Anybody dress in a 50s style?

[Millionsofstickers]

I'm talking flared dresses mainly. Where do you buy them from? I bought a dress in that sort of shape recently, and I love it, but there weren't any others where I got it from. I've seen a few websites, but are there any you can recommend particularly? Or any shops that might stock this kind of thing? I'm in London, so if anybody knows anywhere there, brilliant. I've got a big family do coming up soon, and I want to feel good in what I'm wearing.

This is the kind of dress I'm talking about
prettykittyfashion.co.uk/collections/dresses/products/pretty-kitty-turquoise-floral-rockabilly-50s-swing-dress

[MrsSpenserGregson]

@MontyPythonsFlyingFuck (love your name!) no they don't do different dress lengths, tall/petite etc and they do tend to be very high-waisted unfortunately. I'm only 5' 4" and the waistbands are mostly too high on me (long body, short legs). Maybe you'd be better off with vintage-style circle skirts instead of dresses? Length-wise, a repro day dress is never going to finish below the knee on someone your height . I'd advise finding a decent vintage pattern and a dressmaker and getting things cut to fit your own body shape.

As for Collectif trousers, don't get me started. Their sizing is bonkers and varies massively between different styles. That said, it should only cost about £10 to have them shortened (we also do alterations) - although we aren't in London and I suspect prices would be higher there.

House of Foxy do great trousers with 32" inside legs AND a further 2" of hem; they also do some of their trousers styles in custom lengths so it's worth checking them out.

[MontyPythonsFlyingFuck]

PS and to OP: Both Collectif and LadyV cotton dresses wash and iron like a dream, as they are made from fairly heavy satiny cotton. LadyV slightly higher quality fabric, IMO.

[bingohandjob]

Collectif and Joanie

[MontyPythonsFlyingFuck]

I would also love to know (looking at MrsSG here I guess) if any of the brands do things cut for tall people? I have several LadyV (Hepburn) and Collectif (Dolores) dresses, and I love them, but the waist on all of them is halfway up my ribcage, and the hem is barely on the knee (I'm 5'11", which would have made me a giantess - or a Mitford Girl- in the 50s).

Conversely, I have two pairs of the ultra-wide Collectif trousers and they're actually too long without heels! So maybe I'm just quite long-waisted? Though as my inside leg is 35" I doubt that...

[ChickenBhuna]

I love Dig for victory , they are online and also Brighton based.

Also don't dismiss good old Dorothy Perkins for more casual and cheaper work wear with that flared skirted style.

[MrsSpenserGregson]

Collectif have several shops in London. Vivien of Holloway is a shop near Holloway Road tube.

Or - my preference - for original 1950s beautiful vintage dresses, go to Blackout II in Covent Garden, or there are a couple of fab shops in Camden Passage in Islington too

PM me if you'd like to know where my shop is - I don't think I'm allowed to big it up publicly on here!

[MrsSpenserGregson]

I sell vintage-style clothing for a living

Brands to try:
Hearts & Roses (these come up small more often than not)
Collectif
** Vivien of Holloway
** Lady V London
Lindy Bop
Voodoo Vixen
Hell Bunny
Emily and Fin if you want something a bit less pin-up and a bit more "grown up" for want of a better phrase
Sixton London (ditto)
** House of Foxy if you want a real treat (or their cheaper spinoff Pretty Retro is also nice for vintage-style basics)

** denotes Made in the UK / Europe

[RockinHippy]

Vivienne of Holloway makes some lovely stuff

[Ollivander84]

Most are OK for bust sizing. Lady V Lyra is one to size down in and so is collectif dolores doll

[Millionsofstickers]

They look good, thanks.

Any tips on sizing for any of these brands? I'm a 12 on average, but a bit big up top!

[Ollivander84]

I wear a lot of collectif and lady v London and pin up girl clothing (but that's more £££)

[Chaby]

Have a look at Lindybop or Elsie's attic