Playing Dress-up

Next weekend I'm going to a wedding, the invitation to which specified 'dapper dress.'  My dapperest wedding-appropriate dress (not solid black nor too slutty) is a 1950s cream and black silk party dress. I was planning to cruise ebay for a fabulous cocktail hat to wear with it, when I realized that I didn't have to: one of my co-workers has an amazing collection of vintage clothes and accessories and she's willing to lend.

I brought the booty home last night:

The contents of the box (that's the dress on the left):

The one at the top right is probably the most appropriate as far as time period goes, but it was terribly unflattering.

I love the red one and if I had a pair of lipstick-red patent leather heels to go with it, it might very well be The One. But I don't. Ignore the hair — I'll do something more cocktail-hat-friendly with it for the actual event.

I like this one a lot too. It's a little on the safe side, but quite nice. It's like a glammed-out sailor's cap.

But this one. Oh, this one! I love it so much. Even though it's the wrong decade (probably '30s), I think it'll work with the dress. It's insouciant and chic and a little wacky: everything I was looking for in a hat. I even put some eyeliner and lipstick on to try to do it justice.

I just need to figure out how to keep it on my head. The felt is too thick to use bobby pins. And I have a couple of vintage rhinestone pins that might prove a worthy adornment if it ends up looking too severe.

Comments

[Gina]

You look darling and fetching in all of them! What a great little collection your coworker has. I'm envious.

[Juno]

Big stabby hat pin, that's the ticket.

[Jennu]

I've been told that mixing eras can look sophisticated. Of course, I was told that by someone who was selling me an art nouveau (1890-1910) necklace to wear with my 60's-inspired wedding dress. The date is just over a month off, and the dress isn't actually finished yet, so I can't say how well it all worked together.

But I can imagine someone from the 50's wearing a fabulous vintage hat from the 30s, so I don't see anything wrong with mixing eras. Also, it might end up too costumey if you went 100% in one era (jewelry, shoes, etc.).

Be sure to post pictures of you in the whole ensemble!

[claudia]

I think its even more dapper if era-mixing is going on.

[Heather]

Genius! It totally suits you!