Searching for the perfect vintage party dress can be a time consuming business.
Searching eBay, etsy, vintage fairs and shops all for the perfect dress in the perfect size at the perfect price can take hours, days, weeks even. If you have a party to go to and you need a dress there’s plenty of fabulous vintage reproduction companies like Able Grable and Heyday Vintage Style, but at short notice sometimes you need to try things on.
If you need a party dress in a hurry, then don’t discount the mainstream High Street stores. The popularity of “vintage” styles has led to many stores creating their own interpretations of classic bias cut 30s style gowns, 40s sweetheart necklines and 50s prom dresses and shifts.
A bit of careful, selective shopping, good accessories and amazing hair are the key to getting an evening look that’s all yours, and not at all High Street clone.
Points to beware when shopping on the High Street:
- Too high waistbands – High Street stores seem to have a mistaken belief that our waists are somewhere up under our boobs. If you have a long body pay particular attention to where the waist falls on you
- Too short hemlines -Â Fine if you’re petite, but if you’re average height or over a lot of dresses sit, on or just above the knee. I prefer mine just below. As I also have a long body a combination of the top 2 issues often leaves me looking like I’m wearing a kids party frock instead of an elegant prom dress.
- Baggy waists – Those with a “vintage” figure (ie. One with a difference of 10″ or more between waist and hip measurement) will often find high street dresses too loose on the waist, think about whether a belt or alterations are possible.
- Poor fabrics – Shiny polyester jersey and cheap clingy satin are 2 particular ones that spring to mind and will give away your frocks High Street origins no matter how gorgeous your hair and make up.
As a quick head start I’ve picked 3 of my favourite High Street party frocks with “vintage” styling.
Oasis Iris Velvet Dress £55
This looks, on the model, like it may be a little short. The model is 5’8″ though, so if you’re petite this is a beautiful 40s style dress.
Warehouse 40s Maxi Dress £80
This dress has a nice keyhole detail in the back view and is very simple so can be dressed up with wonderful costume jewellery and accessories like gloves and hats.
Laura Ashley DART DETAIL OTTOMAN HIGHNECK PROM – £110
Classic Prom dress style. Again a really plain dress, ideal for putting your own stamp onto.
Comments
21 responses to “Friday Frock Love – Vintage Looks on the High Street”
Lordy, lordy! That burgundy velvet 1940s dress is STUNNING. It reminds me of a fast fashion version of the pieces I’d find at Trashy Diva…
Isn’t it! I think it would be a lovely Christmas dress.
I’ll have to try it on to check the length on me though!
eeeeek! That black one could be EXACTLY what I need! Eminently customisable, thank you so much for finding it – now to find out if it’ll be long enough!
Hurrah! Fingers crossed it’s long enough for you!
Glad to be of service 😀
love both of the black dresses pure elegance.. future treasures id say!!
Oh my, I need that first dress.
And the second…
loving that last dress. typically way out out of my price range though.
It’s pricy, but Laura Ashley are generally very good quality, and I think (IF you have the money) it’s an excellent investment dress. Some dresses cost that much and you can wear more than once!
😉 Luckily for me I’m short so high-street-style vintage usually fits. I have no issue with mixing vintage, designer and high-street, provided the quality is right and it suits me (I’m a person, not the V&A museum, after all)!
I love the Oasis dress, might have to go and try it on…
Those are generally my thoughts! I like a specfic kind of look and have no problem with where I actually get it from!
Argh. I think my last attempt at commenting went wrong somewhere out in the ether. Try again. 😉 Basically, being short, I should be fine with that LOVERRLY red Oasis number. I love to combine vintage, designer and high street- so long as it looks good that’s fine by me. 🙂 Thanks for the links- I’m off to Oasis (err, once I leave the office LOL)…
Your comment about looking like you’re wearing a party dress certainly rung true – I’m quite tall with long legs and curves and I look like I’m wearing a ra ra skirt in some high st “vintage”- not the era I was hoping for! Love that oasis dress though – new look have some shoes to match me thinks!
That first dress is gorgeous but way too short for me.
I actually love all of them. The colour of the first one is fab. The second one is so gorgeous for a glam party. And the third one is perfect for afternoon tea. Great choices. x
What a pretty selection…I came across a pretty one in Karen Millen – the only flaw is that it is way over my budget 🙁
And agree on how short some of these dresses in the high street are…so frustrating, I only need a few more inches and then most of them would be ideal.
I absolutely adore that velvet Oasis dress, i spotted it in a magazine and fell in love!
♥
Lucky for me all of those things you mentioned (the high waist, short hem etc) all work for me as I am too short. The one thing I can’t stand is poor quality fabric. When I am out shopping I obsessively feel the fabric and when shopping online I always check the fabric compositions. I love the Oasis dress.
They also have an amazing 50’s style red dress on People Tree.
I love the Oasis dress, it’s just a pity I have already brought one of their dresses as my Christmas frock. I brought the Vita dress in gorgeous, bright, vivid red and it’s stunning. It’s more 50’s than 40’s, but well worth trying. I’m 5 foot nothing and a size 16, so it maybe a little short if you are over 5 foot 6.
You’re such an enabler. I bought the Oasis one today. Such a classic. Oh and I’m 5 ft 7 and it comes to the knee on me if that helps anyone 🙂 xx
You’re so right about the things to beware when shopping!
Specially the first 2 points, which are very annoying for me!
B.
Those dresses are gorgeous! I really need a party to go to now. I *really* want the Warehouse one, but suspect the Oasis one would get more wear. Thanks so much for the links 🙂