Rebecca Dress: MichyLouDotCom
Shoes: Chie Mihara via eBay
Check out the BEEHIVE, GUYS! The higher the hair, the closer to heaven, right?
No tutorial for this splendiferous coiffure, I’m afraid. It’s well beyond my meagre skills (not to mention my abhorrence for teasing and hairspray). Both hair and makeup were the result of Sunday’s stint modelling for Bombshell Vintage‘s awesome new line Atomic Bombshell.
That afternoon’s picnic plans having been cancelled due to inclement weather (oh, Melbourne) I thought rather than waste the glamorous hard work bestowed upon me I’d don the “Rebecca” dress that the wonderful Michelle Tan, (of the floral peter-pan collar blouse) sent to me to try. That way you could get the full sixties effect of beehive and catseye while you checked out how the unusual fit-and-flare/empire-line/princess-seams combo fares on a larger body.
Pretty bloody well, I’d say.
I don’t actually have a particularly curvy figure. My bust-waist-hip measurements are more “top-heavy pear” than “hourglass”. I wasn’t sure how this fit would work on me, as it’s a combination of styles I usually steer away from.
Princess lines are often a disaster on my figure as I’m quite short waisted, so I usually wind up with a little pouf of fabric sitting like a spare tire around my midriff. And of course, we all know that big boobs plus empire-line often equals “how far along are you, dear?” (Side note: unless a woman is in labor you should NEVER ask them if they’re having a baby.)
MichyLou’s special custom-style seems to bypass these issues with a couple of cunning tweaks.
There are six darts in the front and back panels of this dress, which – and I’m not not sure how – magically eliminate the fit issues I’ve always had with princess seams. The bodice fits my midriff closely; not clinging, but making the most of my waist before flaring out at the hips. It creates a gentler, and more flattering line than a skirt where the fullness starts at the waist.
The seam of the empire line doesn’t actually start immediately below the bust, but 1.5″ above the under-bust line. I was particularly interested to see how this would look, as I have bad memories of singlet tops where the “boob pockets” (my sister’s term for them) weren’t big enough to encompass The Ladies. The result is very natural looking. It elongates the torso, and gives the illusion of higher breasts.
I’m completely sold on the fit and style of the dress, and as before Michelle’s workmanship is exceptional. The fabric’s a cotton blend, and though I thought the fabric would crush beyond all repair if I so much as looked at it sideways, there’s enough lycra in the fabric that it’s not too bad. I’ve got my eye on the Sandra now, which is the fully-lined, wool-and-sleeved version of the Rebecca. I’ve had it on my wish list for over two years now, and knowing how well the style fits it might be time to take the plunge!
Magnificent!
Thank you, Anna <3
Wow, LOVE the hair. The whole outfit is fab, that colour green is stunning.
Thank you, Louella! I think I need more bright green in my wardrobe! 😉
Wow, you look amazing. Loving the hair and makeup !
Thank you so much, Tam! I should probably learn how to do a proper bee-hive one of these days
Wow, I have to say that I think this is one of my most favourite looks on you – you look absolutely incredible!
Aw, thanks Brenda!
Love love love!! You look miraculous! 😀
LOL, thank you Leslie! It’s definitely a miraculous frock!
Smokin!
Thanks Tiya!
You look fabulous! The hair looks even higher in these photos than the one you posted on instagram! That’s also such a clever construction of this dress with the higher than usual empire seamline.
Thanks Dilly — isn’t it? I wasn’t sure how it would work, so I was pretty impressed to see the result.
Oh my gosh, I love all of your looks but this one is particularly fantastic. You look amaaazing, between the dress/hair/shoes/you. I love it!
Thanks, Tamara! I couldn’t quite decide on the right shoes, so it’s good to know these ones worked!
That dress is *perfect* on you! It looks the way I want a dress of that style to look & feel. Totally love everything about this!
Thank you, Molly! It’s a great dress. I’ve layered it over long sleeves too like a pinafore.
Your hair and glasses are the perfect combo. You look fantastic in this!
Thank you, Monica! I still love my glasses. Definitely the best thing I bought in NYC
Oh wow – so gorgeous xx
Thanks so much, Cilla 🙂
You hair is stunning & your eyelashes are to die for!
The green really suits you, Lilli. I have a dress from Michelle in the same style that I bought a few years ago. It was wonderfully flattering…I say was as after having my son my rib cage expanded & I had to pass it a long to a friend (who loves it too).
That’s good to know, Jo! It’s such an unusual cut, I was really impressed with how it looked.
Amazing hair and fab makeup! Also, that green is a great colour on you. You look like you’re off to star in a BBC retro drama 🙂
Thank you, Catherine!
WOW. I don’t usually comment, because I read you through an RSS (sorry!), but I had to click through and say WOW. You look AMAZING. The hair and the color of the dress and the whole package. Gorgeous.
Thanks so much, Harmony! And for commenting too! (no need to apologise, I’m a lurker too!)
You really do look fantastic! The colour and fit is really good. How does the sizing run in this dress?
Hi Sarah,
Michelle sews to fit, so I just filled out her measurements form, and she made this in size “Lilli”!
Meeooow!
LOL, I do feel very “what’s new Pussycat?”!
Girl, you got it goin on!
LOL, thanks, Jamile!
You really took my breath away with this look today. Kudos to your hairstylist – that beehive is MAGICAL.
Isn’t it impressive! She did this in a tent, with no electricity. I am highly, highly impressed.
Oh what a gorgeous vibrant color- you look stunning!
I don’t have anything else in my wardrobe this colour. I was interested to see how it looked!
WOW! Fantastic look! 🙂 Nothing else to say- you look purrrfect!
Thank you, Alena. <3
PHOOAAAAR! Smoking hot! You look amazing! 🙂
LOL, Thank you very much!
Wow, gorgeous!! Love that colour on you too 😀
Thank you, Laura 🙂 It’s a good colour!
Wow. Nice! I don’t think I would have picked that pattern for myself but you have tempted me to give it a try. (Like I need another pattern)
Me neither Lynn. I’m pretty impressed with how it looks!
Stunning!!!!!!!!!!! love the dress and the color looks awesome on you
It’s a grew colour, isn’t it iksui! I’ve never worn it before, but it’ll be great in summer.
gorgeous!!!
Thanks, Janet!
ooooooooh 😀 girl, you look just supergorgeous! 🙂
Thank you, Lena! I felt pretty glam.
You look fantastic! You wear this dress beautifully!
Ah, thank you Lainie. It’s a beautiful dress!
HUBBA HUBBA!!!!
LOL, thanks Tami 🙂
Really gorgeous, this is definitely one of my favourites of your looks. That lipstick is total bombshell.
I always feel like red lippy makes me look carnivorous, but maybe I just need to find the right hue! Thanks Phoebilly 🙂
Lilli, you need to get yourself some cats-eyes to go with that beehive. Which you rock, by the way. Gorgeous green on you too. Love it!
I actually have a pair of true vintage cats eyes! It didn’t occur to me to wear them, damn! Next time!
You look great! What hair colour do you request at the hairdressers? It’s such a nice colour! Would you mind telling me where you go and who cuts/colours your hair? Such a great job!
this is your best outfit yet!! love the hair, the dress, shoes and lippy!! great look 🙂
You look fantastic, such a good look for you
Love this – I got a great Hobbs dress last year in this green 🙂 Mine has a tie in front that shouldn’t work but does 😮
Greatdescription of “top-heavy pear”!! That’s me, too, which is why I like seeing what you choose to show off your body… Have also had garments with this trick of minimising the bust by a slightly higher empire seam and agree it works but yes, you have to watch the ones where there is simply not enough fabric to accomodate the rack ;))
Carry on – you’re a great inspiration even to an old gal like me!
Swit-swoo! I’ve never really used the term “foxy” before, but it came to mind when I saw this pic. Also, I love your definition of your body shape as “top heavy pear”. I have a similar shape to you – kinda hourglass-y but without the teeny waist. Trinny & Susannah describe that as a “cello” body. That’s a pretty sexy instrument, so I’m going to run with that 🙂
Seriously, this look is a KILLER. You look amazing.
Ah, thanks Michal!
Have ony just seen this after getting back from Italy. Now I know why Melissa asked me to take a picture of two women eating at the restaurant we were in at Rome airport. They both had beehives.
I’m starting to think maybe I have to learn how to do one myself!