dressupgirl

Holiday for glamourpuss. This skirt rustles, glints, sweeps and swirls round your hips. Lustrous black taffeta is matched to a velvet waistband. Skirt shows off a flocked design of large tumbling bows. Swish, swish, loveliness. size : extra large price : $40

Girlish shirtwaist dress. Pewter-grey, with silk floss detailing in black and white. Fabric has a soft, clingy drape. Jewel neck. Short sleeves. Wide skirt is pleated at waistline. Faux button placket shows off jumbo-sized round buttons. Back metal zipper. size : XLG/1X price : $52

One of the joys of fifties' vintagewear are those lovely skirts made from luxurious and one-of-a-kind tweeds and twills. Enjoyable of the day: herringbone-stripe pencil skirt in lipstick-red, maroon and black. You will kill in this skirt because the cut is fitted and narrow and all set to transform you into the archetypal "other". Front pleat vent. Tab-decorated side pocket. Below-knee-length. size : medium price : $66

Elegant ballet dress makes play with layers and textures. The bodice is crafted of a soft, yarn lace --- partly-lined with black faille and open-weave through the arms. Skirt is a gathered, swishing, sheer chiffon, lined with a rustle of faille. Glossy satin pipes the wide scoop neck and the bracelet-length sleeves. A sculptural satin belt cinches the waist… and ties you with a bow! size : sm/med petite price : $55

Magnificent, midnight-black evening gown. With the small, fitted bodice and enormous skirt typical to the extravagant New Look. Boned, sweatheart bodice, chantilly lace overdress and a fishtail of black net. Full circle skirt. Fully lined in faille taffeta. The lace comes down in four points below the hips. Add elegance to your tulle. A Norman Original. size : med/lg price : $310

A hollyhock top for Bettys. Short, boxy rayon/cotton blend blouse with dark-pink florals. Classic shirtwaist styling... Pin-tucks. Peter pan collar. Sleeves can cuff. Melt in your mouth. An Avril Wash 'n' Wear. size : medium price : $38

Simple silk sheath plays dark and conservative in the office --- get it in the sun and the silk pattern glows with highlights. Rich batik-print in royal blue, gold, rust-red, emerald and black. Elephants and wagon wheels hide in the elaborate pattern. Cut-slim and to the mid-calf. size : lg/ extra lg price : $48

Ahoy, matey! Ye can learn a few knots as you tie your jug. Reef knot, sheet bend, carrick bend, clove hitch & more. Brown, red, cream, black. A hand-printed Rooster tie. price : $22

Burlesque allure by Exquisite Form. Cone bra features circular stitching, black satin & white net lining, and satin straps with metal hardware. Sides and upper-bust are a sheer chantilly lace. Rated X. size : 38 B/C price : $48

Mid-century-Shaheen-wanna-be sarong dress by All That Jazz. Smocked-back. Boned bodice. Narrow, fitted. Overlapping, tulip-shaped skirt faux-ties to one side. Tapa-print --- executed in a New Wave palette: black, electric-purple, turquoise, gold. 1980's candy. size : small price : $46