looking for a sticky outy fifties type dress

[LowLevelWhinging]

am hosting a Christmas party at home and looking for a fifties style party dress.

This shape is great on me here

BUT - and here's the catch I'm finding - am size 16

Halter necks don't suit me, make my shoulders look butch. so while there's lots of these knocking around, no can do.

cheap dresses don't have enough length, lining or structure.

Slash neck or busty is fine.

anyone help?

oh, and I don't have the time or inclination to take three children trawling around vintage shops before anyone suggests

www.ladyvlondon.com/Cute-Red-Floral-Day-Dress_A1DHHH.aspx or just browse, there's loads on there reduced, ordered one myself today

Collectif or Vivien(ne?) of Holloway

:)

omg omg omg, both of you, they're brilliant!

Now why did google not give me that?!

Have added to basket already...

I know what you mean about halter necks, I am the same, but I find that somehow it doesn't apply to Vivien of Holloway dresses. That said - they do matching bolero jackets so you could cover your shoulders...

why so cheap though?

You could try Polka Dot Polly (either via facebook or their web site). They do sticky outy fifties dresses in lots of different fabrics and the prices always look reasonable. One day when I'm rich and also not a size 16 I'm going to order one of their dresses!

I can recommend www.ladyvlondon.com. I too am a size 16 and bought one of their lovely swing dresses for my sister's wedding (after recommendation on here). I've never before (or since) had so many positive comments. Just make sure you measure correctly as the waist's are higher iykwim. They have a Facebook page with a gallery of all shapes and sizes wearing their stuff (monthly fb comp) that you coyld look at if you weren't sure. They also make aome longer length dresses too. I don't want to put a pic on my profile but I'd pm you one if that would help.

Seems my typing took too long!

the petticoats are sold out

Collectif (seconded!) have a look at the dolores doll dress (but more than likely size down)

Petticoats here
www.sohos.co.uk/women/petticoats-tutus/prodlist_apct281.htm
Or cheaper on amazon

Another fan of Lady V. I was unsure whether they would be good quality at the price but the ones I have (hepburn) are nice thick cotton.

Poppy's Children do lovely dresses and petitcoats with beautiful illustrations on them. All 50s shape. They do children's and women's dresses

Yes,yes,yes to Collectif,Lady vintage and Vivien of Holloway. Collectif and vivien also sell petticoats which are the right length for their dresses.

Collectif's customer service is second to none imo-if you have any questions re sizing or styles,stock issues etc then email them and they cannot do enough to help you.

goodas SIZE DOWN?? no one's ever said that to me before, MWAH x

oh and i might need to go outside for a fag so I probably will need something to cover my bare arms. what would you wise women suggest, other than my school run coat?

I'm a busty size 16 and wear a 14 in the dolores doll as its stretch but a 18 in the dolores
This is one of them
i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll66/brighthair84/79C9F372-8D9C-4078-A74D-E908B5A45B00-727-0000005E11741747_zps20ffa769.jpg

I bought a fabulous dress from Vivienne of Hollywood in the summer - their customer service is second to none. They were amazing with the returns I made (sizing is small and I changed my mind just a bit!!)

The quality if excellent and I can heartily recommend them - got loads of compliments about the frock too.

Bolero jacket for day smoking, I would advise.

Collectif do lovely knitted boleros or cardigans. They also have a new faux fur stole in which comes in a couple of different colours I think?

Get Cutie - do dress size and bust size. Great fit and amazing fabrics.

Check out Lindybop. I had their 'Grace' dress (I think? One with the bow on the hip) as a bridesmaid dress for my sisters wedding and it was beautiful. We had them in red and it was a gorgeous deep colour and the quality was fantastic. Only £30!!! Had a great petticoat from Hell Bunny to go underneath. I am a 16 and it was so flattering and looked a lot more expensive than it was. Dare I say it even made me look slightly slim?

Also I wore a black sheer bolero with rushed sleeves with the dress (petticoat was also black). It was from debenhams for £27. Had to shield my bingo wings from the general public. It's the right time to buy this sort of thing as Christmas/party season is coming up so there should be loads in the shops.

I'm worried about get cutie with the bespokeness. no returns innit?

oh, and, DP just told me he hates sticky out dresses

I got a new petticoat from teresashine on ebay as the cream one I wanted wasn't available at Lady V - not tonnes of layers but certainly created the right effect - it was 26" and I thought it was just the right length.

I knit a "shrug" to go with mine which was basically a wide lacy scarf stitched at both ends to create sleeves.