21st birthday party... outfit help needed!

**katerpillar** · July 8th, 2009, 08:48 AM

You guys all seem to have a fantastic sense of style, so I come to you once again in my hour of fashion need. This time I need some ideas for my 21st birthday party outfit. I gave the party the theme "A Day at the Races" - I know, sounds kinda pretentious, but the best way to get people my age into cocktail dresses/suits for a party is to trick them into thinking it's a costume.

Anyway, I've already bought the dress. Pic:

Yep, it's the same one that Blair wore in the Season 1 finale of Gossip Girl.

I picked it just because I think it's an awesome design, though. She has the same colouring as me (pale, dark hair, dark eyes), so I knew that at least it would suit me in that regard. I'm planning to get the dress taken up to knee-length, because I'm short and so calf-length skirts tend to make me look stumpy.

Problem: what colour should the accessories be?! All white, eg: white gloves, bag, shoes and fascinator-hat-type thingie? Or maybe a combination of white and navy? Or perhaps white gloves with red stuff? Only, if I do that and then I decide I want to wear red lipstick, it'd all look a bit OTT '50s. Hmm! Luckily I still have 3 weeks before my party to gather it all together.

Heeeeeeelp, please! Any opinions/tips would be great.

(As worn on Gossip Girl. I seriously love the dress and feel like one photo isn't enough.

)

**Penny Lane** · July 8th, 2009, 09:00 AM

I love the idea of red accessories. Maybe red gloves and a white hat?

Vintage 1960's Ladies White Open Pillbox Hat with Veil - eBay (item 110409470300 end time Jul-09-09 22:35:00 PDT)

Ladies Vintage White Feathers Blue Bow Tilt Hat! 40's - eBay (item 250457321236 end time Jul-09-09 19:00:39 PDT)

or black maybe?

Vintage 40's Felt Flowers Tilt Hat - eBay (item 220449034432 end time Jul-14-09 17:43:38 PDT)

Definitely punch up the outfit with some color and wear red gloves. Happy Birthday!

**Daphne** · July 9th, 2009, 06:12 PM

Ohhh I love that. Where did you buy it?

**McJag** · July 9th, 2009, 06:58 PM

OMG! I love THAT DRESS!!! I am glad I won't be in the room with you!
I like a white hat w/veil-good for your hair color. Something kinda like Penny's white one,but a bit more delicate. Red or white short gloves.

**calcifer** · July 10th, 2009, 02:22 AM

great dress! for some reason, i'm thinking of beads when i see that dress. maybe a simple red beaded necklace? and a navy hat (with a white accent) & shoes. and i also love the idea of a red handbag with that dress.

**missjuicy** · July 10th, 2009, 07:39 AM

id go with simple things....i like silver for it but the red would be the way id go! i hoit red clutch....mmmm can i borrow when ur done? lol

**katerpillar** · July 13th, 2009, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by Daphne

Ohhh I love that. Where did you buy it?

You can get it from a few places, but the least expensive stockist that I could find was at: BETTIE PAGE CLOTHING-Captain Dress-Pinup Dress-Retro Clothing

So, basically it sounds like any combination of red, white or blue would work?

Thanks guys! I've given up trying to decide based on colour... I think I shall go looking for hats/fascinators in the above colours and decide the rest from there, once I find one that I've fallen in love with.

**Kittylady** · July 13th, 2009, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by Penny Lane

Ladies Vintage White Feathers Blue Bow Tilt Hat! 40's - eBay (item 250457321236 end time Jul-09-09 19:00:39 PDT)

Oooh! I'm not a hat person bit I LOVE that one!

**SweetPea** · July 13th, 2009, 01:38 PM

A pearl choker might be nice.

**Penny Lane** · July 13th, 2009, 03:40 PM

I found some other really cute hats, katerpillar..

~Stylish vintage '40s red felt tilt hat~felt flowers~ - eBay (item 330344310852 end time Jul-19-09 19:40:25 PDT)

'40s Navy blue straw hat~wide brim~taffeta bow - eBay (item 260369648383 end time Jul-28-09 12:21:20 PDT)

http://hollyvoguevintage.com/50shat04.jpg

YART SALE. 1940's Vintage Hat - Navy and White Sailor by TheHotsyTotsyShop on Etsy

Nautical Sailor Pill Box Hat by emeraldangel on Etsy[]=tags&includes[]=title

navy vintage madelaine hat with bows by atouchofvintage on Etsy[]=tags&includes[]=title

**McJag** · July 13th, 2009, 03:59 PM

I love that navy & white sailor!

**katerpillar** · July 14th, 2009, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by Penny Lane

I found some other really cute hats, katerpillar..

~Stylish vintage '40s red felt tilt hat~felt flowers~ - eBay (item 330344310852 end time Jul-19-09 19:40:25 PDT)

'40s Navy blue straw hat~wide brim~taffeta bow - eBay (item 260369648383 end time Jul-28-09 12:21:20 PDT)

http://hollyvoguevintage.com/50shat04.jpg

YART SALE. 1940's Vintage Hat - Navy and White Sailor by TheHotsyTotsyShop on Etsy

Nautical Sailor Pill Box Hat by emeraldangel on Etsy[]=tags&includes[]=title

navy vintage madelaine hat with bows by atouchofvintage on Etsy[]=tags&includes[]=title

Oooh, they're all heaps cute! I especially love the Madeline-like one.

I'm a little reluctant to order anything from the US at this stage though, as it's only in a couple of weeks and shipping will either be slow or express and expensive.

I'm definitely thinking a sort of pillbox-type hat, if I go with a hat... or maybe some kind of fancy headband. I suck at styling my hair, so at least a headband I could just take on with minimal complications.