Friday, May 30, 2014

1950s Tulle Dresses

There is something really special about 1950s party dresses. They are fluffy and full and light and just so pretty. So when this event popped up, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to try out tulle for myself!

Turns out synthetic tulle is super easy to work with, and I did a lot of draping and playing around with different styles to match the originals I've seen. The features I landed on were a sweetheart neckline with ruching down the front of the bodice, a multi-colored skirt, a satin waistband, gathered tulle trim on the neckline, and a wrap made out of some of the extra tulle. Here are some of my favorites:

a prom shot from the 50s--check out those tulle overskirts and the wrap the girl at the far right is wearing
sweetheart bodice with gathering down the center front
gathered trim on the bust, satin waistband
single row trim

And as a bonus, my ponytail (instead of an up-do) was inspired by this picture from Life Magazine:


Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Tulle Princess

This weekend I went to another Greater Boston Vintage Society event, and I even had a new dress to wear without pulling an all-nighter. Yay!

As I mentioned in my last post, I started this dress (a 1950s tulle prom dress) at the beginning of the month, and with another a solid second Saturday afternoon I got it finished. The event was based on Back to the Future, and had the same "enchantment under the sea" theme as the prom Marty and his parents-as-teenagers attend in the movie. And just like the movie, the dance was in a cute little school gym with fish decorations and streamers. Perfect!

I have another post coming on tulle 1950s prom dresses (and some more construction dresses from this project!), but in the meantime here are a few snaps of the finished product!

not a particularly great photo, but you can see the dress! the waistband is attached and has a butt bow in the back

The glitter heels came out of my closet--I just happen to own ridiculous things...

I think this is my favorite picture from the set!
I don't have any pictures of it, unfortunately, but man did my skirt twirl! (I also changed shoes for dancing, so no twisted ankles occurred.)

And just for fun, a couple of doctored "1950s" shots:



BONUS! Here's the prom from the movie: