What Is The Wardrobe Choice for a Vamp?

[dahliaoleander]

I've seen, things for day to day college girls, 50's housewives, and regular ladies in general. But I have one question for the ladies of this forum: What is your idea of the day to day wardrobe staples for a bombshell? Or a vamp?

What do you see being in a full-time bombshell or a part-time vamp's closet?

How much is too much? OF course barely there clothing is obvious!

What is your idea of the perfect amount of vampyness?

BTW: Please post pics and links of examples if you have any.

worthlesswithoutpics

 

[kamikat]

I think it depends on if you're talking modern vamp or historical vamp. Most of the vintage patterns I have that I consider vampy, don't show as much skin as the modern reproduction clothing.

the blue version of this dress

Also, none of the "wiggle" dresses or pencil skirts in my pattern collection are tapered, as modern reproductions are. They are straight skirts.
The red dress here is typical vamp, but not alot of skin and the skirt isn't skin tight. It's a bit tapered and shorter, but it is a 60's dress.

Compare that to modern reproduction dresses, which usually show more skin and are much tighter

 

[dahliaoleander]

I agree.

But really I think its also in how its carried off.

In my opinion the lopard dress shows about as much skin as the girl in the blue wiggle dress, but the blue-girl is smiling demurely, while leopard-girl is snarling in an almost Elvis like come-hither way.

What sparked this thread was the book "The Bombshell Manual of Style" (Which I can't put down)

 

[CherryRed]

First thing that comes to mind for me is Marilyn in Niagara. Notice some show much more skin than others but the more covered ones still say it all!

 

[Inky]

I have nothing to add except good grief, Marilyn still takes my breath away when I see her photos.

 

[mike]

I wouldn't suggest attempting the look in colder climates

 

[imoldfashioned]

I adore this pattern--the double jackets are killer. I agree with your thoughts on less skin historically too.

 

[Paisley]

In Gilda, Rita Hayworth's dress (except for the walking slit) is no more revealing than a typical modern bridal gown:

Part of glamor is mystery. I'm not sure why this is, nor do I want to preach a sermon on modesty. But a confident yet vulnerable woman who makes herself beautiful will stand out among the muffin tops.

ETA: I think you have to look like you aren't trying too hard. Putting on the dog for a night on the town is good. Wearing high heels to a baseball game is trying too hard.

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

Great thread!

First thing that comes to mind for me is Marilyn in Niagara. Notice some show much more skin than others but the more covered ones still say it all!

Man, I would kill for this outfit.

I definitely prefer the vamp style. I'm constantly on the lookout for that perfect wiggle dress, sweater, or pencil skirt.

 

[kamikat]

Part of glamor is mystery. I'm not sure why this is, nor do I want to preach a sermon on modesty. But a confident yet vulnerable woman who makes herself beautiful will stand out among the muffin tops.

ETA: I think you have to look like you aren't trying too hard. Putting on the dog for a night on the town is good. Wearing high heels to a baseball game is trying too hard.

I think modesty is only part of the equation. I've seen revealing dresses in old catalogs/magazines and dresses patterns. They're always described as a beach dress, party dress, play dress ect. I think even into the 50's, clothing choices were controlled by time or occasion. You wouldn't wear bare shoulders to morning tea. If you watch Mad Men, Joan is certainly the vamp, but her office attire is perfectly acceptable for the office and her party attire is definitely party attire. What I commonly see now, in ladies going for the vamp look, are outfits that would have been party attire worn as daily wear.

 

[Mojito]

Thanks for including Theda, Mike - she is the original vamp (although one could say that the prototype appears in literature and art long, long before, and was a bit of a fin-de-siecle favourite). She created the look herself, too - and it resonates to this day, in myriad permutations.

She wore rather more clothes in the movie that established The Vamp, Am Fool There Was (1915):

Theda in centre with striped dress.

The Vamp in evening wear

Pale makeup, dark kohl rimmed eyes...one can bet those lips were scarlet!

Other classic vamps include Nita Naldi, who vamped Valentino perfectly in Blood and Sand, luring him away from his wife (as Vamps do). There was a great seduction scene, with Nita (as Donna Sol) surrounded with exotic trappings of luxury. She toys with Rudy before finally discarding him:

 

[Pink Dahlia]

To be a bit snarky...I bet you own this pattern don't you. Lucky.

P.S. - The look on her face says "You know my outfit is better than yours!"

 

[Heather]

I have nothing to add except good grief, Marilyn still takes my breath away when I see her photos.

I know, right!!

 

[just_me]

First thing that comes to mind for me is Marilyn in Niagara. Notice some show much more skin than others but the more covered ones still say it all!

All the pictures of her are gorgeous, but this one is especially so and shows the least amount of skin. :eusa_clap

 

[Amy Jeanne]

What "Vamp" means to me...

Lots of veil-y fabric swathed around the body, exagerated hourglass figure, fans and nets in the hair, a dark, "exotic" look. Heavy eyes and a quiet, sneaky demeanor are also a must.

 

[Tikismall]

<a href="http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i40/xandriajane/?action=view&current=baker_jo1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i40/xandriajane/baker_jo1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

I usually think of late 20's style and the 1930's Vionnet gowns.
And man-eaters ala Josephine Baker

 

[HadleyH]

Totally agree, mike, Mojito, Amy Jeanne. Theda Bara and Nita Naldi were the original items, they supplied the references.



Here a smoldering headshot of Nita Naldi, the "Female Valentino"

 

[Paisley]

One difference I see between the teens/20s vamps and the 40s/50 vamps is the second group looks friendly, happy and relaxed. The first group looks hard as nails.

 

[Tomasso]

Grace Jones....

Vamp with a capital V.

But really, it was a 20's thing.

 

[Esme]

I LOVE that blue suit on Marilyn!!!