Day 5: The Bettie Page Dress for Veteran's Day

Today in the US, it is Veteran's Day- a day which celebrates those who have served in the US Military. To be patriotic, I thought I would wear this uniform inspired retro piece. A few months back I was shopping on Haight St. in San Francisco, and stumbled across the Bettie Page store. It was a very nice surprise to find that instead of being stocked with retro novelties, it was full of well constructed vintage reproduction pieces. I think I must have spent an hour and a half in there trying on a variety of dresses, skirts and pants (oh, I can't wait to show you the pants!).  I have to say that I love this dress, the cut is gentle on the curves and flattering in a proper, "more is more" kind of way. For fun, I thought I'd give myself bangs today. Instead of rolling them up tight and more authentically, I thought it looked better pulled out in an '80's, full and exaggerated way.

I must add a bit to that thing I wrote earlier about curves. I think that a lot of maintaining a nice and curvy look starts in the layers beneath a wardrobe. I am wearing, (and often do wear) everything from hosiery and slips, to a vintage corset. My corsets were passed down to me from my mother sometime in my teenaged years, and I'm convinced that my most favorite one has the strength to turn a 32 inch waist into a 26 inch waist if it had to. I'm exaggerating about that, but in all seriousness it was built tough, durable, and nothing - not the boning, hook-and-eyes, nor metal zipper have buckled in its years of use. I have tried, rather unsuccessfully, to find a comparable modern piece, so if you are one of those ladies who is fortunate enough to have found one to add to your "under-thing" collection, please treasure it! 

Last but not least, if you have a chance to thank a Veteran for his or her service today, please do!

Outfit Details:

Dress: Bettie Page Store

Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Rings: Vintage and my high school class ring

Earrings: Nordstrom

Purse: Another fabulous giveaway prize from Bombshell Shocked, via Bombshell Bettie's Vintage

Etsy Shop Preview: Colorful Cotton Summer Dresses

Here's a sneak preview of the dresses that will be going into the shop tomorrow. I love every one of these colorful prints! Don't you?

Vintage 1960's Checker Print Full Skirt Day Dress

Vintage 1960's Lime Green Ruffled Day Dress

Vintage 1970's Tiered Skirt Day Dress

Vintage 1970's Scalloped Hem Dancing Dress

Vintage 1950's Gingham Organza Trim Criss Cross Dress

Vintage 1970's Polka Dots and Powder Blue Circle Skirt 

Vintage 1980's Sailor Dress

Vintage 1960's Primary Paisley Drop-waist Dress

Vintage 1960's Pastel Paisley Drop-waist Dress

The Red Spectator Shoes

Instead of reaching for a pair of tall boots, I decided to kick up my retro-casual look a notch by adding a cute pair of heels. I get a lot of questions and comments about these shoes. Unfortunately, I didn't get them online, so I would have no idea where to begin referring you; but if you find a pair, I just know you'll enjoy them, too! They go with so many more outfits that I ever thought they would. These jeans, by Leifsdottir, are a high waist cut (and by high waist, I mean up to one's natural waist), and off-the-rack tailored for an ankle length. 

Outfit Details:

Top: Vigoss 

Denim: Leifsdottir

Shoes: Steven by Steve Madden

Bracelet: Brighton

Earrings and Ring: Larimar Gift

Sunglasses: Moschino