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What decade do you think of when you see this dress?

44 replies

Shockers · 10/02/2019 21:08

Hi, I’m going to a 50s inspired ball but I don’t really want the full skirted look. I think this dress is probably more 40s, but what decade would you think of if you saw someone wearing it?

What decade do you think of when you see this dress?
OP posts:
NottonightJosepheen · 10/02/2019 21:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

fruitbrewhaha · 10/02/2019 21:48

There are loads of 50s style dresses on that site.

Pencil skirts were 50s, there are lots of straight skirted dresses some in velvet with off the shoulder.

Google Mrs Maisel for inspiration. That was set in the ate 50s tons of beautiful outfit ideas, including capri trousers and shorts.

Bipbopbee · 10/02/2019 21:58

Sounds gorgeous AnyFucker

sycamore54321 · 11/02/2019 03:12

You are definitely over-thinking this. If I saw any vaguely vintage-looking dress on a person at an event entitled “50s ball”, I’d think 50s. If you like it, wear it. I doubt the organizers will be so strict as to kick you out for slight factual inaccuracy.

Shockers · 11/02/2019 14:08

I didn’t think they would sycamore Grin.

Especially as my friend is organising it!

OP posts:
sycamore54321 · 11/02/2019 20:03

Gosh. I didn’t mean to sound quite so snippy, apologies! It’s a lovely dress, you obviously like it, so an approximate fit with the theme using a dress you actually like and might wear again is what I’d go for. Sounds like fun!

OlennasWimple · 11/02/2019 20:09

Another one who says to go for it.

It's not like trying to wear neon leg warmers to a 70s party or a flapper dress to a WW2 event. It's entirely appropriate - most women in the early 1950s would still have plenty of clothes from the 1940s in their wardrobe, after all

OlennasWimple · 11/02/2019 20:10

I meant to say - you could tailor your make up more towards the 1950s, instead. There are lots of great sites and youtube channels with tutorials, like this one, to give you some hints and tips

MrsMoastyToasty · 11/02/2019 20:12

You could wear go for the sweater girl image. Jumper and pencil skirt with high heels or Capri pants and twin-set.

Phoebesgift · 11/02/2019 20:23

1940's. It's lovely.

MitziK · 11/02/2019 20:25

I think the waistline is too high to pass for anything but 40s inspired (it is lovely, though).

To have a true 50s/New Look style, even if you eschew the full net petticoat, you need a dress structured, with the waistline falling on your natural waist chokes back the jealousy of somebody actually having a waist.

It's up to you whether you like the halter neck or sweetheart line, you can have mid length sleeves, but my mother got married in the 50s as a 17 year old and was the height of fashion in a light blue polka dotted, halter neck dress with a full, circle skirt (no net as it was too expensive, a white belt to emphasise her waist before it got eradicated by five children and flat ballet pumps for dancing.

She had a fur wrap lent to her by my grandmother, her hair was curled and put up loosely so it appeared much shorter than it was naturally and a small, white clutch bag.

Her aunts wore dresses more like your one.

Going through her wardrobe, every skirt and dress was full with a structured waistband falling on her natural waist. The alternative fifties wiggle skirt/blouse/etc was more towards the end of the 50s and associated with the slightly more 'forward' woman, IYSWIM. It's also a hell of a lot more restrictive if you're as fat as me you like to move around (although there are some lovely stretchy tops that would fit perfectly well with that style).

Knittedfairies · 11/02/2019 20:29

I suspect there were quite a few women in the 1950's turning up to a do in a dress a few years old. It's a beautiful 'frock' OP.

MargotLovedTom1 · 11/02/2019 20:29

Those wiggle dresses blueuggboots linked for you are great - very 50s without the net underskirts.

wishingforalotterywin · 11/02/2019 20:52

Yep 40s definitely

Gorgeous dress but not 50s...

You want a wiggle or a wide skirt/narrow waist type

Surely something 50s available on eBay?

ShopoholicIn · 12/02/2019 11:50

Lovely dress op. that's the link if anyone is interested
lux-fix.com/shop/valeria-moth-pink-dress-by-nancy-mac

Shockers · 12/02/2019 12:28

Sorry I haven’t replied- DD is in hospital.

I don’t think I’d get away with a wiggle dress- I’m too lumpy!

OP posts:
avmf · 12/02/2019 21:34

Hello!
I’m one of the founders of LUX FIX, just spotted this post and so happy you found a dress you love on our website!
Here’s the link to the dress
lux-fix.com/shop/valeria-moth-pink-dress-by-nancy-mac
It’s actually in the sale at the moment 😉
Alice xx

WillowG · 12/02/2019 21:43

Very 1940s but I would use an underskirt to give it a 50s shape.

Shockers · 13/02/2019 07:24

Thanks Alice (@avmf) ! There are so many beautiful things on your site- I have registered now and I’m really glad I discovered it!

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