So, if you have been reading all my recent blogs about a vintage weekend away, you will know that it has been leading up to the main dinner dance on the Saturday night.
I had my dress, my vintage style half hat and my hair had been coiffured in a perfect hairdo.
Michaela Works Her Magic
All I needed now was to get my makeup on, add my accessories and hit the ballroom!
The dress I was wearing was a beautiful gown that I bought back in October from the fabulous Jessakae
First Try On
I had adored it the very second that I saw it and I new it would be perfect for the Vintage weekend. Of course, it went into my basket and I eagerly awaited its arrival.
When it arrived, I had a look but didn’t bother to go the whole hog and do my hair and make-up. I just wanted to see how it fit (or didn’t)
A Bit Saggy
Thankfully it was a pretty good fit, however there was some room for improvement on the bust/shoulder area.
I knew just the person to help with this; Dora, my trusty seamstress!
Too Long But A Great Split
Popping to see her a month or so before the event, she pinned and measured, marked and wrote down what looked like secret code to me.
She told me she would take the skirt off from the bodice, re-build the bodice, taking the pleating out, fitting to my needs and re-pleating. This would then be added back onto the skirt which had been shortened, but from the waist rather than losing the perfect bottom edge.
The Finished Effect
I left the dress with her and arranged to go back a week later.
The following week I turned up at Dora’s to see a dress that looked exactly the same as when I had left it.
Custom Creations
I mean, it really didn’t look any different to previously. But that is just how amazing Dora is.
Putting the dress on, it fit like a glove. I wasn’t treading on the hem, the bust wasn’t gaping and my corset was not sticking out the top of the bodice.
Courtesy of Anna
She really was a wonder, with skills that are out of this world.
So, now was the time to debut the dress, and I headed down to the ballroom for the main event.
Ladies Who Tassel….
The dress was chiffon, which swayed and flowed, with a one shouldered design. I had sent details of the dress to the amazing Sarah Bloor at Pin Up Curls and she had created a stunning peach velvet half hat with beaded tassels.
It really was both simple in design, yet stunning.
The Amazing Boo and Gary
I accessorised with a simple pair of peach kitten heels and my sparkling walking stick.
Simple.
To Start
I headed down to the ballroom, meeting fellow vintagers along the way.
Exiting the lift, the lovely Anna was taking photographs of everyone in their finest garb. I joined the very short queue to get mine taken and then headed into the main ballroom to meet the others at our table.
Dinner
Tonight would be a proper old style dinner dance; a three course meal alongside live music that everyone could get up and foxtrot or jive or even a nice barn-dance.
Given that the knee still isn’t up to full mobility, I was more than happy to sit and watch this going on around me. It was very joyful to watch everyone giving it their best.
Time to Party
It also made for wonderful people watching, especially the beautiful outfits that everyone was wearing!
My choices for dinner were a ham hock terrine to start, chicken ballotine for the main and I finished it off with cheesecake.
Dessert Time
The music was provided by the Ashby Little Big Band alongside Kitty Lamare.
Classics from the late thirties and forties were performed beautifully by the band and were interspersed with recorded music by DJ Major Swing, and the guests were certainly enthusiastic over all the choices.
What a Location!
All in all, I had a marvellous time sat with wonderful friends, and chatting with lots of new people, which I always find so wonderful and interesting.
Hopefully many of them will return for 2026.
What A Dress!
I already have my place booked and I am already starting to plan my outfits!
