New Dress - advice wanted!

Subject: New Dress - advice wanted! Wed Dec 19, 2007 6:07 pm

Okay... the new physio (the Sainted Ali) is reducing the pain so mcuh that it looks highly likely that I shall be splint-free for New Year. What a start to 2008 - naked arms!!!

My birthday being in the early days of January and on a Saturday, I have decided to make myself a New Frock to celebrate my armorial nudity ;-)

The basic shape will probably be like this: http://www.dollydagger.co.uk/products.asp?cat=20&gclid=CNyHrfTgtJACFQlEEAod4T0PIA
See? NO SLEEVES!!!!!

Now then, girls... this is where I need you!

I have peep-toe red&black leopard-print satin 3"-heel shoes (not for nothing are they termed the S of SS: shoes of supreme silliness). And I like red and black together. And I have darkish hair and paleish skin.

So... I'm just not sure I'm a large-scale polka-dot kinda gal. I love them but I have very broad shoulders and am tall and not really remotely petite, so... they're out as a fabric.
What I wondered was: if I make this dress in plain black, it would look too severe, in my opinion, BUT how do you think it would look if I jazzed it up by adding layered tulle petticoats of black tulle edged with narrow red satin binding, the occasional red tulle layer AND adding some touched of red on the dress? Would a wide scarlet waist-cinch belt look too over-the-top? (I have no real waist, being about 42, 37, 41)
I have a late 40s pattern for a belt that is wide at the front and back, lacing up the front, heavily boned, and narrowing at the sides a little. Perhaps 3" at the sides and 5-6" at the front and back, shaped in points up and down. Oh you know the kinda thing I mean (I hope!)

Anyway, what do you girls think?

Black halterneck dress with fitted bodice and circular skirt; black petticoats in tulle with red edging; black seamed stockings; dark red and black peeptoe heels; some kind of little cardigan (think I have an appropriate one).

Hair... waist-length, no fringe... up in highponytail or all loose, side parting and held back with diamante clip?

Red lisptick, naturally!

And I'm starting now to body-brush my arms and shoulders morning and night and apply moisturiser!!!

The thing is... it's not all that dressy a place so I don't really want to turn up looking liek Dita vonTeese... I want to hit that narrow line of looking fantastic but not tarty or vampy... just gorgeous but still with style and class!

HEEEELP!!!!!!! ;-)

laura

Subject: Re: New Dress - advice wanted! Wed Dec 19, 2007 6:08 pm

Replying to myself... a black belt would look better, less vampy, yes? Maybe a black belt laced up with red ribbons and red ribbons in my hair?

laura

Subject: Re: New Dress - advice wanted! Wed Dec 19, 2007 8:21 pm

Hello Laura Elsewhere!

I just love that dress silhouette....so classic flirty and feminine. I SWEAR---you are my alter-ego overseas....I think we must look a lot alike and have similar tastes. I also really enjoy that fifties look, but (being pale w/long dark hair) am frequently trying to avoid the Dita/AmyWinehouse look. Boy, it IS a fine line between fifties and all-out tart.
Anyhoo---I really like the idea of the crinoline/petticoat with an alternate peek of red. Maybe even white with red? The belt sounds lovely, and helps carve out a waist.

Could you 'soften' it a bit with a sweetish sort of applique or accessories? I have an all-black dress of similar style that has a black petticoat, but my favorite part is a trail of pastel embroidered flowers up one side. You probably want to use a bit of red, so how about a chirpy little cardinal applique, maybe some poppies? Just some ideas. Also, the fuzzier and more lady-like the cardigan, the better, in my opinion. Good luck with 'dressing up'--what a fun way to ring in your birthday with the new year. So FUN to get all dolled up. Let us know what you end up doing.

OohLaLaura

Subject: Re: New Dress - advice wanted! Wed Dec 19, 2007 8:46 pm

Do you know, I thought it would be you who answered, OhhLaLaura, and I totally agree about the alter-ego thing!!! ;-)

Hmmm... I never did the whole 50s applique thing, but that's partly because I don't like the saucepans-with-faces/ poodle type stuff... I hadn't thought about poppies...

I don't want to make it too time-consuming to make as my arms are still "in training" for being properly working again - for future use it would look great with a wrap-around skirt with the 'open' edge being a great curve from hem at one side to waist with a trail of flowers... maybe a summer version in pretty pastels?

It's put thoughts into my head though so thanks!

laura

Subject: Re: New Dress - advice wanted! Wed Dec 19, 2007 10:34 pm

I love it! I think plain black with the red trim would be very cute. You know, you could always find a large red belt to add to it for some occasions, or perhaps a cherry brooch to add somewhere too.

I like your idea very much and I think it will be flattering. Laura's right - a fuzzy cardigan would look adorable.

Subject: Re: New Dress - advice wanted! Wed Dec 19, 2007 10:35 pm

Could you do a french twist or something similar to that with your hair?

Subject: Re: New Dress - advice wanted! Wed Dec 19, 2007 11:49 pm

The cardigan I'm thinking of is a black wrap-around in soft fluffy mohair, so ideal!

karlanee, it would look gorgeous with a French plait or chignon style, really Grace Kelly! but I think it would make it look too formal... it would just be for in an ordinary pub - normally the guys are in jeans and t-shirts, or perhaps jeans and a pressed shirt worn untucked; girls are in anything from jeans and a t-shirt to totally glammed-up 19-yr-olds in glittery mini-skirts and boob-tubes and near-retirement office-workers in their work trousers and comfy flat shoes with a glittery batwing top and four times as mcuh make-up as usual ;-)

I normally wear a dark skirt and dark top with a wrap-around cotton cardigan... so I don't want to go startling the new man! ;-)

Maybe a ponytail with red ribbons? Kinda playful but cute with it? And away from the Dita von Teese aspects...

laura

Subject: Re: New Dress - advice wanted! Thu Dec 20, 2007 5:09 am

Laura - oh that makes sense then. Yes, I think a high pony tail with a red ribbon - and be sure to curl under the end of the pony tail to give it that "vintage" look.

You do realize that because we've helped you out with advice, we will demand payment in way of photos!!

Subject: Re: New Dress - advice wanted! Thu Dec 20, 2007 7:45 am

Your dress idea sound great! My take on it, would be no red piping on the tulle, and a red belt. Together with the red in the shoes, lipstick and the ribbon in your pony-tail (yes, do that one!), I think it could be too much red - as if your outfit had the measles. But I second the cherry brooch! Cherries are always cute!
But what´s wrong with Dita? I love how she looks and dresses!

Subject: Re: New Dress - advice wanted! Thu Dec 20, 2007 3:23 pm

We should all be so lucky to look like Dita von Teese! She's a class act. I think your ensemble sounds fabulous. Black dress, wide red belt and a red clutch. Don't forget the party feet gel thingys for your shoes, especially if your planning to dance the night away!
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Subject: Re: New Dress - advice wanted! Fri Dec 21, 2007 12:18 am

Oh I so agree!!

Subject: Re: New Dress - advice wanted! Fri Dec 21, 2007 3:23 am

Dita von Teese looks great - FOR a dressy occasion - but this will be a night where the women are badly over-dressed and the guys are mostly in jeans and t-shirts... so it's the fine line that OohLaLaura referred to, between being totally over-the-top vamp seductress and tarty, or looking just plain damn good... I'm kinda hoping for the latter!!!

Yes there WILL be photos, of course, for my dear Wardrobe Advisors!

laura

Subject: Re: New Dress - advice wanted! Fri Dec 21, 2007 10:10 am

Bugger what everyone else is wearing, regardless of gender. You wear what you feel special in!
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Subject: Re: New Dress - advice wanted! Sat Dec 22, 2007 10:19 pm

Postpone the Frock Plans, folks!

the Sainted Physio sez: "don't be daft, girl!" [verbatim quote!]

So, no dressmaking for a little while. I'll find something already in my wardrobe that lets me wave my arms around happily on january 5th, which I'm now calling Splint Retirement Day as well as my birthday!

I'll make the 50s halterneck swirly-skirted frock one day though now that I've thought of it!
Thanks for the advice!
laura

Subject: Re: New Dress - advice wanted! Tue Dec 25, 2007 4:40 am

I hadn't thought of that, but I'm so glad you are following that advice wisely! Good thinking. I'm sure you'll look lovely in whatever you wear.