Rewind To The 50s

I've really been getting into 50s style dresses lately. Last month I bought the Marilyn Monroe dvd collection which includes 8 of her films.

from 'The Seven Year Itch' (1955)

I bought the collection at JB HI FI for only $16!

I love them and I love the clothes! So it's a good thing that 50s inspired looks have been featured across runways for spring/summer 2011 as well as appearing in my favourite stores so I can grab them.

The 50s were all about being super feminine so the focus was on boobs, tiny waists and big hips.

 

Betty Grable, Lauren Bacall and Marilyn Monroe in 'How to Marry a Millionaire' (1953)

50's inspired dresses

Forever news collection includes full skirts and prints, giving the dresses a classy 50s housewife look.

Forever New Valerie corsage dress $79.95

Forever New Agnes Polkadot dress $99.95

Forever New Floral prom dress with sash $129.95

Bardot ruched and pleat dress $129.95

 Valleygirl Metallic Strapless dress $24.95 from $34.95

Topshop Scoop back dress by Annie Greenabelle 61 pounds (AUD $97.95)

In Sportsgirl 50's Hazel dress, Betts shoes

Retail Therapy

I haven't done a post lately because it seems all my time has been spent either shopping ...or at work helping other people shop (where I also tend to buy a lot for myself). The last few weeks have been filled with my post Christmas purchases and items for my new year wardrobe. I even needed to purchase a chest of draws from Ikea, having filled my whole wardrobe. Every time I clean out my wardrobe...I seem to make more new purchases than those I'm getting rid of!

There are always a lot of sales this time of year and I can't resist. But I think of it as buying myself late Christmas presents after I've spent money on family and friends.

Here's a few of my recent buys.

Valleygirl dress for only $19.95 - it has lace at the back which you can see here.

Sportsgirl slouchy cardi in camel $59.95

Sportsgirl spooky pooky owl necklace $16.95

I thought the print on the dress was cute and it was so cheap I couldn't not buy it. I love the pearl eyes of the owl, kinda freaky but somehow cute at the same time.



I thought it was time for new black heels I can wear with anything since they never last me long (note to self: don't fall down stairs at a club in my new heels and ruin them)

Betts Suzie Platforms $76.95 from $109.95

Sportsgirl Ruffle Pocket Dress $89.95

I love paisley and it's not very common in formal dresses... and ofcourse I love the pockets.

Sportsgirl jumper - Intarsia pullover $79.95

- worn with vintage pendant

Glassons denim shorts $29.95

Sportsgirl Tilly's Lace Shirt in slate $89.95

worn with Sportsgirl hope necklace (old)

Dotti Dita Strapless Dress $49.95 from $69.95

Dotti had a one day sale last week where it was another 50% off sale items so I actually nabbed this dress for only $25.

I also found this cute skirt for only $15!
Now it's $29.95 and was originally $49.95

Dotti Bow Front Skirt

Worn with Bardot top from Myer $29.95

Sportsgirl Sunnies $39.95

Sportsgirl Tribal shirt tail skirt $79.95

Sportsgirl Intrepid necklace $24.95

At first I wasn't sure about this skirt because I've never really worn long skirts and wasn't sure if I liked it being longer in the back (what Kelly Osbourne would call 'the mullet dress') but I think this one grew on me because I really like it now.

Little Black Lace

If you're like me and love the show Fashion Police you'll know what I mean when I talk about their section 'Gotta have it or make it stop' where they discuss if current trends are hot or not (by the way if you don't watch the show, get on it!). This week the hosts discussed lace and it seems they all agreed that it's great when done in the right way but some just don't understand how to make it classy and hot rather than trashy or old lady.
They agreed that the romantic looking lace is lovely and definitely a must, however skanky and tacky lace is a no no.

If you don't have channel E then check out the article on lace on their website here. The good part about the show is unlike other US shows that air down here months later...we get it hours after it's on!


We saw lace quite a bit throughout this year and I have a few lace dresses I bought myself months ago, however it seems lace isn't leaving us anytime soon since a lot of designers have included it in recent collections as well as celebs working the look (and some not working).


Emma Watson in Rafael Lopez at the Harry Potter and the deathly hallows part one premiere

I think she looks great and the look would of been completely different on another person. Having the bra showing wouldn't of worked with someone with double Ds because they would of looked far more trashy than elegant like Emma. Plus she has the short hair now...so I think she needs to have sexier looks like this so she doesn't look butch.


Kirsten Dunst in Valentino at the All Good Things premiere

I'm not really feeling this look on her..I don't know if it's the sleeves or the top worn underneath but it looks too old on her. I understand she didn't want her boobs hanging out like they had on the runway..but couldn't she of just picked another dress from his collection?

Here's the look when it was on the runway for Valentino Spring 2011 ready to wear collection, the whole collection can be viewed here.

Look 26

Valentinos Spring 2011 RTW collection was filled with lace dresses. One of which, Jessica Alba recently wore to the Trevor Live Event.

Jessica Alba is looking sweet in look 25 of the collection. I'm glad she didn't wear tights with this one...she needs to show a little skin.. and I'm sure Justin Long agrees.

The same look on the runway

 Stella McCartney's resort 2011 collection includes various lace looks. A few are shown below.

Look 22

Look 12

This is my favourite look from the collection. It looks more youthful and fun, I love the colour and the one shoulder. 

Look 31

 Look 9

Me in a black lace dress I bought around June/July...seems l might still be able to get away with wearing it.

worn with sportsgirl necklace and bracelets

Sportsgirl Deco lace dress $149.95

I love that this lace makes such a statement since it's so bold compared to the usual floral lace.

Valleygirl lace frilled dress $14.95

Dotti Vixen lace stripe top $39.95

If you don't feel like wearing black lace, here's a couple of options

Sportsgirl lace jacket $89.95

Valleygirl lace sleeveless top $9.95

White lace gives a romantic look which is great for summertime.

Coral Is Heating Up Summer

I'm loving that coral has been popping up everywhere lately. After us having the longest winter ever here in Melbourne I can't wait to start wearing warmer colours. 

Rachel Roy included coral in some of her pieces for the 2010 Resort collection out earlier this year, it seems the colour has finally made it down here in time for our warmer months.

 

Most stores have some sort of coral coloured pieces for this season, so there's a lot of options for styles and prices.

Here's a few pieces currently in stores -

Sportsgirl Trifecta mini dress in coral $99.95

 

http://www.sportsgirl.com.au/

This dress has pockets at the front and a mid v back. I love when dresses come with surprise pockets, makes it a bit more interesting.

Forever New Abrianna frill racer back dress $79.95

http://www.forevernew.com.au/

 Valleygirl Zip front party dress with ruffle detailing $14.95

http://www.valleygirl.com.au/

I like zip details on almost anything and this price is basically a steal.

Sportsgirl Ella's tee in coral $39.95

 

http://www.sportsgirl.com.au/

An option if you want to wear coral in a casual way. 

Bardot Frill playsuit $69.95

http://www.bardot.com.au/store/

Blake Lively in Suno wide leg pants in summer coral from the Spring/Summer 2010 collection, for the first episode of season 4 of Gossip Girl, filmed in Paris.

Personally, this is how I would not wear coral. I like the colour but it's better suited for other pieces. Bright coral along with the widest leg pants I've seen since Rachel Zoe's makes them look a bit clownish. I would usually say that Blake Lively can look good in anything and she looks amazing but I find these a little unflattering. But hey, atleast she IS wearing pants. Maybe we should blame Gossip Girl though. I'm sure some people love these but I'm not feeling it.