I want a knockout Joan Holloway worthy dress. Help!

[NotTodaySatan]

I want a dress. Budget is up to £150.

I love retro inspired 40's and 50's shapes. Classy and elegant but also sexy and I'm not averse to flashing a lot bit of cleavage .

I don't like Lady V, Hell Bunny and other such brands. I find them a bit tacky and a bit ubiquitous.

I am a size 12-14 at the minute but am planning getting to a 12 and hopefully staying at that size.

I have a vaguely hourglass figure. 40-32-41.

I love the 20th Century Foxy Mansfield but already own a slew of LBDs.

I also like the Tara Starlet Marina but it is backless and also looks a bit underwhelming on bloggers etc (seems to look better on the site).

I've just found this one

What do we think? I would prefer plain to pattern but quite like the colours.

Colour preferences are dark green, midnight blue, dark red, maybe purple. Black fine too. I am pale and have dark + silver hair.

Has anyone seen a nice 50's-esque frock on their travels??

I love a bit of Joan. I tried this on and it gave me curves. I'm not curvy, I'm straight up and down. www.phase-eight.com/fcp/product/phase-eight/dresses/tabby-textured-dress/202791351

Thanks for replying grumble .

Love that but it's a wee bit more work-y than I'm after. Looks super flattering though.

any good?

The bombshell by Katya Wildman is amazing. Most flattering dress I own. Most of them are more than £150 full price, but there are always some in the sale: www.bombshellbykatyawildman.com/productDetails.php?ProductID=954

tether love the shape and the colour. Not keen on the paisley print.

Think I'd prefer 3/4 or long sleeves too. I have so many short and cap sleeve dresses.

anice that's really nice. I think it may be a but long for me though. I'm a shortarse .

Have you looked at Vivienne of Holloway . I was raging when SIL and her bf broke up, I had my eye on a dress for the wedding I'd planned...

Joan actually wears quite bodycon shapes, lots of sweetheart necks but not very 50s shapes (the typical 50s shape would be mid calf, tight on bodice and loose hooped skirt). I don't personally think the 50s shape flatters many because they tend to cover up great legs, which most people have even if more self conscious about stomach etc. could you go for a more slimline look?

Have a look at Whirling Turban, though pricey.

You need to look at www.getcutie.co.uk/! Gorgeous prints, cut to shapely figures.

Sorry the ! Was added to the url, link is www.getcutie.co.uk/

I don't live in the UK but my go to retro website is www.topvintage.nl

Could give you some mores ideas for brand/style (most are imported from the UK or US anyway).

This is very Joan. Other colours available too.

Sorry - just noticed I was over budget. I like the limb dress, but I would say (owning a few of them) that the fabric is a medium weight cotton, and a bit less dressy because of it.

I actually have that dress and it is stunning, really fab fit, good cleavage and i got loads of compliments when wearing it... I am a size 14 apple at present and it actually gives me a shape so would be fab on an hourglass figure :)

Collectif

Sorted :)
www.collectif.co.uk/