The 1950's swing dress look

[The Optimist]

Hi there,

This Friday is the first time that I share my crossdressing with someone else, a really wonderful new GG friend. I've mentioned her in my introduction. She is a psychotherapist and was previously active on the BDSM scene. We have become rather close and she has invited me to her house to make and dress me up. It's only small baby steps at a time but I've already decided on a "look".

I love the 1950's rock n' roll swing look, I think women look beautiful in those outfits; the soft petticoats, flowing dresses, seamed stockings, hairstyles, everything. I've already sourced everything I need, right down to the headscarf and hair flowers. I don't have an awful lot of money but I know from experience it pays to buy the best quality I can afford without breaking the bank. I'll buy what I need in smaller pieces until I have the complete outfit. There is a company called Hell Bunny who specialise in that particular look but with a modern take. They cater for the goth scene too and there is some overlap of that in their designs. I used to own one of their white petticoats and it was such beautiful quality.

Do any CD's here regularly dress like this and admire the look?

The Optimist

[Janice An]

I too like the fashions from the the 50's.
Girls just seemed to look more feminine then.

[Teresa]

I love the look, they embrced it and became very feminine after the austerity of WW2 ! Women looked like women and they enjoyed it !!

[phylis anne]

Yes!! I love the 50's too I am from that generation bring on the poodle skirt
hugs phylis anne

[BLUE ORCHID]

Having grown up in the 50s' I remember how lovely the ladies dressed in the 50s' & 60s' and how the girls dressed in school.

[Tina B.]

Then 50's is when I started dressing, so of course I have fond memories of the style of that time. But since times change, I'll stay with what's in style this season.
But I still love a good girdle, reminiscent of the 50's.
Oh, shirt dresses, pencil shirts, peasant blouses, many of those styles are still with us, just updated, and petal pushers are back and better than ever, in legging capris.

[Stephanie47]

I dress for my day as if I am stuck in the 1950's or 1960's. I do NOT own a pair of women's pants. It's dresses and slips and heels. I usually call it the June Cleaver look. You'll find me fully dressed in a pretty dress and heels with all the proper undergarments in a retro bib apron washing dishes, doing the laundry and ironing, vacuuming, etc. I love crinoline undergarments that poof out a dress. I also love girdles and stockings and full body girdles.

[Beverley Sims]

I used to dress like you describe but it was also some years ago.
For square dancing the full half slip is still in vogue as is the full skirt.

[Alice Torn]

If only we could really have time machines! Sigh. I used to have a neighbor lady, who was a senior citizen, and she always dressed like she was going to church, or a special occasion. Loved seeing that!

[Seana Summer]

One of the next outfits I plan to acquire, hopefully yet this year, is a swing dress. I have already acquired most of the accessories in my shopping. I really don't have any place to wear it, but I love the look!!

I have seen the Hell Bunny dresses, they look nice and I am considering one. However I will defiantly need it altered to fit me before I can wear it. In my case I may need to have a swing dress made for me. Patterns seem to be readily available on the web and may be a good alternative if you know someone who can sew.

[Totomoroto]

Sounds like it would look nice.

[Tamara Croft]

Wow, so many love that look but none of you wanted to help me with a pattern to make one :sad: just ignored my thread completely so I deleted it... it's always the same, ignore the GG's you so greatly look up to, or is it because I'm an admin? don't answer...

[Madilyn A.]

I love the 50's era fashion. Women dressed fashionably to just walk out the door each day. Stockings, heels, and make up everyday. Wow, sounds like me !!

[Isabella Ross]

I love the look that you're describing! I watched the entire recent series of Masterchef just so that I could see Courtney, the eventual winner, bring out one after another gorgeous girly dresses and petticoats. Amazing!

[vallerie lacy]

I must say you have good taste. I also love the look of the fifties. There's nothing better than to see a pretty dress with gorgeous petticoats beneath it. I guess you could say it lights my fire. I suppose that's why I have 14 petticoats hanging in my closet.
I hope you have an absolute fabulous time, and hope to hear all about it.

[jeank]

Seana,

I'd never heard of Hell Bunny before - wow - they are amazing and have just gone high on my "must get one" list.

But sizing may be difficult as I don't really have the 1950s swing dress shape

[Seana Summer]

Hi Jean,

I don't have the right shape either! I first looked at swing dresses on E-Bay then tried to find a US seller, that was when I tripped across Hell Bunny. I am quite tall but I think the dress I am looking at could be made longer by adding a piece to it at the waist with a fabric of a solid color. I don't know for sure, I need to find someone who knows how to sew and is not creeped out buy "little ole me" asking them alter a dress for me!:heehee:

I also like the wiggle dresses but I know I would have to have one of those custom made.

Seana




Tamara,

Why didn't you Google it?? http://www.vavoomvintageblog.com/p/free-patterns.html

[Tamara Croft]

I did google it and I went on that site, but I was using my phone so didn't see everything, thank you Seana :D I now have a pattern I can work with woohoo :D

[Seana Summer]

I remember on one site there was even a video on how to make it.

While you have your sewing machine out...........

Just Kidding

[CONSUELO]

I was watching and Agatha Christie mystery on the TV last night. It was set in the 1950's and all of the women wore dresses that fitted at the waist and flared out. though not a lot. I thought the look was very attractive. Of course, I was a young child then and loving dressing in the pretty lingerie of that time. I suppose we are all tied to the particular "look" of our most impressionable years. I am still very much tied to the fashions of those times although updated. I know that many here very much like Victoria's Secret which I find rather boring. Now Secrets in Lace is another matter altogether. I'm just a child whose CD tastes matured in the 1960's.

[BLUE ORCHID]

Wow, so many love that look but none of you wanted to help me with a pattern to make one :sad: just ignored my thread completely so I deleted it... it's always the same, ignore the GG's you so greatly look up to, or is it because I'm an admin? don't answer...

Hi Tamara, It sounds like someone needs a hug, :hugs:


Maybe you are looking for something that no longer exists.
If I had a pattern I would've hand delivered it to you.

I may hate myself in the Morning !

[Tamara Croft]

Thankyou, I did need a hug :hugs:

I've found a pattern so I'm going to make my dress :) In the UK, you should see all the vintage dresses coming back into fashion and loads of women wearing them, it's amazing :D I'm doing a 1950s night, so hopefully I'll look the part (if I get it done amongst all the rest of the craft I'm doing)... but I have my 'grease' clothes, pink ladies look... going to see which I like best :D

[lingerieLiz]

Growing up in the 50s and wearing the fashions of the time was fun. The strapless sundresses of the early 50s and the poodle skirts with several petticoats. Not to mention the hoop skirt formals for dances. Wide elastic belts and bullet bras. One day while reading a Play Boy magazine I realized I had the same panties as the centerfold. I was so turned on to envision what it might be like to be photographed like her. As we moved into the 60s I moved with the fashions building a great wardrobe. I think that I had at least a half-dozen lingerie sets. Slip, bra, panties, and girdle in various delicate colors. I was lucky enough to pass and loved to go out. I always made sure to slide my skirt/dress up enough to show the right amount of lace from my slip when seated. The big difference today is the height of heals. I don't remember ever wearing more than a 3" heel and usually a 2". Unlike today with the 5" heels.

[heather ann martin]

I love 50's fashions

[kellyanne]

I love 50's fashions.

I have 3 1940s dresses from this retailer , they have 1950s styles.
I found them of sound value and they are all 5 + years old now with no surprises.




http://www.stopstaringclothing.com/

Hope that helps

Sincerely,

Kelly Anne

[Aaron Zwidling]

I mostly love the look and shape of the dresses and especially the full skirts, but I'm not crazy about any of the styles from that era involving putting a collar on a dress. I would more say I love the fit and flare look that became popular back then, but updated with some of the more modern materials and necklines.

[Ally 2112]

I have embraced the 50,s look also mostly in the form of square dance dresses but to me they look just like something June Cleaver would wear petticoats and all

[CherylFlint]

Don't neglect the thrift and consignment stores.
Beauty Trends has nice wigs for honest prices.
Buy comfortable shoes.
Buy quality makeup.
I also like that 1950's look and you can pull it off if you don't go overboard. Usually first time CD's always go for too much too soon, so spend your money wisely.
Also check out church thrift stores and Goodwill and the Salvation Army thrift stores. You can buy ALL of your outerwear AND jewelry at these stores and save tons of money.

[CherylFlint]

To Stephanie47,
YES! Me too!