Monday 2 February 2015

My Lindy Bop Dresses

So, I've wanted a Lindy Bop dress for a looong time. I've put it off because I was unsure which size I'd take, blah, blah, blah. Then I got an email notification last year to say the dress I'd lusted after for so long was back in stock (and in the sale), so I knew now was the time to take the plunge. Wearing Lindy Bop Antoinette dress

It was the blue Antoinette, which isn't available now, though the Lisette would be the updated version (available in blue or black lace). I ordered a size 20 and though it fitted, I was a little disappointed with it. The dress itself is beautiful and such good quality, that you wouldn't believe how cheap it was (even at full price). There's so much fabric in that skirt, it's amazing! When I tried it on, it just wasn't quite right. The waist sits high on your natural waist and with my big boobs, that's pretty much just under my bust. At which point that full skirt starts. So it disguises my small waist and just made me feel tent-ish to be honest! I had been planning on wearing it at Christmas but didn't feel good in it, so wore something else instead. Lindy Bop blue Antoinette dress details
Come new year, I decided it was a waste just hanging there and decided to give it another go. It needs a belt, something to bring it in and define that small part, at which point I'm more than happy for the full swishy-ness of the skirt. It's got a bow on the back waist, so I wasn't sure a wide belt would work, yet that's what was needed because a thin one would sit below the waist seam and just look silly. The widest belt I have is this one and I personally hate black with blue, but tried it anyway and it really helped. It somehow managed to slip under the bow, cover the waist seam and pull me in, defining my waist and stopping the 'marquee' look, flowing from the bust! I'm much happier in it now, I just need this belt in another colour! It's got a bit of an odd high square neckline, perhaps not the most flattering on someone with a large chest, but I can live with that.  Shame I didn't take before and after shots to prove the difference the belt made, but trust me I looked like a whale.  Wearing Lindy Bop Wilma heart wiggle dress
I also picked up another sale dress, Wilma in a size 20. This is a wiggle dress and unfortunately was just tighter than I'd be comfortable in (around the middle), though a good fit elsewhere. So I think a 20 works for me in the swing dress, but the pencil ones I'd size up to a 22 to avoid VBO (visible belly outline). At least judging from these two. I'm a sucker for heart prints, so it's a pity this one wasn't any good. The bodice is lined and features a gorgeous collar and little heart buttons. I had this in my basket again at the weekend, when I placed another order. FYI (and I'm not an affiliate for them), there's 10% off site wide and it's been extended until midnight tomorrow (Tuesday 3rd), just enter PAYDAY10. I desperately wanted the new Doris wiggle dresses £29.99, the moment I saw them and they'd not been included in the discount codes before Christmas, so I got them this time. I ordered the blue and black, in a 22. Hopefully they won't be too big-I've never actually needed a 22 in anything before, so we shall see.  The floral prints are just so cheerful, especially that gorgeous sky-blue.  Lindy Bop blue floral Doris wiggle dress Lindy Bop black floral Doris wiggle dress
I also thought the Holly in classic floral £34.99 was lovely, so ordered that in a 20. The neutral colours of the print mean it can be brightened up with almost any colour, so I think it's a shoe lovers paradise!  I imagine all of my Vivienne Westwood/Melissa 'Lady Dragon' slingbacks will look good with this.  Lindy Bop floral Holly dress
Finally, I added the Vivi in yellow floral £34.99 (size 20) to my basket. I can't tell you how long I've wanted this dress. This and the original turquoise floral Ophelia (which I'm now thinking would be too 'booby' for me). It's one of the prettiest dresses I've ever seen and this is coming from someone who isn't particularly fond of yellow. It's just such a happy dress, I love it and really hope it fits. Lindy Bop yellow floral Vivi dress
I wanted a ton more, like I say the Wilma was an option, but also the navy floral Vivi, leopard collar Deanna wiggle, every Audrey and Lana, the skirts...yeah I could go on. However this little lot was all I could afford this time.  I hope my links are working, because I'm getting 'uh oh' messages on their site just now (seems to do that to me sometimes).  Anyway, most styles go up to a 22, some to a 26, so that's good for us plus size ladies. I knew once I bought one, I'd be hooked and that's perhaps partly why I was so apprehensive to begin with! On the retro theme, I've not yet bought anything from Collectif, but they've also been my obsession recently.  I spend hours just staring at what I could buy if money were no object!!  Do you have to pick sides with Lindy Bop v Collectif though or can you like both? Reminds me of the *NSync and Backstreet Boys days or Take That and NKOTB!  I'm expecting my order to arrive tomorrow, so I'll let you know how I get on with the sizing of these ones. That's another thing, delivery is super quick and cheap at just £1.95 (1st class) and returning was easy enough (though you have to pay return postage, exchanges are sent out free of charge).  Have you got any Lindy Bop in your wardrobe? I know there are die-hard fans with oodles! Please share with us, how you find the fit.

8 comments :

  1. I always have to size up in Lindy Bop because of my big boobs so you're not alone! The wiggle dress is amazing on you, you were born for them! xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah that's good to hear. I tried on the new ones today and am much more comfortable in the 22 in the wiggle. It's a bit big on the hips and waist, but doesn't cling like the 20 did.

      Delete
    2. Pink please help me!my hips are 48 inches (122cm) which size is better? I'm looking for Vanessa dress. ..20 is perfect for my measure but if is it to thight? :( thank you 💓💓

      Delete
    3. I personally always take one size larger than I usually would in the wiggle/straight styles. The size charts on Lindy Bop might help or reading customers reviews on their site also.

      Delete
  2. I got that greenpolka dot lindybop dress for Christmas that I posted about. I am definitely more for Lindybop than Collectif because Lindybop use cotton for their dresses and Collectif use other materials. Also Lindybop are cheaper.
    I'd definitely like another of their dresses. Yours are lovely and great to see an outfit post- I love your lacy dress!x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. The quality is so good and I love the stretch cotton used in my new ones. The lacey one is really heavy and like I said, so many metres in that skirt.

      Delete
  3. I love the dresses you picked and hope they will fit! I was just on their site and definitely could pick a couple (or all) of the dresses :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, I had such a hard time narrowing it down to this lot!

      Delete

Wowee your comments cheer me up!

Unfortunately I've had to disable anonymous comments for now, due to a high volume of spam.