WIB: 1950s Summer Top and (too big) Dress

Couple more summer items.

Photos 1-3: Eloquii black "bubble" off-shoulder top. Lovely mid-weight cotton blend. It has a deeper scoop neckline. Very easy to wear on shoulder, maybe more-so than off shoulder! Styled with tropical pants and new tube skirt. Despite the longer sleeves, it's very breezy due to a relaxed, fluid torso. Thrifted online for $9, in pristine condition. (I don't know if it was ever worn tbh.)

Photos 4-5: A New Day coral-orange sun dress. (I almost want to call it papaya.) Sadly, this is too large Is this dress style good on me and worth buying in a smaller size?? I love that it's 100% cotton. Very breezy and comfy! Pockets. And a glorious orangey coral color! What do you all think?? Thrifted online for $10.

My only issue is... by bust and waist size, I should order XL. But by hip size I should look for XXL. But the skirt is very flared, so I should think XL should work?

Both top and dress reminds me of Connie Francis in Where The Boys Are... (Photos 6-9) weeee!!!

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Custom Find

by Ket

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1 week ago

nuancedream

Veteran

Love the black "bubble" off the shoulder top. What a great thrifted find at only $9! That breezy orange dress looks fab on you! Definitely get it in a smaller size. If the skirt was more straight cut than flared, then sizing up would make sense. You would probably need to have the bust altered for the best fit.

Active Member

I love the graceful neckline of the top. The dress is definitely worth getting in a smaller size! Hip measurement doesn’t matter at all in that style—that’s one of its benefits, haha. Both style and color look lovely.

Jenni NZ

Dress style is definitely good on you! I am unclear what size you actually bought. Sounds like XL will be worth trying.
The black top is great too, especially with your pants. You look amazing in pic 3. Just like the actress in pic 6! I’ve never heard of that movie.

Ket

Nuanced, thank you! I feel really excited about these finds. Thank you for the thoughts for the orange dress! I think I'm going to try XL, as the skirt is quite flared/gathered. Plus, there is only one XL available on resell sites, but XXL seems more abundant. So we'll see. I'll report back.

Cookie, I really love the top too! I kind of wondered if hip measurement mattered. It's been 10 years since I wore a dress this style.

Jenni, oh yay! Thank you, this helps a lot. Sizing-- I got the dress in a 1X plus size. The brand is from Target and their plus sizes seem to run quite large compared to my favorite City Chic clothes. I did check Target's sizing chart for it before purchase. I thought maybe their chart wasn't accurate (I've had that happen). Should have believed the chart; it's accurate. ha! I am swimming in at least 6-8 inches of excess of fabric in bust and waist.

I'm tickled you think I look like Connie in my tropical outfit!

My very dear stylist friend once wrote this about Connie Francis' character in the movie Where The Boys Are:

The Angies of the world use fashion not only as personal expression of the joy of being alive, they use it to amuse themselves and others.

I really love her observation.

in a similar vein, but much punchier, are these dresses from Blumarine S/S 2012. They really float my boat. I have avoided the kind of '50s fit 'n flare shape for some time. But I'm enjoying just a touch of it again with this coral dress.

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Jaime

(website)

Your inspo pics dovetail beautifully with your style Ket. I especially like the black top and tropical pants - exactly the sort of glamourous summer look the Blumarine dresses conjure up. Dress or something similar in a smaller size is worth finding - I think with those kind of dresses fitting the top half is most important.

6 days ago

Star

Love the black top. Especially stunning with the tropical pants. Love the papaya colour. I have pants that I named papaya which unfortunately are too small currently. The colour suits you! It makes sense to me that a size down will work with the fuller skirt.

Isn’t it cool that the character’s name is Angie? That quote could be about our very own YLF Angie!

RobinF

I agree with the above comments - great black top and the dress is definitely worth getting in a smaller size! Love that color!

Jaime, thank you! I love late 50s and early 60s looks, especially if more glamorous and sensual. I'm feeling delighted that my outfits are similar to my inspo photos.

Star, I really love it with the pants too! The olive skirt was a total wild card but so far, not wearing it or even loving it. (Might pass it on.) re orange, I really love the color too, so thank you! Bummer about your pants (been there before myself). Maybe you can find another papaya item for this spring/summer? I do think a smaller size dress will work, especially with such a full skirt. I'll report back when the smaller size arrives.

Jenni, OOH! I thought the exact same thing after I posted!! It really sounds like our Angie ♥

Robin, I'm to thrilled everyone is loving the top and dress as much as I am! I ordered the dress in a smaller size. The color and style really capture my heart for this summer.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

*blushing*

Thanks for the kind words Ket and Jenni

Ket, the black blouse is soooo Sophia Loren!!! Romantic, dramatic, and very YOU! Love it with the pants in #1! $9 well spent.

By all means try the dress down a size. Has great potential! Try your knitted wraps over it too.

Angie, oh you're so welcome, lovely lady

I am squeeing just a bit. I adore Sophia Loren!!! And I really love the black blouse. I scoured resale sites to find it. It's an older Eloquii design and it's the only one I could find, so I'm really thrilled! I'm excited about the dress. I found a smaller size, so I will try it with my knitted wraps soon

Suz

What Angie said! I love the top on you -- brilliant with the printed pants! It's perfect for your style. And yes, try the dress a size down for sure!

Lisa

Brilliant find with the bubble sleeve black top. It's lovely on you paired with the floral pants.

The coral dress is a superb color and shape, I hope one size down is a perfect fit. This looks like a great dress for summer.

5 days ago

SW Ann

I can't wait to see you in the "papaya" dress in the correct size. That color looks fab on you, and it looks like a real winner for summer. Love that black top too. Your summer wardrobe is shaping up to be great!

Suz, Lisa, SW Ann, oh thank you!! I really feel like my summer wardrobe so far has been one of the most satisfying experiences, sartorially speaking, I've had in 5-6 years.

I will definitely come back with an update on the papaya dress. Sadly, we are in the midst of a spring snow storm again. It won't warm up again until Sunday or Monday. Really bummed to pause all my fun summer clothes again. >.<

4 days ago

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