My Best Look Ever...

[Etienne]

After going through 149 pages on eBay today of vintage clothing:eusa_doh: , I was wondering how people would answer this question: Of all the clothes and styles you've ever worn, how would you describe your favorite or best look EVER? Tell us what the outfit looked like, the accessories you wore with it, and maybe even where you were going! Also, describe your hair, make-up, etc. Hopefully, it made you feel REALLY wonderful!

I think mine would be a creamy, off-white shirtwaist dress I wore in my 20's as a working gal. It was very fitted, with a tiny waist, buttoned down the front, belted, and had a generous collar that stood up just so. I wore it with various shoe colors, but I loved it with brown snakeskin heels, brown purse and belt, and some carved bone and wood beads and bracelet. I wore my hair shoulder length and wavy and always wore enough make-up and red lipstick to balance out my dark hair and fair skin. On those work days I was very productive!

 

[Lady Day]

I think Im in it right now.
My vintage obsession is in its full blossom, so to speak. Im really taking it whole, and I feel so good about it.

I guess Im lucky enough to know it and be so independent in my choices at my age.

As far as cool outfits, Id say my 50s black eyelet dress with the red inlays that I made. LOVE that thing

LD

 

[CanadaDoll]

I'd have to say mine is a toss between a repro black and white polka dot dress with eyelet lace details and cute little pockets, with a pair of black T-strap stilletos, with snake skin details.
Or my vintage inspired Black shirtwaist dress, with red mule sandals.

I always feel so cute in those two

 

[NicolettaRose]

Wow....I have a lot of great day looks. It really depends on what era I am going for since in my closet I have everything from Victorian to late 1950's. With vintage clothing, I think less is more, elegance is refusal, as Coco said. But here are some of the top ones I can think of. Some of my favorite looks are the most simple

<---------One is this out fit right here in my avatar, it's a chocolate brown art deco styled 1930's dress with a contrasting white cuff worn with a little 1930's hat.

Another is a blood red long sleeved 1940's dress I have, with beautiful pintucking detail, covered over by a silky 1940's jacket that is based off an Edwardian/Victorian design worn with a simple strand of pearls.

Another is a black silk-satin dropped waist dress from the 1920's, with pintucking detail, and a strip of clear rhinestones and down one seam of the dress, with a black cloche, a simple strand of pearls and blood red lips.

Another is a little late 1950's sundress with a sailor color and floral print, with a pink matching cardigan, a white pair of vintage shoes, a strand of pearls, and a whicker purse!-perfect for spring!!

 

[Matt Deckard]

I don't think I've ever had my best look.

 

[pigeon toe]

One of my favorites, because of it's simplicity, is a wool, plaid (light grey, light pink and light blue), self-pleated skirt, paired with a light blue, knit sweater shirt from Forever 21 (it has really vintage-inspired detailing), with a vintage belt in a matching blue, a girdle, beige self-seamed stockings and dark brown Aerosoles faux Mexican tooled heels.

That was a really long sentence!

The last time I wore it was at the Santa Monica Vintage Expo this past weekend, and I just wore my hair in curls pinned back with a gold 1940's swallow barette. I wore an old faux diamond bracelet as well. For my makeup I just did the usual, blush, Coty Powder, a little Benefit High Beam on my lids, mascara and Mac Retro Matte Ruby Woo on my lips.

Simple, but really comfortable and super cute.

 

[Grace]

My 'lobster' dress. It's a 50s strapless party dress, cream colored taffeta with a sheer overlay that's flocked with lobsters. Shelf bust, with ruffles spilling out the top.
I wore it on our Alaska cruise last summer, on seafood night, no less. worn with pearls, a skinny black belt, and black heels. I love taht dress, I can't wait to wear it again!!

 

[Etienne]

I am loving this--reading all of your descriptions!! Your outfits sound adorable! Any pictures out there???! (And, Mr. Deckard, I don't believe a word of it!)

 

[CanadaDoll]

I don't think I've ever had my best look.

From the pictures I've seen Matt I'd say you never look anything other than suave.

 

[BegintheBeguine]

I don't think I've ever had my best look.

It would have to involve a monocle.

 

[Daisy Buchanan]

I don't think I've ever had my best look.

Everyday you look your best

I don't know if I have a best look, but I do have 2 favorite outfits.

The first is a late 30's blue dress. It has a pink bow at the neckline with little rhinestones at the knot, pink trim and a patent leather blue belt. It's such a fun dress. It is cut in that way that 30's dresses were cut, meant to show the curves. I wear it with a pair of patent leather navy platforms and matching handbag. I don't wear too much jewelry with it, for the rhinestones at the neck are plenty sparkle for me.

My second favorite outfit is a navy blue silk beaded shin length dress dated to about 1918. It is such an amazing dress, it has the built in corset. The detail on this dress is so incredible. It is in pristine condition, not a bead is missing, I don't think it was worn more than once, if it had been worn at all. I bought it from a vintage shop that specialized in 60's and 70's clothing. When I asked the woman who owned the shop if she had any vintage from an earlier era, she said she had a few dresses in her back room that she didn't put out because her clientele weren't interested in clothes from said era. She brought out 2 gowns and the blue silk dress. All three pieces were in perfect condition. One was a black lace gown from the 30's, the intricate straps were thousands of crystals and it has a matching bolero. She gave me the three gowns for $110!! I basically threw the cash at her and ran out of the store before she had the chance to realize what she had just lost. Each dress I got was worth much more than the total I had paid for all three of them. So, maybe this blue silk dress is my favorite because I got it for such a steal!

I must say that out of all the times I've dressed vintage, my favorite time to dress is for a formal event. I love the glamour and elegance of gowns from the thirties. I've found myself searching for fundraisers in Boston to go to, just so I can wear a vintage gown.
Lately, when I actually have some place to go, my day wear has been Stop Staring dresses. With the few extra pounds I've been lugging around these dresses have been the best. They show off my curves and they fit my body type perfectly. I'm not all that fond of the material, and I know a lot of you gals here aren't either. But, it actually works really well for me. They stretch and hug at all the right places. Paired with a pair of FF stockings and a cute pair of peep toes, I have a lot of fun wearing these dresses.

I'm still looking for the perfect vintage day dress that has the glamorous flare that I like so much in thirties wear. I love my navy dress with the pink bow, but it's really a bit too dressy for day wear.
Wow, what a fun thread. Not only is it making me remember dresses stuffed in the back of the closet that I'd forgotten about, but it's also putting me in the mood to shop!

Here are some pics. Please Pardon my appearance from the neck up. The day these pictures were taken, I just threw on the dresses, didn't bother with the hair and make-up thing! Hemingway Jones was nice enough to do this little photo shoot for me, but he really didn't have the patience to wait for me to get all gussied up And yes, I know the hat is all wrong, but it looked a lot better than my hair!!

 

[jitterbugdoll]

It's so hard to choose, as I have so many ensembles that I adore

But, one of my favorites is a 1940s crepe cocktail dress with a cream surplice bodice studded with rhinestones and a black pencil skirt that hugs every curve. I have worn this dress on several occasions, and it never fails to make me feel utterly glamorous and standout. I pair it with black fully fashioned stockings, black suede 1940s heels that tie around the ankles, and rhinestone jewelry to match.
I don't have a full length shot, but I did have some great film noir portraits taken in this dress by Jim Ferreira:

For daywear, one of my favorites is a mid-30s yellow crepe dress with hand embroidered polka dots in lime green, chocolate brown, and cream. I wear it with a woven yellow belt to nip in the waist, a brooch of Venetian glass oranges and blossoms, stockings, and a pair of 1950s brown suede "sweater" pumps. The sunny color is perfect for spring, and always puts me in a happy mood.

 

[Etienne]

Wow, Daisy, your dresses are magnificent! And you don't look like you have a spare pound on you anywhere! LOVE that first photo!!--TOO cute!

And JBD, I don't think you ever take a bad picture! Your clothes look fantastic on you and you clearly have very good taste!! You make each entire outfit look stunning!!

Pictures are worth a thousand words here! It is so incredible to view these delightful photos. Keep 'em coming!

 

[Girl Friday]

JitterbugDoll, that black and white photo is awesome! It was lit perfectly, totally looks like a photo from the golden era. :eusa_clap

 

[Daisy Buchanan]

Wow, Daisy, your dresses are magnificent! And you don't look like you have a spare pound on you anywhere! LOVE that first photo!!--TOO cute!

And JBD, I don't think you ever take a bad picture! Your clothes look fantastic on you and you clearly have very good taste!! You make each entire outfit look stunning!!

Pictures are worth a thousand words here! It is so incredible to view these delightful photos. Keep 'em coming!

Thank You!! You just made my day

 

[jitterbugdoll]

Thank you Etienne and Girl Friday

 

[Tough Cookie]

I have to add my voice to the adoring Jitterbugdoll clamor, those are great! :eusa_clap

May I ask the name of the photographer for both, but especially for the b&w?

 

[jitterbugdoll]

I have to add my voice to the adoring Jitterbugdoll clamor, those are great!

May I ask the name of the photographer for both, but especially for the b&w?

Thank you, Tough Cookie! The black and white photo was taken by Jim Ferreira; he posts on the Lounge as FilmNoirPhotos. The color pic was taken by a local photographer in Phoenix.

 

[LadyDeWinter]

Everyday you look your best

Wow, Daisy. You look so sweet especially in the blue dress with the hat :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[LadyDeWinter]

Jitterbugdoll, that black and white photo is just fantastic. You look gorgeous.