Pink Dress: Retro Style

fitted dress

I’m going retro…

For my first post in the 3-part series featuring 3 different looks with this fitted, tailored pink dress, I decided to go retro. And by retro I mean the early 60’s Mad Men style: the sexy, fitted but modest dresses, ladylike accessories, the tidy hairdos, the pearls…  I don’t often dress like that, though. For starters, I have serious doubts whether I can pull off ladylike. Convincingly, I mean.

retro dress 40+

Let’s be honest, there’s nothing modest or subdued about me: I swear (a lot), express myself in no uncertain terms, and have an uncanny tendency to fall over my own feet (especially on the extremely rare occasions when I’m wearing heels). And the tidy hairdo bit… well, I blame my genes. I’ve tried just about everything possible to tame my hair (without destroying it in the process), and I’ve sort of settled for slightly messy. My hair has a mind of it own, and a good hair day is a day when I and my hair are in agreement on the day’s ‘look’… For the record, I do have a foolproof method of getting that wavy, 40’s movie star look: it involves a big round brush, a hairdryer and a sauna. Needless to say, the sauna was not available when these photos were taken…

Anyway, This is a look I have actually worn to work (though not this particular dress; it’s a bit too low-cut). A fitted dress and a cropped cashmere cardigan was sort of a signature winter look for me a couple of years ago (although usually with boots instead of shoes), but I have worn it less more recently. It’s because these sort of dresses are a bit too high-maintenance: they must be dry-cleaned, and I’m getting a bit too lazy for that.

dress

I am wearing:

dress: L.K.Bennett (old) / Cardigan: Brora (similar) /bag: Michael Kors (old) / shoes: Clarks (old) / necklace: Snö of Sweden (old), brooch: Arlequin Máscaras, Barcelona

And the other two looks featuring this dress? I’m thinking less modest, more glamour, maybe a bit posh, too… We’ll get back to that.

Do you like retro looks?

Tiina

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20 Comments

  1. Suzanne Carillo
    1 March 2015 / 12:11 am

    Va va voom! : ) bisousSuzanne

    • Tiina L
      3 March 2015 / 8:34 am

      Thanks! 🙂

  2. dan
    2 March 2015 / 8:01 am

    What a pity you don't wear the dress often! It is lovely on you!! But , of course, there must be a feeling between dress and personality. That shade of pink goes very well with the grey cardigan!

    • Tiina L
      3 March 2015 / 8:37 am

      Thanks, Dan. Actually, the cardigan is sort of greyish green, or very light pastel green… the indoor lighting makes all the colours a bit strange.

  3. Jill James
    2 March 2015 / 10:03 am

    Tiina, for times when only a dress will do this one is perfect, the cut, colour,really just right.That said I know what you mean about dry clean only garments,just too much trouble. I like the idea of vintage but find as I get older some styles just no longer work.

    • Tiina L
      3 March 2015 / 8:39 am

      Thanks, Jill. I love this dress, and maybe I should wear it more often. After all, what's the point of having nice clothes if you never wear them?

  4. Maggie Dallospedale
    2 March 2015 / 12:09 pm

    Hi sweetieso elegant style.I love this dressKissesMaggie Dallospedale Fashion diary – Fashion blog

    • Tiina L
      3 March 2015 / 8:39 am

      Thanks, Maggie.

  5. Mrs C
    2 March 2015 / 1:32 pm

    Yup, now after the second shot, I can see the pink. I saw this dress red in the beginning on Instagram. The cut and color of the dress suits you really well, Tiina

    • Tiina L
      3 March 2015 / 8:40 am

      Thanks, I have a closet full of dresses like this, can you believe it? I just haven't worn them for a while, just wasn't in the mood, I guess.

  6. Retroline Carolin
    2 March 2015 / 3:57 pm

    That's a very beautiful outfit, you look very nice!LG Carolin

    • Tiina L
      3 March 2015 / 8:41 am

      Thanks, Carolin.

  7. Glenda
    2 March 2015 / 8:51 pm

    Ladylike with a hint of tigress. Wow, this is a great look. I'm drooling over the necklace. It's so cool.

    • Tiina L
      3 March 2015 / 8:42 am

      Thanks, Glenda. I've actually worn the necklace on the blog so many times that I've lost count, It's one of my favourites, and it goes with anything.

  8. Natalia Lialina
    2 March 2015 / 11:31 pm

    Yes, I love retro looks and love this one on you SO VERY MUCH, Tiina – it might be my favorite of yours! That last photo is gorgeous, flirty, feminine, great! The whole photo session is wonderful, love seeing corners of your home. I like that you have your art on the walls! That pretty pin is so adorable – what is it? Seems like it could be from our childhood years, from fairy tales or something. xxx

    • Tiina L
      3 March 2015 / 8:47 am

      Thanks, Natalia. I really like this type of a dress, too. We shot the photos in our house in England, and yes, I put some of my cartoon pictures on the walls… You're so perceptive!

  9. ANA MARIA
    3 March 2015 / 8:25 am

    You look beautiful, a real lady. Kisses.

    • Tiina L
      3 March 2015 / 8:47 am

      Ah, thank you, Ana Maria!

  10. Jasmine Rabuñal Barrientos
    3 March 2015 / 4:41 pm

    Fabulous retro look. I'm looking forward to seen the other two looks in that dress.Jasmine xx

    • Tiina L
      3 March 2015 / 6:15 pm

      Thanks, Jasmine.

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