Blog Posts

Christmas with Betty – 1950’s glamour

June 07, 2017

It’s December and Christmas is well and truly on its way. Now, I don’t know about you, but I have been thinking about what to wear to all of those Christmas parties for weeks now and I have found the gorgeous Betty Dress.

There are so many things that I love about this dress, thatI truly don’t know where to start! Well, let’s start by stating the obvious...it has polka dots; the first box in my ‘Perfect Dress’ criteria ticked! Secondly, it is black (second box ticked) and features a rather festive red bow in the centre of the dress. Thirdly, it has a gorgeous lace panel at the top of the dress, making it perfect for day (with the additional of a black bolero) or night. However, last, but by no means least, the thing I love about this dress the most, is that it is lovely and stretchy!

So, even though it is a pencil dress, there is no need to deliberate over whether you should scoff that third mince pie. EAT IT! You will still feel comfortable in the Betty dress not matter how many pies you eat, due to her generous amount of stretch!

One word of warning regarding this dress is that it is of a pull-over style. There are no zips or buttons, so do make sure that you pull the dress on over your head, BEFORE you have done your hair and makeup!

Size wise, I am wearing a Size XS here, a UK Size 8 and I have the following measurements: Bust=35in, Waist=26.5in, Hips=34 in. According to the size guide, the dress should come up a little smaller than it actually does, so I would say that there is a good few inches of stretch in the dress. I did have a little trouble getting it over my head, but once in, it fit like a glove. The Betty Dress is £66 and available in two colour ways (black and blue) and available in sizes UK 8 – 18.

Plus, an added bonus is that these Lori gloves come with Tech Enabled touch finger tips, so you can add a video of yourself visiting Santa’sGrotto to your Instagram story without the need to remove your gloves! What a time to be alive!

Click here to shop Betty Dress

Click here to shop Lori gloves

Halloween Pinup Style with Penny & Betty

June 07, 2017

Halloween Pinup Style with Penny & Betty.

I love Halloween. There is something about the new found chill in the air, the falling leaves on the ground and the dark nights closing in that makes everything feel ever so slightly...spooky! Plus, it is a great excuse to play dress up! So with Halloween just around the corner, I have turned to Weekend Doll and Voodoo Betty’s Boutique for a frightening cool Halloween pinup look!

As soon as Collectif released their new Autumn/Winter 2016 collection, I knew I had to order the Penny Vegas Pencil Dress ! This dress is only available in a Size 6 on the Collectif website – it has sold out fast! But thankfully, Weekend Doll has you back! It is still available on their website in sizes 8-16!

This dress is amazing! Made of a beautifully sparkly PU coated Bengali fabric, it has tones of stretch yet if figure-hugging snug! I ordered the dress in a UK Size 8 and my measurements are as follows: Waist – 26.5in, Bust: 35in and Hips: 34in.

Therefore, based on the Collectif size chart, I would say that they Penny Vegas Pencil Dress fits true to size. However, Collectif do say that if you are between sizes to size down, on account of the amount of stretch the dress has. In terms of size, fabric and over all style, I don’t have a bad word to say about the Penny Vegas Pencil Dress . However, with that being said, I am not very keen on the fastening mechanism for the crossover neck straps.

Unlike other cross over neck items I have, for instance, the Voodoo VixenTop from Pinup Girl Clothing, the cross neck on the Penny Vegas clips in place with hooks, as opposed to being one continuous strap that you put over your head. Now, I didn’t wear a bra with this dress as once on, it fits pretty tight, so there was no need, but I was very conscious that at some point, these little clasps (which didn’t feel massively secure when fastened) would pop open and leave me ever so slightly red faced! I would have preferred for this dress to have ‘over the head’ straps, but it is not a deal breaker! The rest of the dress makes up for this!

I paired the Penny Vegas Dress with some gorgeous Halloween themed accessories from Voodoo Betty’s Boutique. I styled my hair with their gorgeous handmade pumpkin head scarf (which made for a perfect fit, with just enough excess left over for a little bow).

I accessorised with their super cute Pumpkin Jack-o- Lantern style earrings (which are tunneled friendly!) and their beautiful Pumpkin and skull necklace, which I fashioned into a little belt using some black cotton!

This is the first time I have tried any accessories from Voodoo Betty’s, but I was really pleased with the quality, overall designs and clearly the huge amount of care and attention that goes into each individual piece. My pumpkins went down a storm on a recent night out! I will definitely be buying from them again.

Lovely handmade accessories by Voodoo Betty’s Boutique are available on our website .

Asian Pacific, to be specific.

June 07, 2017

Women’s fashion in the mid to late 40’s was heavily influenced by the geographical locations of WW2. Troops would often bring home gifts and souvenirs for their loved ones from far flung lands. These styles were soon adopted back home, giving rise to Tiki and Asian Pacific fashions.

Tiki is one of my favourite looks, but I had never considered an Asian Pacific inspired style, until I saw the Lilly May dress from Weekend Doll. I wasn’t too keen on the style from the initial pictures,but I fell in love with it when I tried it on!

The Lilly May dress has a beautiful floral pattern with yellow, pink and blue notes on top of a black base. What I like about the colour is that it allows you to pair it with brightly coloured accessories(like I did) or tone it down with black accessories if you prefer.

The dress paired perfectly with a number of accessories thatI already had in my wardrobe. I wore bamboo earrings and bangles from LadyLuck’s Boutique, as well as a green and white hair flower (also from LadyLuck’s Boutique ). I wore a black patent belt from Pinup Girl Clothing ,to add some definition to my boyish frame and finished the look off with my Souvenir shoes from Luck Lou shoes. But what really brought the dress to life was the addition of a few Asian inspired accessories; my red parasol I picked up at Viva Las Vegas and my green bamboo bag, which was a charity shop find.

In terms of sizing, this dress fit like a dream. I am wearing a size XS and my measurements are as follows (Bust: 35in, Waist: 26.5inHips: 34in). The dress has a lot of stretch, which means I could have probably sized down for a tighter fit. There are no buttons or zips on this dress, which caught me by surprise, so the stretch is key in getting it over your head! The length was perfect on my 5ft 2in frame and the modest V neck (with green piping!) means this dress is really suitable for work or more formal functions too.

The Lilly May dress also has a matching pencil skirt, which again, carried the same beautiful floral pattern and all of the features I love about the dress. Again, the Lilly May skirt fit like a dream in Size XS and was a perfect length (something I struggle with as I am on the short size). The waist on the skirt is elasticated and again, there are no zips. The elasticated waist is nicely done and is not obvious, so a belt is not a requirement. I paired the skirt with the Emmy cardigan which was a little snug on me. I could have done with sizing up from the XS I wore.

The Emmy cardigan is a beautiful canary yellow and again, something I would usually avoid, but it looked beautiful in the flesh. The cardigan is crochet, so a modesty top underneath is required!

Denim Culottes and Bumble Bee Tops! Fun at the seaside with Weekend Doll.

June 07, 2017

So this weekend we had our dear friends Carl, Jen and their adorable son Ethan over to stay. So, we made the most of living in a Seaside town and took them to Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach!

Carl is a fantastic photographer, so I made no excuses for using his talents completely to my advantage and we took a few snaps for the blog.

We headed first to Great Yarmouth, where I wore the Denim Culottes In terms of style, I would not normally go for a culotte, as in all honesty, I have not worn a pair since school! But I was pleasantly surprised at how much of a nautical pinup look they gave (I’m a sucker for anchors as well as polka dots!). The culottes have pockets which is an instant plus point, as well as an elasticated waist, meaning they were super comfy! They are made of Lyocell, which is a super lightweight, rayon type fabric, so I was perfectly cool on one of the hottest days we’ve had this year.

In terms of fit, I am 5ft 2in, so I was under absolutely no illusions regarding the length that these would be on me. The length was a tad on the long side, but being short, this is something that I am no stranger to.
I wore the XS which is a Size 8. This translates to Waist = 25in and Hips = 34in. I have a 26.5inch waist and 34inch hips, so I would say that the culottes come up slightly large as I could have done with a bit less room in the waist, especially as they are elasticated. I would therefore recommend sizing down for this item. The quality was perfect and I especially liked the red stitching detail on these.

My husband and I then headed to Gorleston Beach for an evening stroll. I wore the denim culottes with the Bee shirt. This shirt cut for a slightly loose fit, so for a more fitted look, you should size down. I didn’t do this, as I am quite broad. Plus, this shirt is not designed as a cropped shirt. It is a standard length shirt, but it has been styled as a crop. Therefore, I decided to stick with my normal size for a bit of extra room. I am a 35 inch bust and wore the shirt in a Size 8 – XS. This is described as a 32 inch bust top. So I would definitely suggest sizing down if you want a tighter fit. I think in hindsight, I could have worn a smaller size, but I was perfectly comfortable in the 8.

Again, quality was perfect on this shirt and I liked that it was versatile enough to wear long or cropped. It was a very hot weekend, but I was perfectly cool in the whole outfit and felt extremely comfortable, it was a welcome change to being trussed up in a wiggle dress or a high waisted belt!

Click here to shop the Denim Culottes

Click here to Shop the Bee Shirts

Pinup Pretties and Nautical Niceties

June 07, 2017

Summer is officially here (apparently?) and what better way to start it off than with a picnic. But not just any old picnic, oh no! The British Belles are hosting their 2 Annual Pinup Picnic in the Park on the 2 July.

The British Belles (founded in 2014) are a group of 10 vintage lifestyle enthusiasts from around the UK. Referring to themselves as “the embodiment of girl power”these ten beautiful ladies promote positivity and individuality, whilst sharing their unique talents for vintage style fashion, hair & makeup, crafts and much more.

Last year, the fabulous Belles hosted the first ‘Pinup Picnic in the Park’ ; an organised gathering for lovers of pinup and vintage, held in Hyde Park in London in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. The event raffle helped raise over £1,000 for charity and was a huge success. A year on and the Belles are hosting the picnic again. They hope to smash their £1,000 target this year, so if you are planning to attend, get your raffle tickets here.

And if you are planning to attend, what the devil are you going to wear? Luckily, Weekend Doll has you covered! The English Rose dress is just perfect for a summer picnic. The halter neck dress comes in 2 colour ways (red and blue) along with a detachable black sash.

Dress: The English Rose dress

What is impressive about this dress is that it is convertible. The dress has a ‘Hitch Hem’ meaning that you can either wear the skirt gathered for a full effect (above), or (by loosening the ties underneath the dress) take the skirt down for a longer length (below).

The sweetheart neckline is really flattering and combined with the black sash nipping you in at the waist; it gives you the perfect pinup silhouette. Ps. If you are wondering what the strange mound of concrete is behind me in the above image, it is the WW2 Air Raid Shelter that is in our back garden!

In terms of fit, this dress is pretty spot on. It has an elasticated panel at the back, which gives added room in the bust region if required. My measurements are B=35in, W=26.5in and H=34in and I wore a Size 8 which is an XS. If you are on the shorter side like me (5ft 2in) then this dress is probably best worn with the hem up, as it is quite long when released. The dress is fully lined and really lightweight – perfect for when that British Summer finally decides to show its face!

If you are looking for something a bit more casual, Friday on My Mind is the way to go. They do a range of very cute nautical style Sailor Tops in 5 different colour ways, enabling you to throw one on with a number of different coloured outfits. I wore mine with their perfect little Polka Dot Shorts

Sailor Top & Polka Dot Shorts | Shoes: Babycham | Necklace: Kreepsville666 | Debra Hibiscus hair flower: Lady Lucks Boutique | Parasol: Bought at VivaLas Vegas 2016

The Sailor top, which I got in a Size Small (8-10) fit perfectly and had a decent amount of stretch. I often struggle with tops as I am quite broad, so I was pleased with the fit from this.

The high waisted polka dot shorts are extremely cute. I'm a sucker for polka dots! , so I was a huge fan of these shorts. They come with cute red buttons and red piped pockets. Again, anything with pockets is instantly more desirable!

The fit however, was not true to size in my opinion. I got the shorts in a Size 8 (XS) and I should have gone for a Size 6 (XXS), as they were far too big around the waist for me. I would suggest sizing down for these shorts if you would like a snug fit. I wore the shorts with my Babycham shoes which added a lovely nautical twist. So pop on your pinup pretties and make sure you head down to the 2 Annual Pinup Picnic in the Park!

Little Miss Doo Wop is a vintage fashion and lifestyle enthusiast from Gorleston, Norfolk. Her blog. www.littlemissdowwop.com features reviews. tutorials and tales from her vintage, pin-up and rockabilly lifestyle. Little Miss Doo Wop lives with her husband Spencer in their period home ( complete with WWII Air Raid Shelter!) and is a Dog Mum to two Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Frank & Perrie.

Be the best in your field this festival season with Weekend Doll

May 20, 2017

Summer's here! Which means it’s time to don your festival finest and enjoy dancing at the season's pick of outdoor events. Whatever you're heading to a Glasto-sized weekend, a boutique music festival, or jiving under the sun at a vintage event, Weekend Doll's summer essentials will make sure you're centre stage!

< Glastonbury, other festivals >

You'll want to look bold and stylish, but the same time, you want to feel comfortable enough to wear your outfit all weekend. Our new-season ultra-stylish Border jumpsuit will make sure you stand out from the crowd! Our cute Cyclone Denim dress ensures you'll be rocking the on-trend denim look, and when it gets nippy in the evenings, throw on our yellow Dutch bike cardigan. If the sun does come out, our cotton high-waisted Gingham check shortsare the perfect solution, teamed up with our Sailor top and wellies to complete your festival look!

< Twinwood Event and Ware and Peace festival >

Our 40s style tea dress is the perfect go-to vintage-style piece for both day and night time. Pair it with our cute Hibiscus mermaid head flower, low-heel peep toe shoes and get ready to swing dance the night away! For an ultra-authentic look, rock real pin up style in our high waisted Ava shorts, teamed with our selection of crop tops or blouses!

Swing Dance Festival Outfit Weekend Doll

< Atomic Festival and Retro Festival>

The Collectif’s classic 1950s Rebel Kate Denim Jeans are a must-have item for your 1950s fashion look! Tie one of our gorgeous blouses in a front knot to complete your sassy rockabilly look!. Our vintage-inspired Lora skirt has a wide pleat detail and is made from a weighty crepe fabric – perfect for spinning around the dance floor. To take the look from day to night, glam it up in our gorgeous Lucille dress, complete with a colourful head flower!

1950s Weekender Festival Outfit | Weekend Doll

Difference Between Vintage Clothes, Vintage Reproductions and Vintage Inspired

May 02, 2017

What are Vintage Clothes?

Vintage clothes refer to a set of garments of a past era which were used during a specific time period. These garments were designed with the contemporary trend of fashion of a specific time. In the current age, clothes belonging to a previous era our known as vintage clothes.Vintage 1940s dresses are very affordable yet elegant .

What is Vintage Reproduction?

Vintage reproductions are the recreations of the vintage clothes by keeping the design same. New materials and fabrics are used to make vintage reproductions.

What is Vintage Inspired?

As the name suggests, the style and design of a vintage-inspired garment is influenced by garments of a different era. In this case, the clothes get a completely new design in new fabrics, but it is inspired by design of vintage clothes.

Distinctive features of Vintage Clothes, Vintage Reproductions and Vintage Inspired

Vintage clothing is a term generally used for outfits dating from the 1920s to around 20 years before the current period. The fabric of the same is normally worn with a faded colour. Vintage clothing was made from very good quality fabrics such as fine silk and cotton, since they were created before the advent of fabrics like polyester. Depending on the design, these garments were also heavily embroidered.

Vintage clothes often contain several layers of silk. In many designs, metals and colourful feather of birds were enclosed for a fine finishing. One needs to be careful while washing these clothes as the materials used in the clothes become fragile with the passing of time. Many people prefer to own original vintage clothing rather than replicas, and there are many vintage clothing stores that can help them with this.

Vintage reproductions are nothing but exact replicas of original vintage garments. These are made of new fabric, using modern technology but look exactly like vintage clothing. Vintage reproductions are light and comfortable in comparison to the original vintage garment.

We have Huge Variety Of Vintage 1940s Dresses

They are a wonderful option for those who like vintage clothes but prefer acquiring a brand new product rather than using a second-hand one. While vintage clothes need extra care for maintenance and washing, vintage reproductions can be washed in washing machines, like other garments.

Vintage-inspired clothes are inspired by the style and design of clothes from a previous era. The design is completely new, but an amalgamation of modern trends and bygone era.

These are comparatively light and comfortable to wear. Unlike vintage reproductions, vintage-inspired clothes do not replicate the garments of a particular era. Instead, it is an innovation of old fashions to suit the tastes of a newer generation. Vintage-inspired clothes are a wonderful option for people who admire old styles but prefer a modern interpretation of the same.

Browse here to know more in detail about 40s style dresses

D-Day Doll

June 02, 2016

Meet our new bloger, Little Miss Doo Wop

Little Miss Doo Wop is a vintage fashion and lifestyle enthusiast from Gorleston, Norfolk. Her blog, www.littlemissdoowop.com features reviews, tutorials and tales from her vintage, pin-up and rockabilly lifestyle. Little Miss Doo Wop lives with her Husband Spencer in their period home (complete with WWII Air Raid Shelter!) and is a Dog Mum to two Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Frank & Perrie.

Orchid Wrap Dress | 40s Style | Weekend Doll

Blooming gorgeous new dresses for your spring and summer wardrobe

March 16, 2016

Now that spring is here, it's time to turn off the heating, ditch the layers of warm clothes, and start looking forward to shopping for the perfect outfits to wear for the new season's occasions, and summer celebrations! Our new-season pieces will suit any occasion and will make the perfect addition to your spring and summer wardrobe!

50s-inspired with ts kimono-style sleeves, a flattering crossover dress | Weekend Doll

Rachel Dress

The timeless Rachel dress is 50s-inspired with a modern twist, with its kimono-style sleeves, a flattering crossover shape at the bust, detachable ties to accentuate your waist, and a full skirt that falls just below the knee. Crafted from a beautiful lightweight mint mosaic print and lined in 100% cotton, this romantic piece is perfect to wear to a wedding, a night out, or a garden party.

Orchid 40s-inspired wrap dress | Blog Post | Weekend Doll

Orchid Wrap Dress

As it heats up outside, what better excuse do you need to warm up your wardrobe by introducing bright and colourful floral prints? This Orchid 40s-inspired wrap dress features a crossover bust detail, a flattering wide waistband, and a full, pleated skirt, designed to flatter any body shape from size 8-20. Pair with one of our cute cardigans such as the Vera cardigan and you'll be covered for every occasion between now and summer!

50s Style Orchid Floral Print Dress | Blog Post | Weekend Doll

Lucille Dress

Turn heads with the fun and flirty Orchid floral print Lucille dress! This statement piece will be your go-to dress for summer holidays, festivals, or nights out, as its versatile hem can be worn full-length for an elegant silhouette, or gathered up for a more fun and flirty look. We've paired it with our yellow Orchid flower head piece for a show stopping vintage look!

Give your bridesmaids the vintage look!

February 23, 2016

Planning a wedding with a vintage theme and not sure how to dress your bridesmaids for your special day? Well, here are some suggestions!
We have 1940s and 50s style dresses for any type of wedding from vintage glamour, romantic pastel to vintage garden.

Regina dress

Our 50s style Regina dress is feminine and elegant, perfect for a romantic wedding. It will flatter any body shape and comes in many different colours. Available from sizes 6 to 20.
You can dress all your bridesmaids in the same colour or choose different ones. How about a coloured petticoat underneath or why not add a belt?

Different style in the same colour tone

Why not let your bridesmaids choose a dress that best suits their body type and personality, then they can wear it after the wedding!

Vintage tyle floral dress

Why not go for a cute retro mix of colourful floral print tea dresses. They will look bright, colourful and super fun.

Click to here to visit our Vintage style bridesmaid dresses and Occassion wear shop

HAVE YOURSELF A VERY VINTAGE CHRISTMAS

November 24, 2015

We have the lovely guest blogger Megan to inspire our Christmas outfits with our Breeze dress! Read her story to get into the Christmas sprit!

Every year at Christmas, I get so excited about hitting up the Christmas Market at city hall in Belfast. I normally end up go ing every other day and having lunch with friends, or for beers at night in the Laverys tent. When you wrap up all snuggly in your coat and scarf with some cute mittens, there's no place you fit in better than on the grounds of city hall, among the lights, carols and Christmas magic.

I just love getting in the mood for the festive season, and I love dressing for it too! The hunt begins for the perfect Christmas dress to end the year with a bang, and start the new one looking great! I was sent the Breeze dress from the Weekend Doll . The independent online retailer blossomed from the owners personal love for vintage inspired fashion, and grew from being a small vintage stall at fairs to what it is today. The shop has a fabulous range of beautiful dresses for all occasions, as well as work wear with a twist. I love it so much! This dress was from the spring summer collection, and is actually a wee day dress. I loved styling it in a festive way to pull it through the seasons and work perfectly in the current season. It is just the most perfect fit, length and is exactly what I will be wearing on Christmas day with my family.

I had a look through their website for a more night-time look dress and I found the absolutely stunning Shirley dress. It is just perfect for any festive outings, and it would even make a perfect crimbo present for a gal pal!

What's your most perfect Christmas dress? Do you have a favourite like me? I just keep digging out the most beautiful red tutu prom dress every year and it looks amazing paired with my tacky Christmas Jumper!

You can read more about Megan from ventthreads.blogspot.co.uk

Posh brunching in Penny

November 01, 2015

I took my Penny flared dress out for its debut to the wonderful Bellini Brunch at the South Place Hotel. Amazingly, it was a bright October Sunday so I didn’t need to be shy about taking my jacket off when indoors.

The Penny dress has the most unusual and flattering neckline- crossing over in the front, rather than the back, and I think this has got to be my favourite feature! With two hook and eyes to fasten behind theneck, I was actually lucky enough I didn’t have to adjust them. I am wearing a size 10 and it fitted really well. it has a stretch to the material and normally I would go down a size but the 10 was just right to still fit my chest in but be nice and snug on the waist. I must say the length of the dress was great too. Sometimes swing dresses can be a touch too long and you have to wear massive heels to make up for it. Even though I’m 5’6, my legs are quite short, but Penny fell perfectly on my upper calves.

All in all though, I loved wearing the dress. I usually love bright colours and steer clear of black, but because of this show stopping dress, I can confidently say I will be getting my money’s worth out of this number!

And if you’re looking for your Halloween or Christmas season LBD, Penny is your girl!

Have fun!

Dolly x

Read more about Dolly at www.dollydpinup.wordpress.com

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Blog Posts

Christmas with Betty – 1950’s glamour

Halloween Pinup Style with Penny & Betty

Asian Pacific, to be specific.

Denim Culottes and Bumble Bee Tops! Fun at the seaside with Weekend Doll.

Pinup Pretties and Nautical Niceties

Be the best in your field this festival season with Weekend Doll

Difference Between Vintage Clothes, Vintage Reproductions and Vintage Inspired

What are Vintage Clothes?

What is Vintage Reproduction?

What is Vintage Inspired?

Distinctive features of Vintage Clothes, Vintage Reproductions and Vintage Inspired

We have Huge Variety Of Vintage 1940s Dresses

Browse here to know more in detail about 40s style dresses

D-Day Doll

Blooming gorgeous new dresses for your spring and summer wardrobe

Give your bridesmaids the vintage look!

HAVE YOURSELF A VERY VINTAGE CHRISTMAS

Posh brunching in Penny

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