I'm looking for a 1950s inspired dress........help!

[FabMum1]

I'm going to a wedding in the summer and would love to try something a little different. I'm stepping out of my comfort zone and would love to wear something 1950s inspired.

Am thinking 'Audrey Hepburn', fitted top half, flared out bottom half and a netted skirt.

Can anyone suggest where to start looking?

I buy my shoes mostly from the high street. T-bar or mary jane style shoes are very retro and can be found anywhere. For something a bit more special then obviously Irregular choice have some vintage looking styles and Agnes and Norman do vintage style leather shoes.

I love 50s/vintage. I mostly shop here for it

www.sirensandstarlets.co.uk/

The shop is in Kentish Town, London. They're on Ebay & Amazon too, so you can check those sites 1st for better prices. Their stuff is lovely..authentic, and well made. I like petticoats with 50s dresses (you can easily buy seperately if you prefer). Peep toe shoes with roughly 3 inch heel (not too narrow a heel) are what I usually wear to set off the dresses nicely..

Omg! Some lovely dresses on that website mistressdeecee, beautiful. I just can't decide, do I go for a plain dress or one with a pattern, argh!

So if I bought the petticoat where is best to buy that from? Would it be from the website that stocks the dress I choose?

FabMum1 50s petticoat ideas here, would this help? The shop will have petticoats tho

www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5411.m570.l1313.TR3.TRC2.A0.H0.X50s+petticoats&_nkw=50s+petticoats&_sacat=0&_from=R40

I am zero use as to whether to buy plain or patterned. I buy both, then lament the amount of money spent (worth it to feel & look good tho )

fabmum yes the quality is excellent, as good as any shop bought dress, the fit is good and it is a bargain compared to others I looked at.

^ and be warned that most of the petticoats on ebay are from china/abroad, so don't order if you have less then 8 weeks till the occasion you want to wear the dress!!!

I have ordered from Lady V of london (two dresses - one for a wedding) and quality is good. In fact better than I expected for the price

I've got some gorgeous Hell Bunny dresses.I wear them with Mary Janes that have a small heel.

Lady vintage also do petticoats in a variety of colours for £20. They are quite good but Vivien of holloway does the best petticoats-not cheap at £50 but its an investment.

I love this thread. I have a lovely high waisted swing skirt by steady clothing (red with space print) and always get so many compliments. Have started wearing more of my 40s/50s style stuff to work.

I wear either black mary jane's or lace ups (I have one high pair and one low heel both in brown).

Ordered a swingdress from lady v after reading all the recommendations!

LadyV are great for the price although you do have to be careful with their sizing. I find their new dresses are cut smaller. I have also ordered another one as they have 20% off at the moment so I think that brings my LadyV tally to-8!

Eucalyptus too! (And their ones sometimes come up on Brand Alley - check if there's any in the Clearance section).

So ladies would you say that a white petticoat would go with any colour dress?

Also, where is the best place to get a soft one, that isn't going to drive me mad n making me itch?

Now off to choose my dress, yippeeee. Thank you so much for all your help, it really is helping

Ladies could you also link to some of the ones you have bought from ladyv, it's good to get others ideas

I've just bought this one from Lady V for a wedding reception I'm going to next month. First purchase from them and I'm very impressed.

ladyvlondon.com/Funky-Black-Floral-Swing-Dress/#.UyoDq5IgGK0

Just need to decide what to wear with it (shoes, cardi(?), bag)!

Allinafankle that's lovely, did you order a petticoat to?

I wear 50's style daily too, my college mates were quite agog when I started back in September but used to it now There should definitely be a 50's quiche thread in S&B

Anyhoo has anyone mentioned Polka Dot Polly yet?

No FabMum1, and having tried it on I don't think I need to. Like you it's my first venture into vintage and think a petticoat would be too much for me at the moment!

Hi. I've been lurking on this thread and don't want to hijack but jus t wanted to ask:

Do you think you could put a petticoat under the this dress or is it not swingy enough?

Grr! Link obviously!

www.matalan.co.uk/mobile/womens/highlights/the-statements/s2559696/belted-swing-dress

I think you could put a petticoat under it. Petticoats come in different lengths, 'outiness' etc (sorry I couldnt think of a better word!) so you can just get one to suit dress.