Ask Angie: '50s-Style Party without the "Costumey" Look!

My brother invited me to a party in Beverly Hills, at the end of the month, and it is a '50s style party, at a restaurant and/or museum, with tours of vintage cars and will be a nice event in the Hollywood area. He says one of his biggest clients will be there and he's asked me to dress in a fun 1950s style! That's not my era, nor is it my "fun" era to play up, because I have no ideas other than a scarf around the neck and the use of some relevant colors. I don't like full skirts and was thinking only of using color to imitate this time.

I was thinking of wearing a houndstooth wraparound skirt that's made with a black grosgrain ribbon at the waist, and a black or white top with my black Stuart Weitzman suede knee-high pointed boots and a scarf OR a deep yellow Halogen pencil skirt with my black or white Brooks Brothers dress shirt and some interesting jewelry, a belt and pumps. I'm clueless in Newport Beach and not sure if either is appropriate!

What would you recommend to "make the scene," but not be too "costumey" and predictible-looking (not my style), which can easily be done since I did background for a few years, but wold prefer to keep it classic modern with only a "nod" to the 1950s? There will be cocktails, food and private tours of the cars. Help! I can put something together here in Orange County, but the affair is only three weeks away.

Thanks to everyone's input!

Vicki

12 years ago

Joy

Veteran

I'm not much help although I remember the 50's. Do you think most people will be dressing 50s for this event? You might look at some old I Love Lucy for inspiration. I remember the full midi length skirts with lots of cinolines under them and woven blouses with peter pan collars with maybe a small ribbon bow; pony tails often tied with scarves and even square scaves folded in half on the diagonal and tied under the chin.
However adult women didn't wear these so much. My mother wore black and white tweed suits with pencil skirts, brooches and small hats. Fit and flare dresses were popular for everyday, often with an apron.
Everything was woven fabric, not knits. Knits like tee shirts were underwear.

MsMaven

Sheath dresses were very popular, usually worn with high heels. Halter dresses with full gathered skirts a la Monroe in 7 year itch. And as Joy points out, the tailored suit with a brooch and a hat. Wide belts were popular. Also the Lana Turner look: a pencil skirt with a pullover sweater (better if it had a collar of some sort.) Sweater would be tucked in and worn with a wide belt.

Girls wore "pedal pushers," which were pants to just below the knee. Women didn't wear pants much--mostly house dresses. I do recall that at a certain point Capri pants came into style, but at first they were called toreador pants and were worn with a scarf tied around the waist instead of a belt.

Oh, now I remember. Dresses with dropped waistlines were popular. Even my mother had one. They were fitted to a few inches below the waist and then had a full gathered skirt.

I think a pencil skirt with a shirt tucked in and a wide belt would be great and not too costumey. Pearls were always popular then.

You could look through the archives at http://coutureallure.blogspot.com/
I remember seeing quite a few 50s looks there.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Welcome to the forum, and how lovely that you posted a thread.

I'm sure you'll have fun at the party, Vicki :).

Suz just went to a '50s costume party so she will have lots of outfit ideas. Perhaps someone can pull up those threads?

You've received great advise here. Sheath dress or voluminous A-line midi. Kitten heels and a facinator. A bit of faux fur? You will look fab!

Btw, I answered your lipstick questions on the blog posts. I hope they are helpful.

Suz

Hi, Vicki, and welcome!

I just attended a "fabulous 50s party." However, I went for the full-out evening look, via thrift store finds. My clothes were not actually from the 50s but echoed the 50s look (I hope). It was probably more costumey than you would like for what you are doing; mine was a party with artsy friends, so I could safely go "over the top" just for the fun of it.

Here's the thread: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ties-party

I think others posted some pics as well to give me ideas. Alicat (I think) showed a great 50s jeans outfit, that might make sense for a car show!

You might also take a look at Banana Republic's MadMen collection for some ideas:
http://bananarepublic.gapcanad.....o?cid=5002
I guess some of that is early 60s influence, but close enough.

I found a vintage pattern site to be really inspirational:

http://www.sovintagepatterns.c.....terns.html

If you pick your silhouette you can then get ideas for accessories . It sounds as if the pencil skirt would work really well for you; then examine the topper options and go from there. You could also consider your hairstyle.

Good luck, and have a wonderful time!

You have all made my day and I am feeling so much better with your shared ideas! Thank you so much. At the moment, I'm feeling the sheath or pencil skirt notion, however, I love the Banana Republic "Mad Men" link and it's great inspiration for me. I'll post a photo of my choice in a few weeks.

What's funny is that I used to do background work, for fun, and one of the last shows I did was the Season 4 finale of "Mad Men." It was a pool scene with Jon Hamm and everyone was dressed in period resort wear. I'll post a photo here with Jon Hamm where I'm in the background wrapping a child in a red and white striped beach towel.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

So cool! Thanks for posting that!

BTW, in my photo I am not wearing the over-the-elbow gloves that my mother sent to me slightly after I took the pic! Oh, I was a sight....

Have fun at your party and show us what you wear!

Category