Ms Frangipani Presents.....: red hair

Aloha Petals!

I inadvertently took today off as it's the Scotsman and my 7 year anniversary today.According to the husband-man once you get married,you don't count the anniversary of the day you got together.I say screw that though! Love is always a cause for celebration!

So anyways,this is the first time since I can remember that I've ever actually went out anywhere for the Melbourne Cup.Hell,I've never even been to the races despite having to drive past Randwick Racecourse for 6 years when I worked in Bondi.It just never tickled my fancy.

Anyways,here's my hastily put together (and photographed) outfit for our Melbourne Cup lunch outing to the St George Motorboat Club. We had a great time,there was a fab atmosphere and we may consider getting tickets to a proper luncheon - function type thing next year.

As for this dress,I purchased it from Ebay aaaaages ago.......I've hardly worn it as it just doesn't feel like 'me' despite being a vintage repro number.The colours are very muted and too neutral for my personal taste and the dress just feels too conservative and dainty lady like,for me personally.

I do think it's a gorgeous dress,don't get me wrong.......it's just not moi.I felt quite uncomfortable in it,more so psychologically than physically.I really can not fault this dress for comfort and cut and style.The material breathes,the cut is gorgeous (though I do prefer things a bit more cleavagey ;P ),the skirt length is just lovely and 50's like and the skirt flows beautifully.

I would've felt more me had it been more colourful.........and OMG there are soooooo many gorgeous dresses from Lady V in more my style................

OUTFIT DETAILS

Dress - Lady V London (Ebay - 2 years ago)

Belt - ??????

Shoes - Big W (current)

Hair Frangipani - Hot Dollar (old)

I've been admiring the Aussie Curves posts from afar for a loooooonnnnng time now.It's partly what convinced me to start blogging again.When I saw the 'Retro' challenge come up I knew that would be the post to start with.Hence these photos were taken a couple of weeks ago,before my transition to my Mermaid-Ariel hair.

So retro.Le sigh.If I could wear dresses and skirts like these every single day,I would! I was uber excited when I got a promotion at work,partly because I would have 1 office day where I could glam up.Turns out one office day is enough for me.I get restless sitting behind a desk and computer all day.

Anyways,I've posted before about my love of vintage.A childhood with several gay Uncles and a musical loving Mama Frangipani started my retro lust early on.My little home is filled with vintage posters,portaits of Marilyn Monroe,Marlene Dietriech,Ava Gardner and I worship at the alter of Ms Bette Davis.Oh,and I would give up my husband for the diviiiiiine Monsieur Bela Lugosi.Swooooon! *jokingnotjoking........of course I'm joking........maybe.................

Mr Bela Lugosi

I even managed to find a vintage - repro handfasting dress that was a cross between Jane Russell-Marilyn Monroe's wedding dress in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Grace Kelly's divine number in Rear Window.Complete with a gorgeously kitsch little hair piece.But I will blog about my handfasting another time.In the meantime,here's a couple of photos for those that are curious.............

Oooh,my Scotsman looks diviiiiiinnnnnneeeee!

Off duty,my style is eclectic,ultra femme-ultra-colourful............but I would dress in vintage all the time if I had the budget.Le sigh.Unfortunately,vintage clothing in big sizes is very slim pickings and vintage repro dress prices mean they are a treat,but my collection is building slowly.As for this dress,this is the very first Collectif dress I bought for the size I am now (but that's a different post altogether!),and dammit I wish I'd bought it sooner!

The fabric is a really good quality cotton,so it 'breathe's in our hot Sydney weather,or transitions to winter wear with a cardigan,tights and a petticoat.The cut is just gorgeous and make my knockers look ultra fantabulous.And the print..........oooohhhhh,the print! Collectif designs have the most gorgeous prints - I have a few in frangipani,yellow hibiscus,owl,geisha,leopard (of course),teapots,Eiffel tower and poodle! The colours are super bright and lush,it's withstood about 2 years worth of washing and still hasn't faded.....although I do always dry my stuff inside out.(We dry our stuff in the sun,on the balcony)

Unfortunately this dress is out of print but you can find many more gorgeous prints at collectif.co.uk This was a size smaller than I would usually take,so there is some give in the fabric (I'm a 22-24).I can even scandalously squeeze my bosoms into a size 20,as seen in this post.

**** There are photos following of me twirling joyfully in this dress with my fat,cellulite ridden thighs in all their glory.If you are going to body snark,please leave now.My fat and cellulite does not bother me,so it should not bother you.It's took me a looooong time to get this confident.And for the record,I've had my 6 monthly check up at the Doctor and have a clean bill of health.All my stats are on the very healthy end of the spectrum.Size is no indication of health.