Back to the Blitz, 1940s pleated dress and bag

To the sound of air raid sirens, I marched down the steps of Aldywch tube station with 50 other people, to the safety of the train platforms deep under London.  Once there, we were treated to a bit of am-dram on a 1938 tube train (my favourite year at the moment since I am writing a time-slip novel set partly then!), but I struggled to pay attention - there were too many marvellous things to look at (retro posters encased in lovely wooden frames; cute little louvres on the train to let in the air; gorgeous art deco detailing along the platform). 

For this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (well...I confess we kept forgetting we were in a disused tube station for the most part, since it looked like plenty of other tube stations we pass through every day!), I dressed up in a prim little 1940s woollen dress with pleated skirt, and completed the look with a lovely vintage leather bag and beret.

Apart from the actors, I was the most overdressed person on the platform, and the only one who went against the dress code to wear heels (I didn't read the part about the 150 steps).  But as it was pointed out to me, even in war time it's important that women make an effort to look good!

Found at: Dress -Vintage at Goodwood Festival; Bag - Cancer Research, Turnpike Lane.
Price: Dress - £40.00; Bag - £10.00.
Wearability factor: 4/5 (man that wool is itchy: you need plenty of demure undergarments underneath to avoid scratching all night).
Accessorise with: gas mask, thick woollen stocking, practical brown pumps.

Red Hot 1940s Dress

I took this little red 1940s dress for a spin at All Star Lanes bowling alley, where we looked flash despite being a bit dated – ASB is a ‘50s themed establishment playing ‘80s music (nope, we didn’t get it either!). I teamed it with a pair of pearlescent Mary Janes, which of course I was required to relinquish at the counter in exchange for some chunky black lace-ups. Hence, I’m sans shoes in these pictures.

To really do this dress justice, I went for a full vintage look by putting into practice the lessons I learned recently at Lipstick & Curls' hair and makeup class. Remarkably, my bold red lipstick stayed in place all evening (but then, I wasn’t kissing any chaps!).

The dress is a made from a deep red, raised pattern fabric. It has a little collar, sleeves that turn up at the ends, and gold button detailing on the bust. I like to wear it with the stud done up at the throat so that you only catch a glimpse of cleavage – cheeky!

Found at: Crouch End charity shop
Price: £12.00 (plus £10.00 to have some of the seams re-sewn)
Wearability factor: 9/10
Accessorise with: Flat Mary Janes so you can dance all night; a 1940s hairstyle courtesy of hot sticks; the new Maybelline 'Fatal Red' lipstick.

1950s Apricot Prom Dress

I wafted into dinner at chef Nuno Mendes' home in this beautiful apricot prom confection on the weekend.

Nuno is trialling menus for his new Bethnal Green restaurant which is due to open later this year - for now, guests can sample a taster menu of about 15 courses, all of which Nuno prepares in front of you in his open-plan converted warehouse.

This dress is magical. With its contrasting sturdy/floaty fabrics it almost shouldn't work, yet somehow does. I love the thick linen bodice and the dainty hand-stitched beads which adorn it. The peachy, soft silk skirt which swirls out from pleats at the waist almost catches me by surprise every time I move.

It's an incredibly feminine dress; the fragile silk and delicate beading require one to move about with grace and poise, lest any part of it catch on something and crumble!
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Found at: Blackout II, Endell Street Covent Garden, London.
Price: £50.00
Usability Factor: 2/5 (alas, it is now too fragile for frequent wear)
Accessorise with: Seamed 40s stockings and little red pumps.
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Vintage 1950s prom dress

I have a confession to make: in order to get my hands on this gorgeous dress, I committed a cardinal sin and broke my vow to never purchase items in 'proper' vintage shops. But I couldn't resist its creamy sheen and gorgeous stitched detailing. So far, it's had two outings: dinner at an Underground restaurant, where we were papped for Ms Marmite Lover's blog, and The Blonde and the Beast Last Tuesday Society's masked ball. Underneath, a layer of tulle puffs the skirt out and makes me feel like one of those miniature plastic ballerinas twirling on a circle of glass inside the lid of a girl's jewellery box.

Found at: Blackout II, Endell Street, Covent Garden

Usability Factor: 5/5

Accessorise with: Big pearl drop earrings, peachy-coloured Venetian mask for evening.