Monday 27 August 2012

Bank Holiday Monday

It's Bank Holiday Monday and, of course, it's raining, heavily. We have come to expect it so have stayed tucked up in the comfort of home. Far too wet to work in the garden but I'm in my old kick- about clothes because the dog  still needs her walk, whatever the weather.
I'm wearing a pink linen blouse from Boden that has a frill down either side of the front buttons, very old Gap crops that were once navy, a ballet cardi from Monsoon and suede flats that were made for me about thirty years ago and which hopefully will never wear out.
But my watch is brand new!
 I wanted something cheap and cheerful to wear whilst working in the garden. £15 from Casio and it has a face large enough for me to read without putting on my glasses.  I love the colour lilac, and that is the 'cheerful' bit.
For Patti's Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style.

At the 'Dig for Victory' event last weekend I bought a fifties vintage dress. It wasn't cheap, quite the reverse. It isn't in particularly good condition. There are holes in the skirt, a tear, patched, in the bodice, and the metal beneath the covered buttons has rusted through. I wasn't going to buy it. The stall holder at 'Cock-a-Doodle Vintage' said it's a lovely dress but very small in the waist. My friend Janet told me to try it on. "Not if I can't get into it, I said. The waist of the dress was measured, I was measured. The fabric is unforgiving, some sort of gingham taffeta that doesn't give an inch. If I gain that inch the dress will no longer fit!
So why did I buy it?
It is the Dior 'New Look' style from the late forties, early fifties that I remember my mother loved, dresses with a neat waist and, after years of rationing, a very full skirt. I love this style, so utterly feminine.

Velvet coat, 1955

The cut of my dress is clever,

with a triangular design repeated on the cuffs, pockets and bodice.

And it works very well with my £8 vintage hat!


Which can be worn at a rakish angle thanks to a piece of elastic.
Now all I need is a wedding invitation!

14 comments:

  1. You fifties dress is divine, Rosemary! I've always loved the details on this era's dresses, the tiny waists and big skirts. You look grand, and thanks so much for sharing with Visible Monday!

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    1. Dear Patti, it's always a pleasure to join you at Visible Monday. The thing is that for me it is often Invisible Mondays as that is my day for grubbing about in the garden or having a catch-up after the weekend. I do enjoy seeing what everyone else is wearing. Some of your regulars are an inspiration. I had the Style Crone in mind when I bought my hat!

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  2. Rosemary, You are absolutely lovely. You have an ageless sense of style. And the hat...divine!

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    1. Oh, thank you, Bonnie - I made an effort for the camera! (And deleted the shockers.)

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  3. Actually I think both your ensembles are kick-a$$. Totally different eras maybe, but equally excellent looking on you.

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    1. Pao - "kick-ass." I say, not in a fifties dress!
      But thank you. :-)

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  4. Stunning dress! I'm glad you included the garden shot so I could see the details. The hat is perfect with it. A bonus is the memory of your mother's fondness for this kind of dress.

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    1. Hi Melanie. I LOVE how you look with white hair, but perhaps I'm a bit biased! (Memo to self, get to the hairdressers and have my eyebrows dyed.)
      I haven't forgotten that you've 'Liebstered me, I'll get down to it sometime soon.

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  5. I love your blog, your dress, your hair, and the beautiful hat worn at a rakish angle. I too enjoy the styles from the late 40's and early 50's. The details are always so interesting!

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    1. Although a simple dress, the darting of the bodice is clever, cut to flatter the female form. I thought of you when I bought the hat - you gave me permission to make the purchase!

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  6. That dress! The NEW LOOK! Be still my heart. I love that style, I would have purchased it too. I could always skip some meals to get into it. :-)

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  7. And I may have to skip some meals in order to stay in it!

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  8. Hello! What a wonderful dress - enjoy wearing it and accepting the compliments.

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    1. And hello to you! I love the theme of your blog, it will tempt me to return a quote. I want to follow you but can't see where to join.

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