Yesterday I attended a wedding which was great fun. As you will know from having read, assiduously, my previous posts, I have given clear directions on planning your wardrobe in advance, in calm and great enjoyment and not relying on a last minute on-line panic shopping swoops to steal that joy. (“Why I am against buying outfits for a specific occasion, March 16th 2016, http://www.workingfrocks.co.uk/wp-admin/post.php?post=967&action=edit).
Well, yesterday’s dress code was 1940s/50s (optional). The optional bit caused most problems as I wasn’t sure how many other people would be dressed up (shades of the Tarts and Vicars party scene in Bridget Jones came to mind). The second problem was that I don’t have 40s/50s clothes in my wardrobe, and the third problem is that I don’t like getting dressed up in clothes that aren’t ‘me’. I don’t really like fancy dress parties and I don’t really want to go to a wedding dressed as myself in the 1940s/or 50s.
Anyway I had to get over my bah humbugness and decide what to wear. Input being on of my strengths (Strengthsfinder 2.0) I took time to examine vintage magazines and peruse online websites pertaining to all things mid-20th century. This confirmed that I didn’t have anything to wear. I was very close to making something specifically for the occasion which is my version of buying something last minute. However I have a pact with myself not to make anything specifically for an occasion as it engenders too much stress and I don’t get anything else done, and I was trying to stick to that.
So after much deliberation I went back to the dress currently allocated for weddings: a dress with an apricot wool challis bodice and cream lace gathered skirt with silk organza bias binding on the hem. I made a net petticoat to “poof” out the skirt, all of a sudden I was starting to look the part. I put a rose comb on top of my head with my hair pulled back, found ivory clip earrings belonging to my mother, and borrowed her fur coat. Nude suede kitten heels from LK Bennet completed the look and voila! Transformed into the very epitome of 1950s wedding guest!
Which all goes to prove that you CAN stick to your own guidelines, even when the dress code seems rather daunting.
What do you think? How have you coped in the past with demanding dress codes? How have you managed using clothing items you already have? Let me know in the comments box below. Have a great day.
