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Fashion Outfit of The Day Shopping

Pretty Retro 40s Style Tea  Dress Review

July 20, 2016

Earlier this year I went to one of my first 1940s themed events. I usually dress in 1950s style clothes, with the occasional dabble into the 60s and 70s. When it came to finding an outfit suitable for the era I found it a little tricky. In the end I wore my peony print dress from House of Foxy that I reviewed last year. But it got me thinking how nice it would be to have a few 1940s style outfits to wear to events and that I really needed to fill that decades gap in my wardrobe.

Pretty Retro Red Ditsy Tea Dress

Last year at London Edge I visited the House of Foxy stand, where they were not only displaying the amazing clothing from their range but also a selection of clothing from a new brand that they have launched in the last few months. Pretty Retro is an affordable reproduction vintage brand, which sells key pieces to create a vintage look. As a huge fan of House of Foxy I am so excited by this range. The designs are simpler and are more suitable for everyday wear, so where House of Foxy is perfect for those show stopping extra special outfits, Pretty Retro provide the kind of clothes you could wear to work or for a lunch date.

To me this brand really fills a gap in the reproduction vintage market and I’m really excited to see what else they have coming up in the future. They kindly offered me the chance to review one of their dresses. I jumped at the chance, especially because a 40s style tea dress had been exactly what I was looking for. I opted for the Pretty Tea Dress in Red Ditsy. This is a simple viscose tea dress, perfect for an everyday 40s look.

Pretty Retro Tea Dress Review

What I love about the dress is that it is simple and easy to wear while still having some really gorgeous details. It has a typical 1940s neckline and slightly puffed shoulders and has a super flattering gathered detail at the front and a little bow. The fabric is a lovely flow viscose which makes it hang beautifully. I have worn it 3 times this week already because it is the perfect dress to wear in a heatwave. The dress isn’t fitted so the light fabric skims over the body, which is so comfortable.

Red Ditsy 1940s Tea Dress Pretty Retro

Fit wise I went for a 14, as the dress has no zip or fastenings and is quite loose fitting, I think this was the right size to go for and I think it comes up pretty true to size. The bias cut of the fabric, gives it a beautifully flattering drape and I found it really easy to wear.

As usual I added a vintage Enid Collins bag to the outfit, although not era appropriate, I think they go with everything and I’m not a stickler for keeping everything authentic, I like to dress like me! I also wore my Orla Kiely for Clarks Abigail shoes, which are probably my all time favourite shoes. Although they are 70s inspired I think they work well with 40s style dresses too. I finished the look with a stack of simple vintage bakelite and plastic bangles and a vintage bead necklace. I will definitely be wearing this dress to my next 40s event, with slightly more authentic hair and accessories.

Pretty Retro Red Ditsy Tea Dress Review

The quality of the dress was really nice. The fabric is absolutely lovely and the details make it that little bit more special. The dress costs £49 which I think is just right and I think it is something I will keep for many years to come and wear a lot. The dress also comes in a blue tiki print and a black polka dot, both of which I would really like to add to my wardrobe.

The whole range is really exciting and includes a wiggle dress and a really beautiful swing dress as well as basic wardrobe staples such as capris, swing trousers and pencil skirts. If you are new to vintage or just want to expand your vintage wardrobe, this is a really great place to start. I’m really hoping this dress comes out in more prints, because I would love to have more.

See the full range on the Pretty Retro website. 

*Thank you so much to Pretty Retro for sending me the dress for review. All opinions as usual are entirely my own. 

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  • Reply
    Jessica Cangiano
    July 21, 2016 at 9:15 pm

    So splendidly lovely! Your handbag is a delight as well. I adore those great 50s – 70s bejeweled style ones so much.

    xoxo ♥ Jessica

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