My Polka Dot Rose

Dolores Polka Dot Rose Half Sleeve Dress from Collectif, shoes from New Look, vintage handbag

I’m a huge fan of Collectif and a particular devotee of their Dolores dress. I have it in eight(!) different prints threatening to burst the hinges of my wardrobe at any moment. (See here, here and here for proof of my love.) So I was pretty excited to see the autumn/winter spin on my old favourite.

The winter edition of the Dolores is a more modest cut than its summer cousin. It’s still got that va-va-voom-ka-pow-pow-pow-boom-pow silhouette but the slightly higher sweetheart neckline reveals a glimpse rather than a yard of cleavage and the half sleeves ensure goosepimply bingo wings are contained and insulated.

The print combines two vintage classics – polka dots and roses – to create a tongue-in-chic, cartoonish vision of feminitity. Betty Boop would rock this frock. As would Minnie’s older, more worldy wise sister, Minxie Mouse.

Ladylike In Red

Dress by Stop Staring via eBay, seamed stockings from What Katie Did, kitten heels from ASOS, vintage handbag

I love everything 1950s. Apart from the lack of equal rights, which sucked. Some days though, I want to feel more like a lady than a walking homage to the pinup, for instance on the days I visit my grandparents. Luckily I have a back up decade I can call upon for family occasions and bomb raids alike – the fabulous though war-torn 1940s.

The silhouette of this little red forties frock is just gorgeous. It’s gently undulating rather than boom-boom-pow but it’s still flattering to your curves. Thoughtful details like the puff shoulders and tie neckline add to the vintage charm, while the half sleeves and below-the-knee skirt make it perfectly autumnal.

All in all, this highly sophisticated dress exudes the kind of demure femininity that makes your grandmother (and me) swoon.