Can anyone help me find a 60s style dress that won't feel like fancy dress?

[FeelingIrie]

Hello,

I have a friend's 40th coming up, he's very into 60s music and style, and the party has a 60s theme. I obviously want to nod to the theme but don't have time to scour the charity shops and nor do I want to look too fancy dress - I have recently had a baby and don't get out much, so I would like to look halfway decent! Plus would like to be able to wear the dress again if possible. I plan to get my hair beehived and get some flicky eyeliner on the scene so that will help with the look.

I am a size 12 although verging on a 14 at the mo due to baby weight. Average height, small boobs, bigger bottom half - classic pear really. Not exactly Twiggy....! Legs are not my best point which is a shame for many reasons so no mini mini dresses please! I need something just above the knee really or its not a pretty sight. I can wear most colours (I think!)

Has anyone seen anything on the high street/online that might fit the bill? I am struggling... Some S&B help is desperately needed! Funds are tight - I can't really go above £50.

Thanks in advance.

Primark have a lot of patterned dresses with white peter pan collars. They look 60s ish. They are above the knee but I wear leggings and boots with mine.

Go to Boden Clearance section. They cut for pear shapes and they have a lot of sixties inspired designs.

Thanks both.

Minge, just had a brief look at Boden, will check again when DD is asleep but great call - something like this would be perfect, I really like it:

www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Clearance/Womens-Dresses/Petite-Dresses/WH663/Womens-Retro-Pocket-Dress.html?NavGroupID=4

However they only have it in petite length and I am 5 ft 5. Wondering if it's worth a try, any thoughts/experience re fit? I've never bought anything from Boden.

Dorothy Perkins

If you have dark hair, you could go as my heroine Emma Peel? Very easy to do:

Black trousers (so leg issues avoided)
Black polo neck
Hair flicked up at ends
Kick-ass attitude
Gun (optional)

Or if you have fair hair, the Honor Blackman incarnation was also fabulous, if not quite as iconic. Or you can probably buy an Emma Peel wig pretty cheaply in party shops.

Regarding Boden, I've not bought anything for some time but I've never found their stuff to be ultra short (although at 5'3", few things are.)

I am dark, Flo, and I love your suggestion! Bloody brilliant.

The Boden suggestion was good, just done an order. The dresses have the required 60s vibe but wearable in normal life. As well as the dress above have ordered this one in stripey and orange:

www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Clearance/Womens-Petite-Range/WH645/Womens-Sixties-Ponte-Dress.html

Hopefully something will look halfway decent. Not feeling my best post-baby. I've never been supremely body confident but you really don't know what you had til its gone!

Thanks ladies for all your help.

I hope you find something and I bet you look way better than you think!

The Biden dress is nice. A classic sleeveless A line would do the job well.