Day "off" outfit

While I normally do wear pinup clothing and dress in a vintage style. Someday so just don't want/have time to go all out. So I have a few items I mix into modern styles that still leave me with an all over pinup look and more importantly are figure flattering 

Firstly I can't stress enough a cropped jacket. Either tight on the natural waist to enhance curves, or loose and cut above the natural waist to show it off. 

I added WWII combat boots, jeans from the GAP and a peach v-neck sweater from forever 21. 

I tend to swing from 1940s bombshell to 12 year old boy in my style, so finding a happy medium is tough. 

The Dangers of Wrap Dresses

I managed to find the holy grail of dresses at a thrift store in Miami while meeting my future in laws. 1950s blue cotton ombré circle skirt wrap dress with over sized collar. I held it up to my waist and bought it for the hefty sum of $5! 

Of course at that price I didn't bother even trying it on. Whether it fit or not, it was gonna be mine or I was gonna sell it. 

And now I should add while these new photos do flatter me, I find the dress far too revealing. 

This is an unfortunate fault of the wrap dress. If you have an hourglass figure finding a wrap dress that fits your waist without making you look bulky, means you will probably be showing a lot of chest. 

I've found wrap dresses with sleeves, short or long, are far more forgiving in the top. The best fit of any vintage wrap dress comes from the queen of course. Diane von Furstenberg, who is credited with the invention of the wrap dress is known for constructing most of the dress out of stretch materials. The down side is the patterns on the material. For me at least they are far too busy to wear on a regular basis. 

Currently I'm in love with this dress from ASOS. 

It also comes in navy 

While most purist will wear nothing but vintage, I see no harm in wearing something that gives the apparence of vintage with a modern twist. Vintage clothing especially from the 50s is insanely flattering on curves, you just have to know where to find such dresses that work for everyday wear 

Why belted jackets are your friend

Example one- no shape, hides all curves 

Example two- highlights a nipped waist and curves. Creates waist if there is little definition present. 

Both are vintage jackets

Not all vintage is created the same 

A vintage wool Pendleton 

A vintage velvet swing coat 

Example three- While it fits my shoulders, chest and waist- the loose box style of the 60s is very unflattering to an hourglasses shape and often into too tight in either/both of the chest or bottom

Example four- wraps over curves without squishing or disguising 

The 60s was the starting point of the decline of the hourglass figures fame. The 1950s New Look made the hourglass all the rage, but the tide changed once again to thin with no curves, which reached the limit during the heroin chic model era. 

The cost on the left is a 60s wool and the coat on the left is an early 70s wool coat. Now normally I stay away from the 70s due to the unpolished look that was prevalent. But with a little black dress and some heels this vintage find is definitely a keeper 

The Doris Top

While my man professed to love me in the Pinup Girl Clothing Doris Top. It was a no go. It's not my first rodeo, I followed that size chart like a meth addict looking for some rocks. And still it didn't fit my chest. While it showed off the ladies in a very flattering way, it was so tight in my shoulders it actually bunched up and formed another collar on top of my other collar. And no dear, it's not suppose to do that. 

I was luckily able to return it thanks to their exchange policies for the size up. I suppose I just need to learn I won't find a shirt that fits my chest and my waist. Except the little boys t-shirts I find in the thrift stores. 

Pinup Girl Clothing Grace Dress in Flocked Blue

This dress came and I was in love... Until I put it on. I followed my measurements to a T and I ordered the medium accordingly. However it took my muscles husband to get me into the thing. The zipper is set on the side, but when it's open the entire arm is open. So to zip you must hold that side down on your shoulder, while trying to hold the two sides together, while trying to zip it up. It's not a one person job. 

We finally got it on, it fit nicely on my waist and ribs, like Edith Head said" tight enough to show I'm a woman, loose enough to show I'm a lady." But then the bust was very firm and tight. It had no give. The measurements said the bust was 38-40 inches, but I found it to be more like 36-38. It just didn't work. I nearly cried, it's beautiful. I might very well cut it into a skirt.

 I absolutely love the fabric. It's a thicker fabric that looks brushed or polished, it has a lovely sheen and the black pattern is velvet. 

I'm not sure if I can part with such a dress, I might have to make it into a skirt 

The lavender Monica Dress from Pinup Girl Clothing

Firstly I should say, I'm not keeping this dress, the fit in general looked off to me due to the bust. Not to mention the lavender color did nothing for me. I sold this dress and bought the gold. However here's my review. 

The color as soon as you open it is lovely, but with my very pale skin and light ginger hair, was gonna clash. 

I put it on and sure enough, it just made me look a little blanched. The fit on the bottom wasn't too bad, but the length was confusing. I'm pretty tall at 5-8 so if I was shorter I think it would of been the calf length they were shooting for. And if I was taller it would of hit above the knee and looked fine. But the second I started walking around the dress rides up because standing it hits me in the middle of the knee. 

I got the size xl according to my measurements, it was way too big and yet the bust was boxy and squished me down... There is a built in undergarment to hold you in and make it so you can wear the dress without a bra. But I found the dress isn't right enough on the waist for that. What I did with my good version is completely take out the upper bra portion of the undergarment and take in the waist about 8 inches. I also too in the hip and leg. 

When I measure the good dress against the site measurements it's equal to a size medium. So I'm not too sure if it's just this style of dress due to the cut and stretch but I definitely don't wear a medium in PUG clothing that's to my chest. 

Over all I wish this dress would of looked good on me, it's beautiful, but if I was a new customer I'd be sure to size down in this particular style and size up in the other styles. Which you'll see from my next review. 

Monica, Monica, Monica!

I have a new love! Sorry to my man but I've officially gone off the deep end. I've bought two already despite the $180.00 price tag. But really who can blame me! I'll be adding photos as soon as it comes. Here it is in gold. 

I took the photos from the site and here is the link 

http://www.pinupgirlclothing.com/monica-gold-lurex.html

They have it in quite a few colors from xs-4x and they have it in maternity sizes too. 

It will emphasize your curves and cover what you don't want thanks to the built in undergarments