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Original poster

50s style swimsuits - are the plain colour ones frumpy/old ladyish IRL?

27 replies

MrsLettuce · 28/05/2013 10:02

I bought a fab and very flattering swimsuit a while ago, I was in love (here) but it was badly made and they've agreed to take it back and send me another one of my choice or give a full refund, apparently they haven't come across problems with the quality of this brand before but who knows Hmm.

I'm worried there might be quality problems again if I go for the same suit again, although it could just be bad luck as they claim. I do adore the fine chequer and red combo but maybe I'd get sick of it quicker than a plain colour. Possibly.

I really like the look of the Esther Williams swimsuit in emerald green, but do you think a plain colour might be frumpy IRL? The site I'm actually ordering from (here isn't in English and doesn't have as much choice as ModCloth BTW.

I love to 50s look and wear a lot of that sort of style but I fear the cherries on black is too much of a cliche for me to hack, ditto red and white spotty and I don't do navy. Help!

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cardamomginger · 28/05/2013 10:12

Well that sucks! But I'm glad they are going to resolve it for you. I have to say, I'd be scared of ordering the same thing again, in case that's just how they are.

I think the emerald green is gorgeous - I don't think it would be frumpy at all!

Have you seen these?

www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Biba+Draped+bandeau+swimsuit/175740951,default,pd.html

www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Biba+Draped+bandeau+swimsuit/176273703,default,pd.html

Original poster
MrsLettuce · 28/05/2013 10:18

Thanks cardamom.
Those are lovely! International postage and exchange rate discourages me from ordering from the UK unfortunately, no Biba over here that I've ever found.

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BunnyLebowski · 28/05/2013 10:23

The green is a really lovely shade but I do prefer the patterned ones.

Particularly the gingham and the red polka dots. The cherry print is not as nice and like you say harder to pull off.

Another ModCloth fan! I'm giddily awaiting an order in the next few days Grin

Original poster
MrsLettuce · 28/05/2013 10:30

Ooh, exciting! What did you go for?

I like the gingham too but it's a bit too rockabilly for me, the matching on the patterns at the back is often bad, I fear. here. My other one had no back seam so it wasn't an issue, think the fit is probably nicer with one though.

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Original poster
MrsLettuce · 28/05/2013 10:34

Am also (maybe) considering the striped ones, here but I'm not really feeling the 50s vibe from them even though the cut is the same as the others.

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cardamomginger · 28/05/2013 10:41

Oh - you're not UK. Sorry! Stripes are nice, but it's not really 50s. I think there's a danger of looking like a boiled sweet and I'm not sure the stick of rock vibe is what you are after.

cardamomginger · 28/05/2013 10:42

I love this one:

marsurmer.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/GH-2012-Sandy-Frock1.jpg

Original poster
MrsLettuce · 28/05/2013 10:52

Yeah, that last one is nice but it's the same brand as the failed, fabulous one unfortunately. I don't think I trust them. Esther Williams ones seem to get better reviews on modcloth.

I'm not bothered about it screaming 50's as long as it's flattering and not frumpy. I think it's between the emerald, the red and the black and white stripe ATM. Fortunately the Dutch aren't aware of rock! I do find a good horizontal stripe massively flattering but modclth reviews are saying the white is slightly see through when wet. hmm.

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Original poster
MrsLettuce · 28/05/2013 11:00

Red is so damned obvious though and I tend to be wearing red lippy. Might look like a christmas tree in the green I suppose, unless I remember to wear another lippy. So damned frustrating, I though I was finally all sorted with my first one. Still like it best really but have now decided I definitely don't dare to risk that brand again.

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cardamomginger · 28/05/2013 11:03

You wouldn't look like an Xmas tree at all! I prefer to think of the red as a 'timeless classic', rather than the obvious choice Smile. I think you are right to shy away from the same brand. Not sure I'd risk see-though strips of white either, TBH.

Original poster
MrsLettuce · 28/05/2013 11:44

not so bothered about slight transparency on the white as I am about the possibility of an unfortunately striped fanjo peeking out from the under the 'skirt'! THe precise pattern of how the stripes fall must vary suit to suit. The red and white stripe is growing on me.

Am happy in red dresses but I think I'm a bit scared of a plain red cozzie. I do like the red and white spotted one but there's a LOT of that about over here. THe children would probably sing a well known song about a toadstool... Navy and white spots? I tend to avoid navy though. I could get a black and white spotty one elsewhere but I'm a bit meh about that TBH.

This is what my mother would call a luxury probleM!

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Original poster
MrsLettuce · 28/05/2013 12:44

Bunny, WWYD?

Red and white striped is appealing most but it's a risk. Like the old time seaside echos.
I like the emerald but fear dowdy or it being just the wrong shade for me.
Then there's black and white polka, nice enough and safe but I'm not excited about it.

THe woman is waiting for me to get it touch.

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Original poster
MrsLettuce · 28/05/2013 13:39

Fuck it. I think I'm just going to get the one with cherries.

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BunnyLebowski · 28/05/2013 13:41

If it's between the green and the red/white stripe, I would go for the green.

I really don't like pattern on the striped ones and they don't look very 50's.

The green is more classy and, if you style it right, won't look dowdy at all.

I get what you mean about the polka dots. They are popular but so so cute Smile

Original poster
MrsLettuce · 28/05/2013 13:44

Thank you! And between the cherries and the green?

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BunnyLebowski · 28/05/2013 13:46

The cherries! Always the cherries Grin

cardamomginger · 28/05/2013 13:51

On me, I'd prefer the green, just because I don;t really do prints. In anything! But the cherries is gorgeous Grin.

Original poster
MrsLettuce · 28/05/2013 13:52

Thank you so much bunny and you too cardamom! Cherries it is!

Any styling I attempt to apply will go to shit after a couple of hours, a swim and a batch of child wrangling.

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Original poster
MrsLettuce · 28/05/2013 13:54

Ordered!

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cardamomginger · 28/05/2013 13:56

Grin. Let us know what it's like when it arrives!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 28/05/2013 16:30

I think they are gorgeous and would love a red and white polka dot one, cliche or not. Plain red would be nice too.

browneyedpixie · 28/05/2013 17:58

gorgeous style. Topshop have some in stores!

Original poster
MrsLettuce · 28/05/2013 19:20

THanks Remus - sorry to be so damned cheeky but I got in quite a flap Blush If the cherry one doesn't work out I'm definitely going with the red.

Topshop hey. Grr. There was a nice one in peacocks too, amazingly. THink that might have been a tip from bunny. All this stuff in UK shops makes me horribly envious, totally different over here.

Shall update when it arrives, probably thursday or friday at a guess.

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RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 28/05/2013 19:21

You weren't being cheeky. I love retro stuff but have got a bit boring in my old age. Hope you love it when it arrives.

Original poster
MrsLettuce · 28/05/2013 19:22

Thanks!

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