The Marilyn Swimsuit

Summer may be officially be over in the land down under..

but I'm not ready to let it go that easily!

Especially since I was able to get my hand on this “ possibly too perfect to actually get wet” Pinup Couture Marilyn swimsuit in royal blue!!

 PUG know how to make you feel like a glamazon in absolutely every single creation of theirs and the Marilyn Swimsuit is no exception.

The Marilyn was designed with a few thing in mind...to be a vintage inspired, to flatter literally ever size and to be ultra comfortable. 

I must say they have seriously ticked every single one of those boxes!

 Being fully lined inside, the swimsuit defines your curves whilst the gathering helps hide every insecurity or imperfection. The top is padded and has built in cups which really helps with support, especially for us larger busted ladies, and the straps are adjustable. You can truly see the thought and care the PUG ladies have put into the Marilyn design. 

 Made from only the best Nylon/Spandex blend and available in 7 different colour choices, The Marilyn ranges from a size XS- 4XL and the sizes run true.

 I myself got the size small and it fits like a glove!

The Marilyn is available from the Pinup Girl Website and retails for US $102.

Its a definite splurge but 100% worth it!

https://www.pinupgirlclothing.com/blue-vintage-swimsuit.html

Much Love

Betté

xx

Where The Wicker Bags Live..

One thing I just love to collect are wicker bags.

Wether they be true vintage or new reproductions they are just a work of art that I adore.

Wicker and woven bags were highly popular in the 1950s, often contracted into novelty shapes to add a hint of quirkiness to an outfit. 

So today I thought I'd share where Ive found some amazing wicker & woven bags..

If you're like me you've scoured though page after page on eBay and Etsy but the prices are usually astronomical! Now in saying that.. if your willing to cheap regularly and put the time in sometimes you can snag a bargain. 

I found this red one for about $30 and this gorgeous brown woven purse was about $45 (those prices both included shipping). 

Ive found searching under different names can help the bargain hunt:

-wicker bag
-wicker purse
-woven bag 
-rattan bag
-vintage straw bag
etc.

My first recommendation would be to pop into antique stores, usually these shops are so focused on selling the big price items like furniture and jewellery that things like bags are marked quite cheap.

Now you have to be willing to look for bags, they are not always on display.

Look in boxes, under shelves and even at the bottom of the bargain boxes.

I picked up these bags below each for around $15 and they are in perfect condition.

 

Now for new wicker & woven bags, the best kept secret. 

Aliexpress!!!

A lot of big name companies actually purchase their wicker bags from Aliexpress but sew in their own labels and mark the prices up 100% or more. 

Again you may scour through a few pages to find some bargains (they will have many of the same products but with competitive prices) but they are totally worth it and they usually come with FREE SHIPPING.!!

I usually just search “wicker bags” and here are just some of the results..

 (some may look familiar..)

The snail bag is a Kate Spade knock off which retails for over $300!!

A lot of pinup companies are selling these bags for over $50

Another Kate Spade knock off again the real thing retails for over $300

Hope This helps you on your wicker bag hunt

Much Love

Betté

xx

Pastel Pretties

Im completely obsessed with pastels at the moment, who doesn't love a good baby pink or lavender colour way?!

This sweet outfit came together perfectly, Deadly dames capris in lavender paired with Collectif's Dolores Top and B.A.I.T Petra heels in Fair Pink to compliment the vintage wicker bag.

My good friend and photographer Emily Freeman and myself stepped out in King Edward Park to prance around and shoot this sweet outfit. 

We couldn't have picked a better day or location!

Now the perfect thing with wearing pastels is most of the time any shade or colour will compliment another. 

These capris have been worn here with baby pink and white but Ive worn them with lemon & baby blue and the outfits always look polished and complimentary.

Matching a pastel with blacks or whites can help draw the eye to the colour in the outfit and make it pop ( in this case the white top matched with the lavender pants, the first thing your eye looks at is the capris).

Now Ive raved on about deadly dames capris many times.. 

But seriously they are the holy grail of capris and if you have yet to buy yourself a pair..please do!

The capris are made of a blend material with heaps of stretch so they fit snuggly around both your waist and hips. Now as many ladies know this is a rare commodity in pants!

With the zip at the back they really pull you in and mould to your body, giving you a sexy heart shaped booty and also (for me) the capris hide that belly bloat from the burger I ate for lunch!

 

The shoes, omg the shoes!!!

One of my first pair of B.A.I.T heels and I couldn't be more impressed. 

These platform Petra heels give me the height I so desperately need and also are ridiculously comfortable.

Im a wide-footed lady and usually jump between a 6, 6.5 or a 7.

Because most shoes are narrow I tend to go up a size but then the shoe becomes to long for my foot.. needless to say shoe shopping (especially shoe shopping online) is a nightmare. 

But I thought I would take the plunge and order 2 pairs of B.A.I.T heels in 6.5 and hallelujah they fit like a glove!! 

Now I just can't wait to grow my collection.

Emily so sweetly brought along some vintage cameras for me to have a play around with, this amazing one is a polaroid camera and it was huge.

Em has quite the collection, she brought about 6 on this day. 

All photos were taken by Emily Freeman

Much Love 

Betté

xx

The Crystal Cocktail Dress

Do you ever get so excited when you see a dress online and you know it has to be yours?

That was me with the Crystal dress by Tatyana.

I mean just look at her...

With a scooped neckline, full skirt and the most adorable embroidered flower detail, 

this dress breathes elegance. 

 She is made from the softest cotton blend and is fully lined.

What I love about the crystal is it also comes with a built in tulle slip to give the dress amazing shape and the option to go with or without a petticoat.

 The adorable scooped neckline at the front of the dress is beautifully complimented with a low angled back, giving the crystal a modest sexiness, and with the assistance of the belt bringing in the waist, the crystal gives you the silhouette even Betty Draper would crave!

Having tried on Tatyana designs before I was aware that there sizes run a bit big, usually Im a small in other designs (and the size chart refers me to a small) but for the crystal I went for the X-Small and  thankfully it fits perfectly!

  Size Chart: XXS-4XL

	XXS	XS	S	M	L	XL	XXL	3XL	4XL
Dress Size	0'-2'	2'-4'	4'-6'	6'-8'	8'-10'	10'-12'	12'-14'	14'-16'	16'-18'
Bust	30"	32"	34"	36"	38"	40"	42"	44"	46"
Waist	22"	24"	26"	28"	30"	32"	34"	36"	38"
Hip	33"	35"	37"	39"	41"	43"	45"	47"	49"

This dress is perfect for any formal event or if your like me just to parade around in at home or whilst doing your grocery shopping!

I complimented the Crystal with shoes by Ruby, Earrings by Collectif, lipstick is rose from Natio

 and Pearls From Matthews Jewellers.

All photographs were taken by the extremely talented and beautiful 

Emily Freeman.

Emilyfreemanphotography.com

If you get to spoil yourself with one dress this year...

Let it be the Crystal!

Tatyana currently have the Crystal for 30% off!!!

http://www.tatyana.com/dresses/crystal

Much Love 

Betté

xx

Break of the Day Dress

Banned Apparel have created this gorgeous rose motif dress in true 1950s style. 

Everything from the boat neckline to the full pleated skirt, this is a vintage lovers must!

I found this beauty in my local vintage inspired store, Miskonduct and my breath was literally taken away just from the stunning colour (side note.. On my online adventures I have seen that this dress also comes in a lovely grey).

The dress is made from a poly/cotton blend so there isn't a lot of stretch to the dress but it definitely runs true to size, and ranges from a XS-XL.

 (Im wearing the size small). 

Sizes are as follow:

                    BUST         WAIST      HIPS

XS/6            32-33          24-25          34

S/8               34-35          26-27          36

M/10            36-37          28-29          38

L/12             38-39          30-31          40

XL/14          40-41          32-33          42

The dress has a hidden side zip and all buttons at front come undone, along with the large beat neckline this dress is quite easy to put on and take off. 

The ribbon pulls in the waist and with the assistance of a petticoat (or two like I've worn, for extra shape) gives the quintessential 1950s silhouette.

The capped sleeves are perfectly delicate, but sufficient enough for the "arm conscious" like myself!

These pictures were taken by my gorgeous cousin Clair in Cooks Hill, Newcastle. The beautiful historic homes and streets lined with fig trees, we could have spent hours just walking the streets in admiration.  

 

The gorgeous vintage hat Im wearing I was lucky enough to find it in a local antique shop for only $35. It works in perfectly with this stunning dress.

 

Hat, handbag and earrings: Vintage

Shoes: Ruby Shoes

Hope you have all had a beautiful weekend. 

Keep an eye out for my hair tutorials which Ive started filming and will be posting in the next coming weeks.

Much Love

Betté

xx