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Weekly WIW

Alassë

Veteran

Hello there! Another edition of the Alasse outfit lab for you. I'm pretty sure #2 would be a lot better with retro looking sandals, whatever those might be (footwear ideas?). Anything else you have in mind?

My thanks to MuseumGal for starting me on another braids/updos jag; I found a couple dozen tutorials and I've been working through them. I really like some of the new, easy styles I've added to my quick-but-elegant repertoire (Gibson tuck, for example).

Also, it occurs to me that while I like 50s style, 40s is another period I like but don't necessarily know how to get across. Does the forum have any suggestions for how to dress a bit like that?

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17 replies

Latest reply was from Aida

Alassë

Veteran

And as I promised E, here are a selection of sash/bow try-outs. I'm pretty excited to integrate this style idea. (The first is shorts-with-tights, since I do like the look of short & loose wool shorts + tights, and needed to experiment. #2 is just a layering look, probably seasonally inappropriate due to tights + short sleeves.) Do you like the bow neck-ties under the collar or over/inside it better?

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MuseumGal

Veteran

Love these Alasse, so femme! Delighted to see the braids and updos; would love to see some closeups. Hmmm, I hadn't thought of the Gibson Girl tuck, I'll check it out, though my hair be too straight/slick ...

As for retro sandals, these aren't quite sandals, but every time I see them I a) covet them, and b) think they'd go perfectly with your style.

http://www.zappos.com/fidji-bi.....euvo-black

jackiec

Veteran

You really do dresses so very well. My favs are 2&3 and I'm really liking your hairstyles.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

My faves are #2 , #3 and #4. Such a great silhouette on you. The tie experiments are fun, too. A little bit "boy scout," a little bit "Gibson girl." I think I prefer #6 of those.

For retro looking shoes, Miz Mooz might be a brand to consider.

I think most of your outfits do have a slight 40s feel, More so than 50s, actually, although that is there sometimes as well, particularly in necklines.

In the 40s, women went out to work, so they wore a lot of blazers -- that might be a thought. Strong shoulders. You could also try some pleated trouser looks. Or play with hairstyles.

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Alassë

Veteran

Thanks, MuseumGal! Those are interesting shoes, and right at my max heel height. Unfortunately no brown.... For hairstyles, I've been checking out the Freckled Fox's hair tutorials: http://www.freckled-fox.com/p/hair-beauty_4.html.

Thank you, Jackie!

Thank you for giving your input so regularly, Suz! Boy scout definitely came to mind when I tried those ties. I'd known about Miz Mooz but not looked recently; too bad this didn't come in a lower heel (http://www.amazon.com/Miz-Mooz.....#038;qid=1). I noted collars/lapels in my 40s Google search, and I've got victory rolls on the hairstyles-to-try list.

columbine(erin)

Veteran

Have you looked at Modcloth for sandals or shoes?
My favorite was no. 3. I like the polka dot sash and the neckline of the dress together.

Alassë

Veteran

Thank you, columbine. I have checked Modcloth, and love their designs, but am not sure about comfort level.

Tessitura

I love what you've done with your outfits, Alasse. (And I have your same concerns about comfort, with ModCloth... which in my experience is almost synonymous with quality.) I do sense some degree of the '40s and '50s in what you're doing here, particularly with the high-waisted, fuller skirts (but I'm no expert) and some of your blouses, and of course the polka-dot scarf/tie. And wearing longer hair that isn't hyper-straight is more of a retro thing, I think (mine is similar).

I love #3 from both the first and the second sets. The clean, minimalist lines of #3-the-first just speak to me, and I think this combo could be amazing for fall with knee boots that match the belt. I love your cream colored blouse... there's something about the neutral color and the detailing that makes it more to my taste than most bow-style blouses. Can I ask where you found it?

For the second outfit, where you weren't thrilled with the shoes... have you considered a low-heeled pump? I'm thinking about something like this: http://www.6pm.com/fidji-womens-shoes~2. I have a couple pairs of Fidji pumps, and they have a very retro look, but the comfort factor is quite high.

Can I ask you whether the polka-dot accessory is a scarf, or was it intended as a sash? I have gotten great mileage out of "obi" belts, and this looks like a slightly softer and less aggressive take on that style. I would also second Suz's recommendation about the blazers. For wearing with fuller skirts, I gravitate toward shorter/cropped blazers with a full sleeve. I think the full-length sleeve is important for us pears, to avoid too much of a horizontal line near the waist/hips.. the long column of sleeve feels slimming to me. A couple of my favorite jackets actually are cut so that the back is slightly higher than the front, and this helps a lot if you feel like blazers are prone to destroying your waistline with bulk. I think of blazers like jeans... you try on 20 to find the one you love.

Alassë

Veteran

Thank you for your detailed comment, Tessitura! I agree, cognac boots would look great (mine are dk. brown, alas). The ivory PB blouse is Deletta by Anthropologie; mine turned up on eBay.

I do have a low-heeled pump, but it's waiting for moleskin as it caused enormous blisters last time I wore it on errand day (#2 was another errand day). Thank you for the brand recommendation, though; I've never seriously looked at Fidji. I agree, it skews retro (most of the heels look over 1.5", though).

The polka dot thing is a scarf, but I figured I could make it do double duty as a sash. I like the look of blazers, but most restrict my movement. Now, knit blazers work, and I have one for winter.

Suzanne

Super cute! Have you considered saddle shoes or penny loafers? Or some simple Mary Janes?

Another thing about '40s fashion: because of the war, skirts were slim (to conserve fabric). A pencil skirt--maybe midi length if you can pull it off--and a tailored blazer would be a nice combo. The silhouette for the '40s is much slimmer and more angular than the classic '50s look, from what I understand.

Alassë

Veteran

Thanks for weighing in, Suzanne. I have both pencil skirts & Mary Janes; I just prefer not to wear closed-toe shoes in summer (too hot). The pencil skirt outfits will come around in the WIWs.

Tessitura

Just to follow up... you are correct in that the majority of the Fidji styles tend to have a higher heel. I am also Team Low Heel, and the lower heeled versions are to be found; Amazon has quite a few at the moment. I think Pikolinos and Think! also tend to look a little more retro at times, and even Fluevog if you can stand "retro influenced punk". If you know of any other good brands for low-heeled, retro-inspired, comfortable shoes, I'd love to hear about them.

Aida

Veteran

Great week! I am enjoying seeing your hair 'dos, and how they compliment each outfit. Another 40s fashion lover here, though it doesn't show too much for me either. I'd suggest as Suz said, adding the elements of a working gal. In your case, a sharp blazer and oxfords both jump out at me as excellent options. I think oxfords would be the perfect shoe with #2, too (actually they'd probably work well with most of your outfits!). Of the second set of sash/bow looks, I'm particularly fond of #1 and #7. Cheeky!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I really like your dress and skirt outfits! So flattering, and I can see the 40s/50s influence already. For a 40s vibe, you might want to look into a strong-shouldered blazer. I love that silhouette.

And the hairstyle options are really fun too -- how nice to be able to do your hair in so many different ways.

Alassë

Veteran

Thanks, Tessitura. I like Fluevog, though autumn-coloured options aren't many.

Thanks for your detailed suggestions, Aida! I didn't know you likeded the 40s, too. I do have oxfords, with a low heel - they'll come out to play in fall (in summer it's too hot for me to wear closed-toe shoes).

Thank you, Janet!

catgirl

Veteran

Agree with Suz! Miz Mooz has some great retro heels, and Fluevog is another place to look for funky eclectic retro looks. You look so fab in dresses like these...

Aida

Veteran

What about a flat cutout oxford? http://www.shopstyle.com/browse?fts=cutout+oxford