Thursday, October 20, 2011

Won't go to Harlem in ermine and pearls

Have you ever found a dress that looked like one from an old movie... and didn't buy it? I have.

There's one style that pops up often in old films and every time it does, I say, "I love that!" But when I find a dress on Modcloth or ShopRuche that has a similar style, I don't buy it because I don't think I can pull it off. Here's the style:

Sheer fabric over a dress with a sweetheart cut. I love it! Here is one of my absolute, all-time favorite versions of this style:



Lena Horne's dress also has another of my favorite things: a different colored petticoat or slip (I'm not sure of the difference between the two). It makes the dress even more eye-catching! Isn't it gorgeous?! Another example is this little number from White Christmas.

But... as much as I love it on film, when I see dresses like these in shops, I think, "meh. Sheer fabric looks weird" and then I don't buy it. Why is it that in movies, the sheer fabric is sexy and elegant but nowadays, I'm afraid people will think I'm strange for wearing it? And why do I care what people think anyway?

And another thing! Why is it that in old movies, the dresses have capped sleeves or something, but nowadays, they're sleeveless?



It's not the same, somehow. Will I ever live out my dream of wearing Lena's dress?

The dresses pictured above, by the way, can be found here, here, and here.

Do any of you have similar problems with old movie styles?

2 comments:

  1. Ah! What darling dresses. I absolutely adore that style. I love sheer fabrics! Of course, I don't own any yet, but I plan to. :)

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  2. Beautiful!! I love Lena Horne.. and that style.. Great post!

    I am always dreaming for someone to invent a way so you just buy it from the film.. (In ideal version you'll get it as a gift..) You know: Watch a movie - like a dress or something (I LOVE shoes.. ahem..) and *pow* here they are: your size, your favourite colour.. *sigh*

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