Outfit Post: Circle Skirts and a bit of 1950s history

I must confess, I've been building up a bit of courage to wear this ensemble as 1950s petticoats are not that common on my school run!

I picked up this circle skirt from Marina Retro and already had a Collectif petticoat so I thought the time had come to strut some funky 1950s stuff!

I already had this cute retro style cardigan from Matalan and my fantabulous Miss L Fire shoes, so I added a high ponytail, some little pearly studs and my cherry brooch (on sale in Outfit!). What do you think? Have I managed to channel a little Sandra Dee?

The circle skirt first made its way into mainstream fashion in the 1950s once fabric rations were lifted. As they are literally cut out of a single piece of fabric, they give a very dramatic shape. Petticoats were then used to accentuate the narrow waist and make a distinction between the waist and the full skirt.
Circle skirts were then made popular by the diva's of the day Marilyn Monroe, Katherine Hepburn and Jane Mansfield which brought them into the sight of the masses. Easy to make at home, the skirts took on all kinds of themes, prints and appliques and the styles were utilised by dress designers to create the halter neck dress with full circle skirt. I have to say, I feel incredibly feminine and glamorous in mine! Here's to Audrey! xXx

Audrey Hepburn in 'Roman Holiday' (Source)

Adventures in retro hair styling! Speedy vintage curls

Well, that's it! In order to fully leave behind this modern world with its throwaway mentality and lack of values to embrace the vintage lifestyle I've gone and done it... I've sold my straighteners! Oh yes- it's curls, curls, curls instead for me  now!

(Source)

I have kept the rockabilly fringe however because a) I love it as it's pretty distinctive (which is so very me!) and b) because, quite honestly, my face is getting a  little bit old to have my hair scraped off it!
I've been experimenting with curls now the length has improved as I don't really like the Bettie fringe with straight hair on me (sorry Fleur!) and have been lifting one side either in a twist or a full on victory roll!

I have a huge variety of flower clips and always wear one, I mean always!

Here are a few shots. See what I mean!

Neater clip up & twist

First attempt at a Victory Roll

I'm still improving on my victory roll technique but am pleased with my efforts so far!

Better Victory Roll (but poor photo- sorry!)

Hubby's birthday and my vintage tea dress from Norwich Market!

I've found a host of Vlogs and Blogs which have helped me trim my own bangs and attempt the victory rolls. Thanks must go to Lynsey of LeKeux events though for inspiring me that it was possible back in November when we visited her in preparation for my 40th birthday forties themed vintage tea party! Thanks also must go to my eldest daughter who is a pretty dab hand at most hair styles, encourages me to keep on trying (even though she has now perfected Victory rolls!) and who has *lent* me her tongs!!!

With 3 children and my own business, I've had to develop a cheats method to quick curls. It starts with my fringe which requires some styling help! I use a small pair of barrel tongs for this job.

Bowl or Bangs?!

My hair is pretty straight naturally so to make sure the curls stay in I use a variety of 'kit' and try to wash it the night before rather than the morning. I'm also a huge fan of kirby grips and where better than In Grips We Trust on Etsy for a delightful matchbox full of perfectly colour matched pins?!

Essentials: Pin tail comb, barrel brush and regular brush. Batiste Dry shampoo, lacquer and heat spray.

 Next, I clip up both sides so I can tong the underneath first.

Red lippy: Glam by no7

I then tong both under sides and the back, then release parts of the clipped sides and tong these too. It often looks a bit bizarre at this stage!!

Wild thing!

I then pin up one side and add a flower to match my outfit!

Not forgetting to lacquer of course!

And voila!

Trousers: Heyday! Blouse: Thrifted Cardi: Primark Flower: Dotty P's

Not too shabby for a cheats guide to vintage curls! If I can do it, anyone can!!!
  Happy Monday Folks!
                  x

Accessorizing, old style! The Dress Clip

I bought a beautiful floral vintage inspired dress last week and I wanted to alter the shape of the neckline. I remembered a clever little vintage invention which seems to have gone out of fashion these days; the dress clip.

Art deco 'Duette' £47 BraceletstoBuckles. Etsy.com

The Dress clip was used to hold back gathers of fabric or to add interest and detail to a dress. They were usually sold in pairs and many, when fastened together, formed a brooch (Duette). Clever huh?!
I wanted to achieve this effect with my floral dress so I came up with a few inspired ideas.

The dress is what I would call an Audrey style and can be worn slightly off the shoulder. I was trying to get from this (above) to more of a sweetheart neckline. I tried some clip on earrings in one of my local vintage shops but they didn't have a long enough back and promptly fell off (which is why authentic dress clips had little grippers on the back), so in leiu of real dress clips I tried a brooch or two...

TaDa!

The brooch proved a really good idea as I could hold all of the spare fabric tightly together. The only problem was that I don't have two brooches the same so I tried a different one on the other side.

 

This worked well visually, but the size of the brooch meant it kept poking me under the arm! I really need to find some proper dress clips, but it's a start!

It always amazes me how many clever and beautiful things things from yesteryear have got lost over time. I love being able to bring them back. Here's some vintage inspiration for you and a few rather glamorous and gorgeous dress clips I've spied recently on Etsy.

Wallis Simpson in dress clips (source)

1940s clips £24.87 Etsy.com

Filigree clips £5.89 Etsy.com

Grapes Clips £6.54 Etsy.com

Rectangular clips £9.16 Etsy.com

Makes you wonder what else our fashion paced, fast fashion modern world has forgotten about? Have a great Wednesday folks!
            x

Outfit Post: Heartbreaker, Freddies of Pinewood & Miss L Fire!

Quick outfit post this fab frock Friday! (Poor photo taken inside but you get the idea!)
Dress: Heartbreaker 'Aimee' in black polka dot. Cardigan: Freddies of Pinewood. Shoes: Miss L Fire velvetta.

Happy Friday Folks! Don't forget, it's Pop-In-And-Shop today and next Monday here at Redressing House. All the Redressing collections will be out and available to try before you buy from 10am-2pm. Why not pop in? The coffee is already on!.....

Have a great weekend
          x

Outfit Post: Collectif dress.

I just love the halterneck dress collection from Collectif! Actually, I now have 3 of their stunning dresses. This one I wore to a friends 30th birthday recently and the other two I'm saving for summer along with my new Vivien of Holloway purchase.

Birdcage Sindy Doll Dress by Collectif

Cute birdcage print

 I wore this one with my Miss L Fire black Dollie shoes but sadly I have lost one of the delightful shoe flowers... I think I may be able to replace them with hair flowers or even clip on earrings?!

Miss L Fire Dollie Shoes

 My intention is to get around to styling my hair in 50s waves to complete the look but for now here you go.

I love a good halter neck!

 I do hope you're rocking a dress this Wednesday!
                         x

Dresses to Impress- the A-Z of fab frocks and gorgeous gowns.... T is for Tea Dresses!

Have you noticed once the sun comes out ladies go for a dress?! Hooray! Tea dresses are todays topic of choice and what better dress to carry you through a seasonal transition like Winter into Spring and Spring into Summer?

Tara Starlet £85

So named beacuse of its aptness for being worn to afternoon tea, (minimum cleavage, maximum impact!) the tea dress comes in a variety of styles. Often tea dresses are patterned fabric in bright colours and are soft and feminine. The tea dresses of the 1940s would have been made from cotton or chiffon and the skirt would either be A-line or slightly full (fabric rations allowing). A demure V neck, often with ruching under the bust or delicate buttons and the padded shoulder detail is iconic of forties tea dresses. The dresses were designed to accentuate the waist so would often have a belt and  usually fell to just below the knee. Some had a collar, others front buttons.

Electricgypsy.co.uk £65

 The beauty of the tea dress is that's it is so very easy to wear. Comfortable yet slightly structured, a good tea dress will leave you feeling soft and feminine as you demurely eat your scone or hold your vintage china tea cup. There are lots of tea dresses around this Spring as they tend to suit almost everyone.

New Look

Edina Ronay

Warehouse

Vivien of Holloway

Something for every size, shape and budget!
Happy Tea Dress Wednesday
                           x

Outfit Post: Miss L Fire & Hearts and Roses

Oh I love my shoes! I couldn't resist picking these beauties up in the miss L Fire sale and so what better to pair then with than my gorgeous Hearts & Roses swing dress. I love wearing this combination together as the two pieces were clearly made for each other; hooray for some sunshine so I can step into Spring in Miss L Fire!

Dress: Hearts & Roses; Shoes: Miss L Fire red cherry bomb; Cardi: Primarni; Hair flower: surgically attached to my head!

Don't you just love these shoes?!

My family laugh at the fact they can hear me coming as the Cherries 'click-clack' together as you walk; so cool!

The dress is so easy to wash and wear and already has a net petticoat for added volume. I adore florals and this dress will take me through the seasons as it's so easy to layer up with tights or wear alone with sandals when the sunshine really starts to kick.

What are you wearing today?!  (I do hope it's a dress.)
                            x

Fab Frock Friday! Spring has Sprung!

March already! Wow!
To celebrate the imminent arrival of Spring have a look at these spring vintage inspired beauties....

1940s tea dress £56 Electric Gypsy

Heartbreaker Aimee Dress £45 Cherry Retro

Heyday Mary Dress £65 Heyday Vintage Style

Lady K Loves swing dress £45 Lady K Loves

Lindy Bop shirt tea dress £38 Vintage Twists

Regina White Hibiscus Dress £52 Collectif

Shake It Rockabilly leopard dress £36 Retro Vixens

Floral Sweetheart Dress £85 Tara Starlet

Gorgeous- just like you!
              x