Espadrille question

[fortworthgal]

We're going to a hangar dance this weekend and (for once) I'm going 40s civvies instead of a uniform. I'm wearing a silk Hawaiian print dress, bakelite jewelry, big flower in hair, and I want to wear my Remix black peeptoe espadrilles (mine are black not green):

So here's my question - is it okay to wear seamed nylons with these? Or would bare legs be more appropriate? Also, are these appropriate to wear with an outfit like this for a dance, or should I go with more standard pumps?

Sorry if this seems like a silly question, I've just always gone bare-legged and worn espadrilles with more casual stuff... but I think they'd really go well with my "tropical" theme look, and I'm wondering if stockings would be better to complete the look and dress it up a bit.

Thanks!

 

[Blondie]

Bare legged !
Espadrilles are for a more casual look.
Make sure you post some pics.

 

[fortworthgal]

Hmm, okay. So do you think they would be okay for a dance, then?

 

[ShooShooBaby]

i think it sounds like the espadrilles would look very appropriate with the dress! and bare legs, definitely. make sure you post pics!

 

[Blondie]

YES ! You will look like a Hawaiian Honey , i think the whole outfit sounds adorable , and espradilles will look great.

 

[epr25]

I agree bare legged. I think it will look really cute and great for this time of year!

 

[Lauren]

It really depends...
I know it was really popular back then to go bare legged with sandals in summer, but I read in a McCall magazine from the late thirties that it was considered "vulgar" by many.

But I'd go bare-legged. Too darn hot and no one is really going to know the difference.

 

[fortworthgal]

Okay, it is going to be hot for sure, so I think I'll just go with bare legs. I doubt anyone would even be able to see the stockings anyway. Thanks!!!

I'll be sure to post photos after the event.

 

[Aurora]

I know I'm a bit late to join this discussion, but if you did want to wear stockings, but didn't - If that makes any sense (!), you could always draw the seam up the back of your leg? Or was that just a British thing??

Ignore me - Have a fab time

 

[Lady Day]

Youre going 40s, go bare leg

Like Aurora said, you could 'paint' your legs...

LD

 

[fortworthgal]

I thought about leg makeup as that would be totally authentic! But I've always wondered how one would do it properly and have it stay on without smudging during dancing, sitting and crossing one's legs, etc? The dance is in an open-air hangar in East Texas so it will be warm. lol Suggestions?

 

[fortworthgal]

Also, I was just reading the stocking thread... what about a pair of finely-woven nude fishnets? Would those be appropriate?

 

[Mrs. Merl]

Sorry, I won't be any help, but I am so glad you asked the question about stockings and espadrilles. I have a similar conundrum and you have been helpful without even meaning to be so!! Thank you fortworthgal!!! (By the way I think your outfit sounds great! Can't wait to see pictures!~)

 

[KittyT]

I thought about leg makeup as that would be totally authentic! But I've always wondered how one would do it properly and have it stay on without smudging during dancing, sitting and crossing one's legs, etc? The dance is in an open-air hangar in East Texas so it will be warm. lol Suggestions?

Use the modern spray-on leg makeup.

 

[fortworthgal]

Well, my wardrobe for Saturday has now changed. To make a long story short, the dress I'd originally wanted to wear - a red 1940s cotton one - ended up coming back from the seamstress early, so a friend is going to wear the Hawaiian print ensemble instead. She's out shopping for espadrilles today. lol I'm going with patriotic red, white & blue, with the red dress, navy blue pumps, and red/white/blue bakelite jewelry.

I'll be sure to take plenty of pictures to share!

 

[Darhling]

Well, my wardrobe for Saturday has now changed. To make a long story short, the dress I'd originally wanted to wear - a red 1940s cotton one - ended up coming back from the seamstress early, so a friend is going to wear the Hawaiian print ensemble instead. She's out shopping for espadrilles today. lol I'm going with patriotic red, white & blue, with the red dress, navy blue pumps, and red/white/blue bakelite jewelry.

I'll be sure to take plenty of pictures to share!

sounds beautiful!

 

[fortworthgal]

We didn't take many photos, but here is one from said event:

The Hawaiian dress is the one I was originally intending to wear, but I'm in the red.

Just for giggles, here's a shot of us dancing. We were the *only* couple on the floor! I did have seamed stockings on, but they didn't show up in this photo. I'm also disappointed you can't really see my red/white/blue bakelite bangles very well, or my "V for Victory" pin! Oh well. Sadly, in this photo, the rear strap of one of my shoes had already broken:

 

[KittyT]

Great outfit, Forthworthgal!

Is that Hawaiian dress vintage? It looks very 80s to me, both in the cut and the fabric design.

 

[texasgirl]

Great photos! Love your red dress!!!

 

[fortworthgal]

Great outfit, Forthworthgal!

Is that Hawaiian dress vintage? It looks very 80s to me, both in the cut and the fabric design.

No, it is "vintage inspired" 80s-does-40s. It looks really cute when paired with more vintage accessories.

I should also add that we really lucked out on the weather. A line of thunderstorms (including hail) rolled through as we were about to leave the hotel for the dance, and dropped the temperature for the evening down to around 65 degrees! Once the bad weather was past, it was extremely pleasant inside the hangar.