Ok, yay! Glad you all like the dress. Retro is very much my style but I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, so I'm happy with all the compliments. Also, happy and surprised about all the comments re: my hair. I was so unhappy with it in these pics that I was considering lopping my head off (in the photos, obviously).
Maya, I am with you on the pearls thing. I do love them, even with a black dress, but not for a wedding. It just doesn't seem festive enough for this, so I agree that something more "eye-catching" is the way to go. Angie, I love the idea of an actual vintage necklace so I will for sure head to Portobello or another market to scout one. I am also ALL OVER the idea of a little detail at the back of the sleeves. I'm already imagining finding the perfect vintage necklace with matching clip-on earrings or shoe clips, which I will carefully sew onto the dress. Eeeek!
As for my glasses, I meant to ask you about that, Angie. What do you usually do for formal occasions? I can see quite well without them, so though contacts aren't an option for me, I could just forgo 20/20 vision for the night. I am hoping to get another pair of glasses for my birthday in September though, and I'm looking for a slightly daintier, black plastic pair (these are dark brown with colored arms). Assuming I can find something like that, would it be better? Or are specs just going to compete with the look no matter what?
Ok, I'm on a mission to accessorize this thing out of the park! The dress was such a bargain that I feel totally ok about this, and I love shopping for accessories. I'll deal with hair and makeup closer to the time. I do love the idea of a '40's red lip, but I'll have to see what happens with the jewelry because I don't want to be OTT. Thanks for all the help, everyone!
(The guitar is actually a '72 thinline Telecaster and it is most definitely Andrew's. Every now and then he tries to teach me but it usually ends in frustration on all sides- it's better if I just stay away from it!)