Got a wedding to go to and want to look vaguely 1930s - can anyone help?

[ElizabethBathory]

I don't even know what a 1930s style dress would be like exactly... It's a smart wedding and I'm a member of the bridal party so want to make a big effort. Any ideas where to start?

It will be summer and I'm 5'5", size 8, small to medium bust (can't do braless unless dress is boned/very structured), broad-ish shoulders and narrow hips so don't look great in jackets or top-heavy styles. Would prefer not to wear very high heels, unless absolutely necessary. Small heels fine flats even better.

I went to a 1930s themed party once and hired a dress from the theatrical costumiers Angels & Berman for it. Have a look at pictures of eg the Mitfords / Freda Dudley Ward / Daisy Fellowes for inspiration

It would be cut on the bias, calf length and probably backless. It would be in satin or crepe de chine.

30s fashion is really glam!

That sounds gorgeous Orangeanddemons! And will start my research there Easter, thanks.

Also, I'm 32 and have Anne Hathway type colouring if that helps. And bobbed wavy hair so I'm thinking I could do 20s/30s hair quite easily.

I might have used the phrase bridal party wrong - I just mean she's a family member - I'm not a bridesmaid or anything.

That outfit and wedding sounds gorgeous Precious, and am liking the idea of the shoes.

I could steal my mum's pearls for the day too...

Would a long (rather than knee or calf length) dress look odd for the daytime part of the wedding? We'll be in the same art deco location for the whole thing, so there'll be no traipsing to churches during the day time.

Sounds gorgeous, I love that era... glam, sophisticated and sexy!

I would go for a long dress like THESE.

THIS stunning coast number is on sale.
THIS Ghost dress in Emerald would be stunning with diamond drop earings and your hair set in waves. Or
THIS Ariella half price bargain.

I am utterly jealous!

Sorry X post.

I think long would be ideal, it captures the era and allows for comfortable footwear!

Wow, that last one in teal is fantastic. That curved waistline is so 30s

Zara had some nice 30s style dresses last summer. DD wore a lace one to her prom. It was mid calf and looked lovely with flats too. We bought from ebay but dress was new with tags.

You should really have a capelet with it. That fastens with a diamante clasp

[http://www.fashion-era.com/stylish_thirties.htm look here]] for tips

here

Thanks for this love the teal one but they don't seem to do an 8. Love the beaded Coast one too! Bit worried they might all be too dramatic though?! Love the idea of a capelet.

Might have to order the Coast one to try...

GO for it, it is stunning!

Ariella are notoriously small made a 10 would be more of 'big 8' if that makes sense.

Ok that explains why they say the model is wearing a 12. But it doesn't explain why the size guide says a 10 is a 72 cm waist, which seems bigger than usual if anything Worth a try anyway!

I am a bit bigger than you (read twice your size!) but I am a 16 in Ariella and a 14 in Coast, Almost Famous, Whistles, Damsel in a dress etc.

Worth try especially if you have a big John Lewis near by.

Ah ok, the 10 would probably be perfect then :)

Happy shopping, let us know how you get on.

I love the 1930s ElizabethBathory. These are the looks I think of immediately for full-length:

Keira Knightley in Atonement

Kristin Scott Thomas in Gosford Park

I love the Ghost dress in emerald fwiw and you could figure out a bra option I'm sure.

I wore a beautiful 1930s-style dress to an event last year. It was actually my mother's, she had bought it in the 80s but it was very 1930s - red silk, midi length, drop waist, totally plain. I wore it with T-bar shoes and a headdress thing.