Blue Belle in Vintage

I think I’ve mentioned when it comes to fashion, I don’t stick to the norm. 

For the most part, vintage is my love. Reproduction, or original, I’ll mix and match to create a look that’s firmly influenced by that decade of choice – whether it’s 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s or 80s.

Given my bright hair and my er, not so slender physique, it means I tend to draw attention. It’s not intentional, I just love to dress up and wear pretty things, and the first few times I stepped out in something definitively vintage or retro I got a lot of stares and felt rather uncomfortable. 

Several years on, I’m used to it. As I say it’s not what I’m after, or want, what I wear is just an extension of my personality, but if I decide to wear my silver pineapple hat, or the one that’s shaped like a cocktail glass, then I sort of expect it. 

The opportunity to review a Dolly and Dotty dress from Didi’s Boutique had me digging out my giant hat box (it’s full of accessories), my actual hat box (full of hats), and putting a look together. 

I then grabbed my phone for the images, and Mr GFB to take them and headed out into our local park for a little wander. 

I had spotted the dress at the latest Didi’s Boutique fashion show, which had also seen me snaffle a pair of cats eye sunglasses and a bright orange scarf. I knew I had a hat or two at home that were missing an outfit but at the time they’d been too beautiful to not invest in. Though the dress hadn’t been in my size in the boutique (16), Marie kindly ordered it for me, posting it out to me at home. 

The dress is a soft stretchy cotton, that’s nicely fitted around the upper body, with a softly pleated skirt. I love the shawl collar that gives it a very Jackie O’ feel, and could easily be paired with dolly shoes and a neck scarf to make it a little more rockabilly, or dressed up like I did for a wedding or daytime do. Or just because.  

My only grumble would be the belt. It has no stiffening in it at all, which means as soon as you sit down, it wrinkles and folds and you have to spend five minutes trying to get it to lie flat again. It’s a bit of a shame when the rest of the dress is so lovely. I’m going to try and find an alternative belt that’s more likely to stay put. 

The soft navy worked perfectly with both of my navy hats, but most suited this original 1950s felt hat which has an integral wire to help it fasted to your head. Add in a couple of hat pins, a pair of 1960s gloves, a 1950s handbag and some pearls, and I was in love – and as usual, striking enough to cause a couple of funny looks at the park.

I must admit that perhaps the latter was less the outfit and more the fact that it was bloody freezing and everyone else was wrapped up in layers of knitwear. 

Good job I took a little something with me to warm me up….

Suitably warmed, we strolled through the park, spotting a rather fat squirrel hiding behind a tree. He seemed distinctly camera shy. 

I edged closer… Quietly. Which is bloody hard to do in slingbacks.

Got him. 

As I slowly turned goosebumpy and my nose began to turn bright pink, we decided it was time to head back home and warm up. 

This Tiffany dress is available from Didi’s Boutique in sizes 8 to 24 and Marie will be holding another fashion show at the end of this month so you can pop by and see the range of clothes she has on offer. Details can be found via Facebook. 

Might see you there.  

With thanks again to Marie for this dress, which was received for review. The service from Didi’s has always been lovely (I’ve invested in a few items from her shop) and will no doubt do so again.