The Collectif Gretel Gingham Swing Dress

Dress from Collectif, wedges from New Look

This dress is part picnic rug and part Australian schoolgirl but somehow it works. The 1950s style halter neck and circle skirt are lovely and summery. And the heart-shaped buttons and lacy white trim elevate it from cute to adorable.

A word on sizing: If you’re blessed/burdened with big boobs, size up. I’m normally a 10 in Collectif dresses but the 10 in this style made my lady lumps look way too lumpy. Even in the 12, I’ve had to sew it up between the buttons to reduce the risk of accidentally flashing everyone.

Like me, Brigitte Sex Kitten Bardot couldn’t resist a bit of gingham. She of the magnificent bouffant loved it so much she even wore a pink gingham dress on her wedding day.

Here are a few flirty frocks to give you some of that Bardot style.

(From left to right) Heartbreaker, Hell Bunny, Heartbreaker, Hell Bunny, Bernie Dexter, Pin Up Girl Clothing

Vintage Essentials No.2: A Cherry Print Dress

Dress by Stop Staring, wedges from New Look, clutch from Primark

So you’ve mastered polka dots – well done, you look fab – and now you’re ready for your next classic vintage ensemble. Like polka dots but with added stalks, it’s the always scrumptious cherry print dress.

If dots are cute, cherries are almost too adorable to handle. This is the ultimate feelgood frock. It’s nearly impossible to pull off being in a bad mood while being covered knee to décolletage in juicy, ripe cherries. You just can’t help but look cheerful and cheeky, even if you’re scowling and throwing a diva strop.

Marilyn made cherries iconic in her 1961 film, The Misfits, by wearing one of  my all time favourite onscreen outfits. The flirty print, the draped hourglass shape and her creampuff of a hairdo make her look like a sexy cupcake – sugary sweet and good enough to eat.

White à la Ms Monroe is the classic colour choice as it’s both summery and seductive. Black or baby blue also look yummy. I tend to keep my white one for warm weather and my trusty black one for winter.

Wear scarlet lipstick to match your cherries and either red or neutral accessories to keep the outfit simple and let your cherries do the talking.

Every retro repro brand worth its wiggle offers its own interpretation of this look. Here are some of the fruitiest frocks online to make you look positively delicious.

From left to right: Glamour Bunny, Collectif, Pin Up Girl Clothing, Big Beautiful Barbara Brown, Mod Cloth, Dainty Rascal, Cherise Design, Bettie Page, Heartbreaker

Vintage Essentials No.1: A Polka Dot Dress

Dress from Collectif, wedges and clutch from Primark

A polka dot dress is top of my list for building the perfect vintage wardrobe. It’s a fabulous outfit for day, night or day-to-night. When in doubt, whack your polka dots out!

These dotty, spotty, acne-ridden dresses are sexy but tongue-in-chic. They’re also cute and a bit cartoony. My red one makes me feel like a raunchy Minnie Mouse. Speaking of ladies with the initials M.M, Marilyn was another polka dot pro. They perfectly suited her unique blend of sex appeal and adorability.

This look exudes pure 1950s glamour. Choose a wiggle or circle dress for the most iconic silhouette. If you’re more of a 40s vixen, an A-line tea dress is just the ticket. Classic colours for polka dots are black, white, navy and red. I have at least one of each in my overstuffed wardrobe. Also look out for brighter shades to really get you noticed.

Such eye-catching frocks look best with neutral accessories – neutral in this case meaning black, white, nude and, the mother of all neutrals, leopard print.

Here is a selection of dresses for you to go dotty over.

red halter, baby blue, red and white, black, pink, white, navy, white wrap, red

My Girly Vintage Sundress

Vintage sundress from Unique Vintage, floral wedges from New Look, handbag from River Island

This 1950s vintage sundress has been in my wardrobe for years but I still yank it out every summer; I have to yank because it’s pretty crowded in there. I love its unapologetic girliness  – the pale pink cotton, the baby blue straps, the floral embroidery – it’s girlier than a fairytale princess sitting on a flowerbed eating candyfloss while softly weeping to her pet lamb. It makes me want to skip in meadows and make friends with tweeting birds. I never get those urges when I’m wearing a wiggle dress.

Here are some more super girly, super gorgeous vintage dresses for all you grown up princesses to swan around in.

pink gingham, blue halter, floral, candy pink, lilac, fuschia

A tan leather day bag and a pair of floral wedges complete the outfit. I’ve had a lifelong obsession with flowery shoes. I thought they were magical when I was a little girl and I stand by that assessment now. Below are some that are available right now, including a pair I couldn’t resist including that will make you look as fabulously fruity as Carmen Miranda, the bombshell with the banana fetish.

cream, pink, tan, red, black, fruity

The Hawaiian Vintage Dress Guide

This summer I have become obsessed with tropical print 1950s dresses. For evidence of this, look here, here, here and here.

Through extensive practical research I’ve discovered that they cannot be beaten if you want to feel sassy, sexy and showstopping. Which I do, at all times. In this guide I’ll tell you where to find these beautiful dresses, whether you’re looking for authentic vintage, custom-made or reproduction.

To start with, here are three websites to make your tiki fantasies come true.

Whirling Turban

Wildly Flirtatious, Violent Violet, Mid Century Modern

This Bali-based design studio create breathtaking frocks using stunning local fabrics and traditional construction techniques. It’s no wonder Whirling Turban is a popular choice for vintage brides. These dresses are seriously special and when I look at them my heart beats faster.

Vivien of Holloway

Royal Palm, Malibu, Geisha Bloom

One of my favourite vintage repro companies, Vivien of Holloway, makes their sarong dress in a fabulous array of colours and prints. If you’re a bombshell with bingo wings you can invest in a matching bolero.

Miss Bamboo

Aloha dress, Tropical Birds, Ruffle dress

Miss Bamboo is a one-stop online shop for exotic mid-century glamour. As well as the adorable selection of dresses, they sell themed accessories including bamboo bags, bangles and oriental fans to stop you sweating all over your lovely new dress. For UK shoppers, there’s the added bonus that you can enjoy US brands like Trashy Diva and Bernie Dexter without worrying about surprise import taxes and expensive returns.

A few more retro repros to give you tiki fever

20th Century Foxy, Tara Starlet, Pin Up Girl Clothing

And if you dream of a vintage original…

red, aqua, midnight blue, pink, blue, beach

An original vintage Hawaiian dress is a brilliant addition to your wardrobe. Here are some tips to help you on your treasure hunt.

1. Pattern is key. It should be exotic and tropical so look for big splashy florals, palm trees and postcard prints.

2. The colour should also be bold and bright. Make sure you find a dress that really suits your individual colouring for a knockout look.

3. If you want maximum va-va-voom, go for for a wiggle fit. If you prefer to feel the breeze between your thighs, choose a dress with a circle skirt.

4. For added authenticity, search for labels that say, “Made in Hawaii”.

5. Fancy owning a piece of fashion history? Then treat yourself to an Alfred Shaheen. This designer/demigod made the Hawaiian shirt a sensation and the sarong dress a holiday staple. Etsy and The Hana Shirt Co have a great selection of his dresses.

For a final bit of inspiration, here’s Dorothy Lamour, the old school movie star equally fond of fabulous sarongs and her fabulous co-star, Gogo the chimp.

The Hell Bunny Halter Dress

Dress from Hell Bunny, bag is vintage from Beyond Retro, wedges from New Look

After the success of my circle skirt, I was eager to try more of Hell Bunny’s fabulous but affordable range. I chose this hot red halter but felt nervous about the fit. Whenever I buy a dress from a shop for the first time I suffer pre-try-on jitters. Will I fall prey to any of the super sexy side effects that so often accompany a whopping great pair of jubblies? Side effects such as four boob, mono-boob and strangers shouting “tits” at me in the street.

I was especially worried as I’d ordered an Extra Small. I know, who am I kidding? But I wanted the waist to be as fitted as possible – if I wear a circle dress without a nipped in waist I just look like a big circle. Luckily this dress is cut generously at the bust and your arse can be however big it likes; that is the beauty of a circle dress. If you’re thinking of buying, I’d recommend you choose your size by your waist measurement alone.

I also love the colour. It’s a fab fiery red that makes me feel sassy. Definitely another holiday dress. Oh dear, my suitcase is looking as overstuffed as my bra.

On the subject of my smalls, the award for best supporting artist in this outfit goes to my Panache strapless bra. It has multiway straps, a low cut centre front and goes up to a G cup. It also stayed in place all day with minimal hoiking. This is impressive. Most strapless bras I wear require a hell of a lot of hoiking.

Now please excuse me, I have some twirling to do.