Vintage 365: Gorgeous Red Rose Swing Dress takes my breath away

✯ Day 37 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

There's no skirting around the fact that I'm a dress girl (pun intended) - always have been, forever will be. For my my whole life dresses have been my favourite article of clothing (in elementary school I even tried to launch a movement amongst my fellow female classmates to only wear dresses, but alas it seems my peers weren't quite as enamoured with frocks as I was and the "dress lovers club" only lasted for a few weeks), and I never tire of bopping around the internet looking at vintage and vintage inspired examples of this timelessly beautiful garment of clothing.

Sometimes when I chance upon a dress that particularly sets my heart aflutter, my mind will suddenly start playing the classic Top Gun song "Take my breath away", because that's what an amazing frock has the power to do to me.

There are a number of factors that can elicit that feeling of breathlessness for me, such as the time period the dress hails from (or is designed to look like it came from), colour (red, pink, black and teal are all perpetual faves), cut (generally speaking, the more feminine the better), neckline (I especially like princess necklines), and pattern (I'm such a sucker for florals).

Should a dress happen to sport one or more of these elements it usually grabs my attention right away, as the classically beautiful frock featured in today's post did.

 

The Red Rose Swing Dress is elegant vintage style at its most loveliest. Made of drapey black fabric that's bursting with a stunning red rose pattern, this fully lined frock boasts off-the-shoulder sleeves, fitted waist, alluring v-shaped neckline, and a full swing skirt that all ad up to one seriously gorgeous frock.

This breath-taking vintage inspired dress - which would be utterly perfect for Valentine's Day! - is available from Stop Staring for $150.00 in standard modern ladies sizes (though at the moment they only have XS and small in stock), and is a prime example of what dresses continue to me my absolute favourite item of clothing.

Vintage Fashionista Friday – May 14, 2010

{Understatedly pretty and perfectly versatile, these vintage screw back earrings feature small red ruby coloured crystal stones and brass-gold hued metal, that work splendidly together to telegraph a sophisticated yet playful vibe that would make these earrings at home as much on a picnic as they’d be on a formal dinner date. “Cherry Red Stone Vintage Earrings”, $10.00 US from etsy seller Cozy Studio.}



{Vintage grace tumbles forth from this exquisitely lovely 1950s gold coloured compact, which comes complete with a lipstick tube and a perfume tube, respectively, attached on either side (brilliant!). Ideally suited for even the tiniest of handbags, this gorgeous vintage compact could easily be refilled and used today, or alternatively, put to splendid use as a purely decorative object on your vanity. “1950s Gold Tone Compact”, $39.00 from etsy seller Cassie’s Attic.}



{This dress is like a quick wink from an admirer across a crowded room. It’s alluring yet not intimidating, flirtatious but still entirely ladylike, it’s the sort of reach-for-it classic that all glamorous women should have in their fashion arsenal. Sporting a faux leopard skin print around the collar and cuffs, a wildly feminine fitted skirt, and 1/2 length sleeves, this vintage reproduction dress is one of those stellar frocks that would see you through any season – or situation! “Blondie” dress, available in ladies sizes up to 3X, $178.00 US from Stop Staring.}



{I really do believe my heart skipped at least three beats when it I discovered this enchantingly wonderful Anna Sui nail polish set. Bursting with intoxicating beauty and feminine elegance, this rose bedecked kit features a sublimely gorgeous carrying case/make-up bag, two shades of impossibly pretty nail polish, an emery board, and jewel nail stickers, for that added dose of sparkly charm we all crave from time-to-time. Anna Suit “five piece Nail Colour Set 02”, $48.00 US from Yesstyle.com.}



{Glitz and glamorous collide in this glimmering beige stain clutch, complete with tiny feather and rhinestone detailing atop a gorgeous double bow. Couldn’t you just imagine carrying this purse with you on a warm summer night, its sandy hue just the right compliment to your gently sun-kissed skin. Carlo Fellini.”Tuscan” clutch handbag in beige (it’s also available in black and purple), currently on sale for $39.99 US from ebags.com.}



{Sweetly little red camellias, vintage 1940s glass pearls, and antique brass team up in this beautiful handmade bracelet, which would look divine with a myriad of outfits, from sundresses to cashmere winter sweaters, felt skirts to playsuits. This delightfully lovely bracelet measures 7 inches long (plus a 1.5 inch extender chain, for a total maximum length of 8.5 inches), and is available for $29.50 US from etsy seller Bumbershoot Designs.}



{Lively colours, ageless construction, and a jaunty 4 1/2 inch heel combine in this sleek pair of 1940s inspired pumps to create a positively knock-out pair of shoes that would be an amazing accompaniment to many a stunning ensemble. “Tempt Champagne and Black with Bow Heels”, available in ladies sizes 6 to 12, $65.00 US from Unique Vintage.}

♥ ♥ ♥

Dreary weather this past week and a lack of energy myself, have left me yearning for bright colours, gobs of vitality and anything upbeat. In particular I’ve been craving the colour red (I often “crave” having a certain colour stand out prominently in my life for a spell – does anyone else feel this way too?), so hence why this week’s gorgeous vintage fashionista, Laurinda, is decked out in this radiating, invigorating, timelessly powerful hue.

Red evokes thoughts of luscious roses, just-plucked-from-the-tree cherries still warm from the sun, romantic hearts doodled in school notebooks, fiery chili peppers, sumptuous velvet robes, perpetually gorgeous lipstick shades, and (in the more recent of eras) the crimson soles of a certain brand of designer heels. It’s a regal, fascinating, moving colour that seems right at home in the middle of May, a month that can be such a turbulent blend of weather extremes and the prolific appearance once again of gardens teaming with this passionate shade, that never ceases to give me a much needed jolt of vigour.

On the blogging front, I want to say thank you dearly to everyone who left comments on Chronically Vintage posts this past week. I truly appreciate – and adore – your visits, and want you to know that I treasure each thought you share with me.

Wishing one and all a deeply lovely weekend, complete with countless moments of tranquil bliss!