Oh how fun! I'd run some searches on "Sophia Loren" and 50s fashion or something, I bet some good stuff will come up.

I spent some time last night googling 1950s fashion and chatting with some of the girls who are going to this party (and who have studied this era in social history). Fashion back then was much much more conservative than today.

Trends that I noticed in photos and articles were:

*Very feminine style of dressing
*Skirts were either fitted and A-line, and generally ended below the knee.
*The hourglass shape was very much in vogue
*Tops/ Shirts were very conservative, no cleavage but still very form-fitting
*White gloves for evening wear
*Hair was generally short and curled
*Makeup was minimal during day apart from lipstick, more glamorous in the evening

So from this, I think my costume will entail of a high-waisted pencil skirt, cream top, my black shoe-boots (more for comfort rather than an allusion to 1950s shoes). I am unsure of what I will do with my hair.

I'll post pictures of my outfit tomorrow.

Sounds like you have it figured out! Can't wait for the photo!

This does sound fun and challenging! How short is your hair?? Will you be able to style it the way they suggest?

Sounds lovely! Can you tease the hair and then pull it away from your face, either in a bun (if you have long hair) or with a wide hair band (if you have short or bob length hair)?

If you have long hair, try a French roll maybe with some wispy curls at the cheek

Here is my draft outfit for this party:

http://s396.photobucket.com/al.....ystery.jpg

I was thinking about buying this skirt for the last few weeks and now I finally had the excuse to purchase it. However I am wondering about the fit. I got a UK size 4-6 (US0-2), and I am wondering if it is too tight. I can always bring it back tomorrow and exchange it for size up.

Hair- My hair is currently past shoulder-length but I have an appointment for a haircut that day. I don't think I will bother too much about having my hair looking exactly 1950s, instead just focus on it not looking too unkempt. Makeup shouldn't be too much of a hassle, seeing as I generally do very minimal makeup.

I like the skirt! How does it feel...too tight? Can you walk and sit comfortably in it? It might be worth looking into the next size up.

What about a fitted collared shirt with strands of pearls around your neck? If you stick with that style shirt, I might try a darker shirt rather than a white one. I think you're on the right track, though! Sounds like a great party!

The outfit looks great! I agree with Dani - a blouse would be more period accurate.

Alternately, a fitted cardigan button up and tucked in would be great! You're after form fitting!
http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Brows...../85613.jsp

And if you happen to have one - one of the cropped swing type jackets that are all around now would be perfect for this era!

I have decided to keep the skirt but to get it slightly altered. The reason why I thought it was too small was because the high waistband was pinching but where my waist and the waistband on the skirt ends are different; it ended on my ribcage. So in order to make it fit, I had the waistband altered slightly to make to finish on my waist, and voila, it fits perfectly. The alteration was expensive enough but worth the money as it is an item of clothing that I can wear for a number of years.