quirky retro shoes.

ThatGhastlyWoman · 16/05/2012 10:11

Now you've done it, Havingkittens!

But the pics are a better size on the online store.

GnocchiNineDoors · 16/05/2012 10:19

red dotty shoes

whackamole · 16/05/2012 10:24

Does anyone have any Miss L Fire shoes? I really like them but I'm between sizes and it's such a faff to return online purchases.

Havingkittens · 16/05/2012 11:09

I have 3 pairs. I can be a 5 or a 6 and mine are all size 6 if that helps at all.

She does some really amazing styles which I sadly can't wear because of my rubbish feet and it breaks my heart, but I suppose on the plus side, it doesn't kill my bank balance!

You can buy quite a few of her styles on Amazon, who make returning stuff fairly easy. I actually ordered 2 sizes from them and sent back the ones that didn't fit.

Good tip about the online store pics. Thanks. She has a facebook page too.

rockinhippy · 16/05/2012 11:21

Probably already been said, but this era is my thing, so I'll add my suggestions anyway

for a day out you need comfort as well as glam, so

Shoes should be ballet pump type, I'd personally clash it, with bright green, or maybe blue flat pumps & a 3/4 sleeve cardi in the same colour - if thats too much for you, go for red, black if you must, but personally I think that will dull down a lovely dress

If its chilly, wear a pair of black leggings underneath, fishnet tights aren't good for a full days walking, they cut into your feet - flesh tights would be okay, but perhaps a bit slippery with ballet pumps

Handbag, red or black, if you need a bigger one, which is more useful on a day out, bucket shapes work well with a 50s look

Hair, scrape one side back/up & pin with a large flower - red would be good, or if you go with clashing cardi & shoes, green or blue

finish with big dark sunspecs (optimistic[grin ) look for retro shapes that suit you & bright strong red lipstick

rockinhippy · 16/05/2012 11:22

& if you need a jacket - go for denim or clash it with leopardskin

GotMyLittleLamb · 16/05/2012 11:27

I own this dress!!! It looks amazing on!! You clearly have brilliant taste Grin The suggestions on here are lots better than anything I can come up with and now I am off to order new accessories for when I next wear my dress hope you have an amazing night!!

fiftieslover · 16/05/2012 19:23

Huge thanks - too many to thank individually Grin

I would never have come up with all these fab ideas! I'm not young brave enough for the clash colours - wish I was though!

So the outfit now goes like this:
Dress - as above
Black Petticoat - was worried this would be too much but what the hell!
Hello sailor necklace
Red Cardi/shrug - going to try on for best fit/shape
These shoes -
www.schuh.co.uk/womens-red-red-or-dead-shirley-glitter/1164523060 (thanks Mrs L!)
Hair as suggested above with red flower

Just seen some more bags as Im now swaying away from black - which one would you pick?

1
www.amazon.co.uk/Irregular-Choice-Lola-Shoulder-Bag/dp/B003ZSYLD6/ref=sr_1_11?s=shoes&ie=UTF8&qid=1337191687&sr=1-11

2
www.amazon.co.uk/Irregular-Choice-Womens-LadyBug-Shopper/dp/B00475A8E2/ref=sr_1_30?s=shoes&ie=UTF8&qid=1337191780&sr=1-30

3
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Irregular-Choice-LOLA-Medium-Grab-Bag-Turquoise-ICLOL04TUR-RRP-49-99-Brand-New-/320904522827?_trksid=p4340.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DDLSL%252BSIC.NPJS%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BUA%26otn%3D10%26pmod%3D320832235703%252B320832235703%26po%3D%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D8461670262009665980

Or do you think I'm getting carried away with all the lovely patterns and colours Blush

Thanks for all the fab links for places I will now shop Grin

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