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.

Get Your Baubles Out In A Vintage Style Christmas Party Dress

Dress from Pin Up Girl Clothing, handbag, earrings and brooch are vintage, shoes from Office via eBay

Party season has arrived, providing us all with an excuse to dress up in our most sophisticated eveningwear and get drunk until we’re sick on ourselves. I’m joking of course; I care far too much about my dresses to ever be sick on them. I’ll aim for the taxi floor or the nearest badly dressed person instead.

I like a red dress for Christmas (and for the other 364 days of the year), preferably in satin or lace. This one’s from Pin Up Girl Clothing and has a mystifying wraparound sash. If you buy the dress and can’t fathom the sash, don’t feel stupid for being outfoxed by a frock. It’s so confusing, the manufacturer has made a video tutorial just to show you how to do the pesky thing up.

Elizabeth Taylor is my vintage jewellery icon. In her words…

Yes, we do, Liz. Especially at Christmas. No-one wants to be upstaged by a fairy light. And sparkly things don’t just look pretty, they make you look pretty too by sneakily illuminating your face. Wearing a big pair of bejewelled earrings is like carrying around your own personal lighting director. When Elizabeth heard this news, she got a bit overexcited.

Here are some more showstopping frocks to get you in the party mood. Remember ladies, keep it classy to get the vintage look. Don’t dress like a ho ho ho. Unless you’re into that, in which case, all power to you – Merry Grindmas!

Gerry Roxby, 20th Century Foxy, MagsRagsVintage on Etsy, Collectif, Trashy Diva, Circa Vintage

My Love Affair With The Little Red Dress

From left to right, 1. Miss Candyfloss 2. ModCloth 3. Ebay 4. The Pretty Dress Company

Why I’d choose a red number over an LBD (nearly) every time.

Perhaps it’s because I listened to too much Chris de Burgh in my formative years. Or maybe I’m just an attention-seeker. Whatever the reason, the little red dress is my fashion failsafe. I have one or two. Or six or seven. And they all make me feel great – strong, sexy and a little bit Spanish. What’s not to love? Wear one well and you can take on the world. My collection of red dresses is as essential to the smooth running of my wardrobe as my drawer of giant knickers.

Tips so you can make Chris de Burgh proud

1. When choosing a red dress you have to find the right shade for your colouring or you’ll risk looking more jaundiced than jaw-dropping. Bright red contrasts beautifully against very fair or very dark skin. Try more muted shades with a tan. And it’s best avoided altogether if you’re sunburned, unless you dig that lobster look.

2. A red dress is a bold enough statement not to need a whole lot of accessories. I normally keep it simple with neutral shoes and handbags – yes, leopard is a neutral. I add an extra bit of vintage sparkliness to up the glamour wattage for a night out. If you want to be a bit more daring, red can look terrific accented with hot pink. I try to avoid wearing black with red though, except when it’s incorporated in the dress design already.

3. Wearing a red dress encourages people to serenade you. I wore my red 1940s style pencil dress recently and three separate groups of people sang ‘The Lady In Red’ to me. I’m not boasting and this isn’t technically a tip. I’m just offering you the scientific proof that wearing a red dress makes your life more like a movie, one with your own personal soundtrack.