Do's and Don'ts of a Black Tie Affair

With December quickly approaching, there might be a number of social gatherings encircled on your calendar. While you might have easily secured a vintage get up for your staff dinner of say...20 people, the other event is a black tie affair and you might be busting your brain as to what to wear to this black tie event and still incorporate this vintage themed style of dress.

Black tie affair

Well let us first understand the meaning of the term Black Tie. Put simply, it is a fancy affair of which men are required to wear a tuxedo. This social function usually starts at 6 pm,  but it is no hard and fast rule, because some black tie weddings kick off at 3 in the afternoon. Now while the expression black tie applies mainly to men, a woman should also know what attire is considered appropriate under this code.

Full length gown

Do I have to wear a gown? 

 Usually floor length gowns are worn for black tie gatherings, but in 2015 there are some exceptions to the rules. If you don't own a gown and cannot afford to purchase one then it is quite acceptable to wear a cocktail dress. Keep in mind though that if you are going to use a cocktail dress, the colour should be rich and classy, so as not to appear casual. You can never go wrong in black, but if that fails, you can opt for  metallics, jewel tones and browns.

 Satin cocktail dress

On the other hand, lighter shades can be worn with  a full length gown as it is naturally dressy. Another option for a black tie affairs are chic separates; such as a silk blouse with a full satin skirt.

Vintage chic separates

If you choose to wear a cocktail dress, just ensure that the hemline is not overly short or the style isn’t too revealing. Also keep in mind that your cocktail dress must stand up along a room full of tuxedo wearing men and women in their dressy full length gowns.
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Can I wear Red?

Traditionally, red was thought to be overly sexy and attention grabbing, which clearly shows that that rule was established during a more conservative  time period. However in this era there are thousands of high fashioned red dresses that are perfect for formal gatherings. Just be sure to stay away from the RED  unflattering, tight, spandex dresses with the low cleavage dress or any colour for that matter! Needless to say that it is highly inappropriate. According to Style Caster, " Choose red gowns that are made from rich silky fabrics like chiffon or organza, as opposed to shiny satin or anything too stretchy, and always keep embellishments to a minimum."

Red satin gown

Can I Wear White to a Wedding?

There are differing views on this but to be safe and to avoid upsetting the bride, save your pretty white dress for an other occasion. It might appear to many that you are trying to steal the bride's attention.


                         

If it's not your day, ditch the white dress

There you have it dolls, I hope this blog was useful. Feel free to leave a comment in the box below.

 

DIY Vintage Hairstyles

Hi dolls! As the end of the year is drawing near, you might have galas to attend. Keeping that in mind, I have included some simple do it yourself, beginners, vintage hairstyles to complement your vintage dress. These hairdos apply to all hair type. Women of colour with permed or heat-stretched hair can pull off the same look as Caucasian women. You might get a slightly different look depending on your hair length.  However, if your hair is all natural, and you are 100% opposed to applying heat to your hair, like myself,  I have included styles for the natural sisters as well.  Check out my video and let me know what you think by posting your comments in the box below.

Vintage Inspired Wedding Dresses With a Purpose

The styles of wedding dresses are sweeping and varies from bride to bride, but what I have noticed as a common and recurring pattern is the bustier.  While I am not in any way opposed to this look as it is quite stunning; once well-fitting of course,  I think that the place in which it is worn can make it inappropriate. I cannot recall how many times I have seen beautiful brides ambling down the isles with plunging necklines; muffin top cleavage and daring scooped backs dresses.  You can almost hear the gasps and murmurs of the staunch Christian ladies in between the wedding march hymn ( Here Comes the Bride). This is also distracting to the pastor/priest/elder.

Admittedly some brides try to look modest by covering up with a bolero but it sometimes takes away from the aesthetics of the bridal dress.  It looks like an afterthought that clashes with the dress.
So how do you wear a wedding dress without exposing too much and at the same time not look frumpy? Well I came across some vintage inspired wedding dresses that are appropriate for the chapel. Check it out and feel free to comment in the box down below.

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 This fit and flare lace dress looks classy and sexy and at the same time quite moderate.

A  glamorous lace  dress that covers the shoulders. It looks timeless and stylish and it also replaces the need for a boring bolero.

 

 This is a bustier type dress, but the sheer fabric adds some classiness to it, which does not overly expose the flesh.

Front

Back

 Here is another bustier type dress, but this has more coverage from front to back with the line pattern of this sheer fabric.  

If you are not overly fond of sheer and lace this dress might be perfect for you. Capped sleeves and embellished neck and waist lines might be all you need to be a vintage bride.

Straight out of a vintage story-tale.  The minimal sheer, from front to back, provides a very classy finish. If you don't mind showing off  a little skin but love to sweep the floor with your cascading dress, then this wedding dress might be for you.

This dress does have a bustier finish but not only is it covered in lace; the vintage collar masks the cleavage which makes this wedding dress appropriate for the church.

This fishtail dress shows off a bride's curves but does not expose her assets. The lace finish to the top along with the floral embellishment makes this dress simply beautiful.


Hope you enjoyed dolls. In my next blog-post I will share with you some 50s hairstyles that goes along with these dresses. Stay tuned and thanks for viewing!






These images were taken from Classy Tatiana Kaplun Bridal Collection 2015 and  House of Mookshki.

Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle

Marylin Monroe in a wiggle dress

Wiggle skirts were banging in the 1950s and 60s. It was so called because  the hem of the dress or skirt was narrower than the hips which automatically made a woman wiggle when she walked. When I think of wiggle dresses Marilyn Monroe comes to mind. It was one of her signature looks.Today the wiggle dress is still very much apart of our fashion trend, but it goes by the name pencil skirts or pencil dresses. Dita Von Teese is the modern day vintage queen and she wears this style flawlessly.

Dita Von Teese

Wiggle skirts/dresses are perfect for women with curves, namely the pear shaped and hour glass shaped women. With the end of the year drawing close there are so many functions to attend and you might be thinking of rocking something that is close-fitting.

Wiggle/Pencil skirt

However you might feel intimidated by this style because it highlights a woman's nightmare: cellulite, lumpy hips, bumpy thighs, pouch etc. This feeling is quite understandable, but with the right under garments you can totally pull off this look.

Curvy woman looks flawless in wiggle skirt

 I will include a list of foundation garments that can be worn with any type of dress, including the wiggle dress/skirt. I know this might sound like granny panties but how do you think these Hollywood stars of yesteryear looked so flawless? Say it with me ladies, 'Power to the granny panties'!!!

 5 Dress Solving Items that Every Woman Should Own:

1.  A fitted light control slip -  perfectly suited for wiggle dresses and skirts

Control slip- light

2. High waist cinched panties - ideal for circle and full skirts that have a high waist.

High waist cincher

3. A light half slip - suited for dresses and skirts worn with tights or stockings to prevent it from sticking.

Half slip- light

4. A strapless long line bra or basque - this gives far better results than a strapless bra which often shows up your fatty rolls at the back of the bra. The basque will give a smother line and cinch the waist. Also it is perfect for the low back dresses.

Strapless long lone bra

Basque

5. A girdle - Yes it is very old fashion, but it holds perfectly, thus hiding the bulging areas.  Most girdles possess suspenders which are worn over your normal panties. In the bygone days vintage dresses were made when everyone wore girdles which explains why ladies of that era looked perfectly tucked. These are ideal for hooking stockings and gives a more authentic vintage look.

A classic girdle

If you are going for that cliché look with your wiggle dress/ skirt, then get that 50s hairdo and rock those ruby red matte lips. If not, you can wear some ankle boots and modern accessories. Note: If your heels are too high you might experience difficulty walking in this outfit. Keep it simple and practice walking in it before you leave the house.  

2 Influential Vintage Designers

For the average working woman designer wear is un-affordable. However we cannot have a  vintage blog without discussing some of the designers who have paved the way for other designers and whose designs are timeless and still popular today.

1. Coco Chanel

 

French designer Coco Chanel

Gabrielle Bonheur "Coco" Chanel, born 19th December 1883, in Samur France; was credited for liberating women from the restrictive corseted silhouettes through the designs of her trademark suits and little black dresses. Chanel was raised in the Aubazine orphanage where she was taught to sew.

Coco Chanel trademark suit

Coco Chanel LBD worn by Audrey Hepburn

In 1910 she opened her first clothing shop. In 1920 she launched her first perfume then introduced the world to the Chanel suit and the little black dress, which is a staple in every woman's closet today. While Chanel is known as a prolific fashion designer, her creative designs were first recognized in jewellery, handbags and fragrance.

Coco Chanel handbag with hot shorts

 Her signature scent Coco Chanel No. 5 has become an iconic fragrance.

Chanel No 5 Ad in the late 1970s

 On  Time Magazine's 100 most influential persons of the 20th century, Chanel is the only fashion designer to be listed.

Coco Chanel puts her finishing touches on that LBD

2. Christian Dior

World famous designer of the 1950s, Christian Dior

Legendary fashion designer Christian Dior, born 21st January, 1905 in Normandy, France was renowned for his revolutionary post world word II designs. During the war years there was fabric rationing, which simplified fashion into a subtle and almost boring look.

World War II fashion minimalist fashion trends

 However,  Dior's designs were quite the opposite. His creations represented opulence. Dior tapered and sloped the shoulders,  tucked the waistlines and produced incredibly full skirts.

Christian Dior 1950s design

 During the 1950s Christian Dior was indisputably the most famous fashion designer in the world. Dior died in 1957 of a heart attack, but his work lives on.

Modern Christian Dior trademark design

How to Tie a Vintage Headscarf

Head scarfs are so convenient for those lazy hair days and lately I have been experiencing a lot of those. I have been rocking the 1950s vintage housewife head tie more than ever to: go to school, christian meetings, shopping and just plain old hanging out. This style is not just restricted to vintage fashion. It is quite versatile and can compliment almost any look including the bohemian style. I would also recommend this if you are wearing a vintage bathing suit. If you don't want to get your hair wet; instead of using a regular bandanna try these simple steps. It will not only scream vintage but you will turn some heads at the beach as well.


So are you ready dolls? Let's get started.

Prepping the Hair

If your hair is long or shoulder length you will need to pin it up, ideally into a neat French roll. Avoid rolling your hair into a bun or sweeping your hair into a pony tail, as it would create a bulge.

Head Scarf

You will need a square scarf.  The bigger scarf will allow you to create a bow at the top, a smaller scarf will afford you a knot. It all depends on the look that you desire.

 

 Step 1

Fold your scarf diagonally, creating a triangular shape. Ensure that it is neatly done to get the best results. 

 

 Step 2

Place the scarf on your head. Hold the two longer sides and allow the shorter side or tip of the triangle to fall downward. 

 Step 3

Pull the longer pieces up over the ears and tie them together on the top of your head. Make sure that the hanging piece remains in place.

 Step 4

If you have a larger scarf, tie the ends into a bow. If the scarf is shorter, tie it into a knot. Ensure that the hanging part of the scarf, in front of the forehead, is still in place. 
 

Step 5

Take the hanging end; and neatly tuck it under the ends of the bow.  If the tails of the bow are too long, tuck them in as well. if you desire, feel free to fluff your bow to create fullness.

Step 6

There might be some points sticking out; don't panic! Simply tuck it in as well so as to create a smoother and neater look.

 Et Voila! 1950s Head tie

There you have it dolls the 1950s vintage house wife head tie. Practice makes it perfect, so don't give up. Try this wrap and let me know the outcome. Hit me up in the comment box below.  

 Pics and info compliments Mandi Johnson of babble.com