A few weeks ago, my lovely friend Peej alerted me to the pretty vintage dresses that can be found on eBay.
Now I own four of them. Not one cost more than $15. Everywhere I go, I get “Betty Draper” compliments (although nothing I’ve bought is as poofy as Betty’s dress up there).
So do as I do. Go to eBay and type in “vintage day dresses” or “day dresses.” You will soon be bombarded with dozens and dozens of awesome, 1950s dresses that flatter any figure. Not only are they beautiful, they are really well-made — expert tailoring from a different era when clothing wasn’t mass-produced in China. They can be dressed up with heels or jewellery, or dressed down with flats and pigtails. I love love love my vintage day dresses. I am wearing a candy-apple floral pink one right now!
After the jump, check out the dresses:
The first one is delightful. However, it is significantly smaller in the waist than advertised. I can wear it, but it’s a bit like having a rope tied tightly around my waist, and so until I lose this depressing spare tire that has developed around my middle, I won’t be able to wear it very often. But look at it!! Awesome!! By summer, I will be prancing around town in this confection!
This little sundress/garden party dress is also adorable. And it’s really beautifully tailored, perhaps the best made of all the dresses I’ve bought, and it was only 10 bucks. It’s a bit big through the chest but when I wear it with a padded strapless bra, there’s no trouble. I recently wore this for three days straight during a heatwave and even my teenaged son, who wouldn’t notice if I walked past him in a Hefty bag, complimented me on it. Gruffly, of course.
Dress No. 3 is the one I am wearing now. It’s adorable, better looking in person than in the picture. You could really dress this up with peep-toe pumps and pretty bangles. Or you could dress it down and wear it just to do your housework. It has a pretty Peter Pan collar that you can’t really see here. It would look awesome against tanned skin mid-summer.
And now the best for last. This dress may not look like much in the photo, but it is hands’ down my favorite. It’s a woven cotton that is really beautiful, with a delicate floral print, and it just fits my body perfectly. Love the cute little cowl-neck neck. I wore this downtown today with brown peep-toe pumps and my tortoiseshell sunglasses and I got complimented on it all over the place, by men, women and children. I absolutely LOVE this dress.
May 20, 2009 at 6:36 pm
HURRAH! Well done, darling, they’re all fantastic. I love wearing flounce-y vintage dresses. They’re so easy. They kind of take all of the effort out of “wearing a dress,” the way some gals are averse to. I’ve got a few dresses that I refer to as “my favorite pair of jeans dresses” because they are that cozy.
May 21, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Word. Dresses are where it’s at. I know a lot of women are opposed to them because they find them constrictive and confining, but that’s just because they’re not wearing the right dresses.
Plus, in the summertime, there’s nothing like having a breeze hit below the belt—only a dress can give you that.
May 21, 2009 at 2:12 pm
I don’t own any vintage dresses (yet), but I have some great cotton dresses from Velvet that are so easy (machine washable and no ironing required) and comfy. The right dress is easier than coordinating a whole outfit, yet looks more “put together.” Yay, dresses!
May 20, 2009 at 10:43 pm
Bravo Trixie!! I’m in love w/old school glamour. Thanks for the shopping tip.
May 21, 2009 at 4:17 am
God they are delicious.. off to ebay now..
May 21, 2009 at 9:34 am
Trixie, these are beautiful, but I’m nervous about sizing. I’ve measured myself, I’ve measure some clothing, but I’m curious to hear how you decided on size and/or what challenges/surprises/tips you have.
May 21, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Oh, sigh.
I love you girls and I’m a long-time reader, first time commenter.
I hate vintage clothing. It is so beautiful and so out of my reach as a six-foot woman. There was never a dress made in the 50’s that will ever fit my torso, shoulders and legs.
Vintage most definitely does not flatter Talls.
Nor do airline seats.
May 22, 2009 at 7:34 am
hi, welcome.
I’m 5’11 myself and you guys know I’m not small up top – but seeing the gorgeous Christina Hendricks dressed as Joan Holloway always makes me want to find some vintage dresses, finally – clothing that is meant for curves!
let’s attack eBay and report back if we find anything.
May 21, 2009 at 12:32 pm
I just know my measurements — bust, hips and waist — and because these dresses were made in an era before vanity sizing, when today’s 2 was an 8 or a 10 then, they pretty much all provide the three measurements.
Sometimes they will say a modern-day medium or something like that.
Just be sure to measure yourself and then judge by the measurements the vendor provides.
They’ve all fit me! The pink and the flowered one quite perfectly!
May 21, 2009 at 12:39 pm
I gave an audible sigh when I saw the last one. They’re all cute, but I love that one so much. I bet you look fab in it!
May 21, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Dottie: It’s soooo cute! And the quality is fantastic. Not a thing wrong with it.
May 21, 2009 at 4:15 pm
I’m jealous. Thanks to my giant boobs I can’t wear any dress that doesn’t have a WHOLE lot of stretchy fabric and a non-high neckline. Unfortunately for me, vintage dresses just don’t work. One day I will have lots of money (haha, with my MA in English and 4 years of student loans!) and I will find someone to make me these types of dresses.
*wistful sigh*
May 21, 2009 at 6:15 pm
It’s funny, because I can’t wear vintage dresses because my boobs are too SMALL. I’ve looked at a lot, and the breast/waist differential tends to be at or near TEN INCHES. Sorry, if you’re an A-cup, that just ain’t happening.
May 21, 2009 at 6:22 pm
It’s true, Leslieanne, I generally find these dresses to be cut for larger breasted women.
Give it another try, Haguenite!
May 22, 2009 at 9:56 am
Kadinsk: I saw a ton with large bust sizes … well into the 40s. Give it a try!
May 22, 2009 at 11:51 am
LOVE this!!! I’m so glad they all fit, you stylish fabulous gal!
I also love wearing dresses. I will promptly look some up.
Also? My size 4 jeans I bought down there? Yeah, they’re too big…they’re more like a 6 or 8…Like you said about the vanity sizing…Why can’t they make the sizes letters or colours…I’m a size pink… ugh.
Can I put an ad in this comment, please:
Nine West size 4 jeans, WHITE, bootcut, worn only ONCE, need a good home, only cost $20…will ship anywhere, with love.
:)
May 22, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Nine west do jeans?
May 24, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Missed this for some reason… Yes, Nine West does jeans…weird, I know.
Am I sending these to you?
May 22, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Those dresses are beautiful!
If you want to get the Betty Draper poof I think you’ll need one of these-
http://www.tias.com/6361/PictPage/1922977378.html
May 23, 2009 at 12:18 am
Hey, I remember those last two! Glad you won.