The last squeeze of summer!

Surprised to see me back so soon after my little summer break? Have faith my lovelies, I'm back for good now!

So, before the temperature drops and we have to start wrapping up I thought I'd just squeeze in one more summer outfit for you to cast your eyes over, and this one is pretty special!

Now, you may be thinking "yes, it's s pretty white summer dress with red detailing, but what's the big deal?", well my sweet, the big deal is that not only is this a dress from Bettie Page Clothing, one of the most highly regarded and accurate label's for vintage inspired clothing, but it's also from the Gil Elvgren range of Bettie Page Clothing which is why I'm so excited about it!

Not sure who Gil Elvgren is? Well, let me fill you in,  American Gil Elvgren was, and remains in my opinion, the best pin up artist in the world. Between the mid 1930's up to 1972 Gil Elvgren produced over 500 paintings of beautiful women with sumptuous curves and a saucy twinkle in their eye, and more often than not flashing a stockinged thigh or two! If you haven't seen his cheeky pin up's, then I can guarantee you would have seen some of his illustrations for Coca Cola depicting the all American way of life. Nowadays, his influence can be seen everywhere, from tattoos (I have 2 of his ladies on me) to shampoo adverts. Have you realised I'm a fan yet?!

The dress is a replica from one of Elvgren's painting's called 'Pretty Please' and I think it's an honour to own a dress with the slightest link to this great artist...

For Bettie Page to create a range duplicating the dresses from these paintings is a stroke of genius; not only are they creating from a great archive and producing period accurate dresses, they're providing their clients with the opportunity to feel like a real pin up!

Now, I digress, back to the outfit...Although Bettie Page Clothing is an American label and I got this dress whilst I was out there, it is available in the UK, I know one place that stocks this brand is Stop Traffic Clothing (www.stoptrafficclothing.co.uk) and I believe it's also in the sale right now, so grab yourself a bargain!

As you'll see below, I've teamed it with white raffia wedges from New Look (www.newlook.com) as I think these keep with the casual daytime feel of the dress, for me, it's not really dressy enough for heels and an evening look.

Again, keeping the accessories simple I've chosen a leather weave detail barrel bag from Dorothy Perkins (www.dorothyperkins.com), I love this bag and team it with so many outfits, subsequently, I dread the day when it gets shabby and I can't use it any more...

I really like the different textures from shoe to handbag, I think it all adds to the casual feel of the outfit, rather than trying to be 'matchy matchy'.

For jewellery, I would also keep that simple and retro, I've opted for plastic red love heart studs, I'm not sure where they are from but I think they add to the kitsch/cute image that this dress exudes...

Another week, another outfit which I hope you love, obviously, you've probably guessed that this is a favourite of mine and I'm excited to share it with you.

Please let me know what you think, I'd love to read your comments below.

Don't forget, you can follow me on Twitter (LucilleVonFrock) & Facebook. If you need to contact me, then email me at helen@lucille-von-frock.co.uk or call me on 07547 635870 - don't be a stranger, get in touch! xx

Ps: Be sure to have a gander at my Von Frock's Vintage Hen's website (www.vonfrocksvintagehens.co.uk) and 'LIKE' it's page on Facebook!

Von Frock's Vintage Hens Facebook Page!

If you are coming to London for your Hen Night and wish to indulge in some burlesque fun get in touch, I will come to your hotel, dress you and your friends, arrange for your hair & make up to be done in a vintage style then send you off with tickets to the top Burlesque show in London!! It's all so VERY exciting!

Au revoir  my lovelies!!

Better late than never!

Well, well well! How are you? I hope you have had a wonderful summer. Speaking of which, I know it is almost over and I have not been around for it but I can assure you, I have been busy, busy, busy researching more beautiful and exciting outfits for my blog, aswell as dealing with many lovely clients AND setting up my vintage hen nights business; Von Frock's Vintage Hens.

So, for any of you who are lucky enough to still have your 2011 sunshine holiday to look forward to, this week's blog will be perfect for you....

This is one of my very favourite holiday outfits, I wear it every time we go on holiday and I love it, not only is it cute, kitsch and 50's but very flattering too...

The dress is from Betsey Johnson (www.betseyjohnson.com) and is actually a skirt! Although, I've worn it as it should be a few times with a simple white vest, I really do prefer it as a dress. I adore the hawaiian style fruit/pineapple print in the striking  blue and white, while the fitted shape in the jersey material clings to all the right places!

As you see, to accentuate the female curves even more so, I've added an elasticated red belt, nothing too formal or severe and still making the outfit really comfortable.

To match the belt (although they look different shades in the photo, they don't in real life) I've teamed a cute red heart shaped handbag, a friend bought this for me from Topshop (www.topshop.com) years ago, but I've seen similar bags only just this summer in many shops.

Now shoe wise, I think the obvious choice is a red wedge; comfortable but still adding height and lengthening the leg...

You may remember these shoes from a previous blog, they're from Marks & Spencer (www.marksandspencer.com) and although they're no longer available now as the autumn/winter seasons are now in stock, I'm still seeing many similar types around the stores and most of them in the sale, so now is the time to grab a bargain!

As for jewellery, to keep with the hawaiian and beachy theme I opted for a a pair of synthetic shell type earrings and a 'surfer dude' shell necklace bought from a beach resort many years ago for about £2!

As a finishing touch, I like to pin my hair up and add a red flower to complete the look...

So, that's it for this week, I hope you like my 50's hawaiian outfit and are inspired to go for something similiar next time you're either on holiday or enjoying the 1 day of summer we get here in the UK!

Please let me know what you think, I'd love to read your comments below.

Don't forget, you can follow me on Twitter (LucilleVonFrock) & Facebook. If you need to contact me, then email me at helen@lucille-von-frock.co.uk or call me on 07547 635870 - don't be a stranger, get in touch! xx

Ps: Be sure to have a gander at my Von Frock's Vintage Hen's  website (www.vonfrocksvintagehens.co.uk) and 'LIKE' it's page on Facebook!

Von Frock's Vintage Hens Facebook Page!

If you are coming to London for your Hen Night and wish to indulge in some burlesque fun get in touch, I will come to your hotel, dress you and your friends, arrange for your hair & make up to be done in a vintage style then send you off with tickets to the top Burlesque show in London!! It's all so VERY exciting!

The Simple White Shirt...

Apologies, apologies, apologies for not updating my blog last week lovely people - unfortunately, some swine out there gave me their contaminated germs which resulted in me having a stinker of a cold and taking to my boudoir for a few days, ghastly I know!!

Anyway, I'm here again, alive and well and ready give you my latest look for you gals about town!!!

As you'll see from the title above, this week is all about the simple white shirt, and how it can change a look completely....

To start with, here is a picture of one of my favourite dresses...

On first impact it's easy to pigeonhole this beautiful black & white polka dot dress from La Frock (www.lafrock.com) as something for the evening, thrown together with a pair of black heels, a cute clutch and slick of red lipstick and you're away for a night on the tiles...

However, add a crisp white shirt and a pair or black wedges and it's a different look altogether...

The shirt is from H & M (www.hm.com) and because of the short capped sleeves with the turn up detail I think it gives a vintage feel, aswell as being tied at the front, which never fails to give a rockabilly vibe...

The black wedges are from Marks & Spencer (www.marksandspencer.com) and are incredibly comfortable because of the slight platform, I like that they add polish to the outfit by adding height yet they're still very wearable, I've literally walked miles in them, making this outfit not only acceptable for a laid back evening out, but also for the daytime...

Accessories-wise, I would go for a simple hoop pair of earrings but leave the neck bare, adding a chunky bracelet on the wrist.

Now for 'arm candy', I would more or less say anything goes - apart from metallics, obviously a black bag, small or large, depending whether you're wearing the outfit for the daytime or evening, would be fine but I personally would add a brightly coloured bag so as to give a 'pop'.

I hope this week's post has shown you that although you may have a gorgeous dress in your wardrobe that you always wear with the same shoes and handbag, sometimes it's worth looking at it with fresh eyes and seeing if by adding something extra to it, it can transform it into a different outfit altogether, giving it more than one dimension.

So, another week, another look which I hope you love. Please let me know what you think, I'd love to read your comments below.

Don't forget, you can follow me on Twitter (LucilleVonFrock) & Facebook. If you need to contact me, then email me at helen@lucille-von-frock.co.uk or call me on 07547 635870 - don't be a stranger, get in touch! xx

Ps: I'm about to embark on a new adventure, all this talk of wedding's has given me the urge to make sure all you beautiful bride's to be out there have a Hen Night to remember, so Von Frock's Vintage Hen's is almost here!! If you are coming to London for your Hen Night and wish to indulge in some burlesque fun get in touch, I will come to your hotel, dress you and your friends, arrange for your hair & make up to be done in a vintage style then send you off with tickets to the top Burlesque show in London!! It's all so VERY exciting!

It's Wedding Season!!

Hello lovely ladies of Blogsville!! Have you missed me or have you been too busy marvelling at how stunningly beautiful Kate Middleton, or as we are now to call her, the Duchess of Cambridge, looked on her wedding day?! To any of my Facebook friends out there, did you enjoy my commentary throughout the whole event? I laughed, I cried, then cried a little bit more, then cried a little bit more - I'm definitely a crier at weddings!

So, all this talk of wedding's begs the question of what to wear for such an occasion, and this week I've opted for something I think would be suitable on all levels, smart, sophisticated but still showing that Von Frock sparkle...

Gorgeous isn't it? This halterneck polka dot dress is from Vivien of Holloway (http://www.vivienofholloway.com/). I've added the elasticated white belt to it to accentuate the waist area, which I think is always a good look. So, a cute dress with a nice belt, where are the obligatory shoes and handbag I hear you cry? Here you go...

Now I know some people are a little confused when it comes to wearing white at a wedding, but rest assured, white accessories are fine, I think it's turning up in a full on white gown that may annoy the bride! You're probably aware now that I love a platform peeptoe, for me a platform heel not only looks great, it's easy on the feet too, giving the impression of a super high heel but the platform making it a little easier on the soles. These shoes are from River Island (http://www.riverisland.com/). The straw clutch is from ASOS (http://www.asos.com/) and I love it. Straw accessories give such a feeling of vintage and summertime and I like this one because of it's size. It's quite large for a clutch, but that's because it originally had a gold and leather Chanel style strap, so was an over the shoulder bag, I took the strap off though to give it a less casual look.



All in all, I think this is a great outfit for a wedding, however you don't just have to stop at adding shoes and a handbag, as is the case with many weddings it's nice to wear something on the head, for this dress, to keep in with the look of the era, I would add a couple of white hair flowers to one side of the head or perhaps a white fascinator, but stay away from anything with a net veil on the front, as we'll be right back to that annoying of the bride again!

However, if you're not really into hair accessories or hats how about pepping up the dress with a corsage to give the outfit a little something extra...

The flower I've added here was from Accessorize (http://www.accessorize.com/) a few years ago and is actually for the hair, but clips just as easily onto a dress. These kind of hair flowers can be bought from lots of places, so it's just a matter of keeping an eye out for them.  Here's another option of how to wear it...

I think this outfit is worthy of an invite to any Royal wedding, maybe Harry & Chelsy next?! Whilst not all of us may have the big buck's to spend like royalty, or Victoria Beckham, on an outfit, looking great can still be achieved on a modest budget and we can still feel like a million dollars!

So, another week, another look which I hope you love. Please let me know what you think, I'd love to read your comments below.

Don't forget, you can follow me on Twitter (LucilleVonFrock) & Facebook. If you need to get in touch email me at helen@lucille-von-frock.co.uk and call me on 07547 635870 - don't be a stranger, get in touch! xx

Ps: I'm about to embark on a new adventure, all this talk of wedding's has given me the urge to make sure all you beautiful bride's to be out there have a Hen Night to remember, so Von Frock's Vintage Hen's is almost here!! If you are coming to London for your Hen Night and wish to indulge in some burlesque fun get in touch, I will come to your hotel, dress you and your friends, arrange for your hair & make up to be done in a vintage style then send you off with tickets to the top Burlesque show in London!! It's all so VERY exciting!







Time For Tea!

Hello lovely ladies, I hope you have been enjoying the glorious sunshine and have had a wonderful week.

Now, I may seem a little downbeat this week as I just spent the last hour and half writing this week's blog, then deleted it all by accident - to say I could have cried is an understatement - and this is why I don't trust computers!

Anyway, onto this week's brief...I've used the title above 'Time For Tea', and what does tea mean to Lucille Von Frock? TEA DRESSES! Now, I love tea dresses, they offer an air of sophistication and make me feel like a grown up!

The tea dress I'm showing is my absolute favourite, as soon as I saw it I fell in love with it. It's vibrant colours and silk fabric make it so elegant and easy to wear. So here it is, I hope you like it...

Here is a close up of the blouse section, showing better the fabric covered buttons and pleat detailing on the bust...



The dress is from one of my favourites shops, Betsey Johnson, you'll notice I mention her on here quite a lot. I find her designs cute and colourful, with an air of fun and frivolity, Betsey Johnson doesn't do understated!

With a dress so colourful it makes accessorising very easy, there are a number of colours in the fabric to choose from, so I've given you a few variations...

First up are my red leather patent River Island shoes with raffia platform and heel detail, coupled with my ASOS red patent 'crocodile skin' vanity case. Both offering a 1940's vintage feel, here's a closer look...



I think this is a perfect daytime look, perhaps a walk in the park, or even a picnic at the Chap Oympiad (http://www.thechapolympiad.com/)!!

Next up I'm opting for a look a little less casual...



Handbag-wise I think a little more Betsey Johnson can't go amiss! Here's a closer look...

This is such a cute bag, especially with the bow detail and the cream goes perfectly with the cream accents in the dress. However, I would like to add, that when I use this bag I like to wear cream satin day gloves, not only does this add to the vintage styling but also keeps the handles from becoming grubby - little tip for you there ladies! To up the vintage look even more, I've even been known to carry my cream parasol to keep the sun off me on extremely sunny days!

So, we've got the bag, how about the shoes...

The shoes I've chosen to complete this outfit are from ASOS, and you're probably aware that I don't own these, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time as they're adorable! I've chosen them to accentuate the minimal yellow colour in the flowers on the dress, as mentioned, this dress gives so many options of what colours to wear with it - I think every girl should have one!

Now, onto my next look for this dress...



This raspberry coloured Lulu Guinness (http://www.luluguinness.com/) clutch is iconic and I believe will be timeless. I love the cheekyness of the lips design, it's so cute, here's a better look...



 I think the different textures from the silk of the dress to the snakeskin effect of the leather on the handbag work really well together and with the suede shoes I've chosen below, the look is complete...

Again, I don't own these shoes, they're from ASOS and I'm sure I can feel an online shopping extravaganza about to take over me!! I've opted for turquoise as again, there is a slight turqoise colour in the pattern of the fabric on the dress, I always like to opt for contrasting colours, rather than try and match them, as most times you can't get the exact match and it looks terrible.

In the jewellery department I think all of the above scream out for ladylike pearls, so I'd opt for the Vivienne Westwood pearl necklace from my 'Busy Busy Busy' blog update along with the pearl earrings.

I'd like to add, that if you prefer not to indulge in vintage look for a tea dress then there are ways to make it look more modern; one of these ways is to get rid of the matching fabric belt to the dress and add a tan leather belt and tan leather sandals...

The shoes are from ASOS and the belt is from House of Fraser, simply adding these gives the dress a completely different, more edgy look, especially if put together with a slouchy leather bag.

So, another week, another look which I hope you love. Please let me know what you think, I'd love to read your comments below.

Don't forget, you can follow me on Twitter (LucilleVonFrock) & Facebook. If you need to get in touch email me at helen@lucille-von-frock.co.uk and call me on 07547 635870 - don't be a stranger, get in touch! xx



And now for something a bit different...

Hello lovely ladies of blogsville! I hope you have had a wonderful week and an even better weekend enjoying the sunshine!

Now, all this talk of sunshine has made me think of holidays, and the dress I've chosen today put's me in the holiday mood, it's lightweight jersey fabric is so cool and comfortable - just how holiday clothes should be!

So here it is, in all it's glory...

As you'll see it's a quite eye catching halter neck backless dress with Andy Warhol style Marilyn Monroe print. This particular dress is from Betsey Johnson (http://www.betseyjohnson.com/) and is current season.



As the dress only skim's the ankle, there's no danger of getting it caught up in your shoes and tripping over...

HOWEVER, you'll see I've teamed them with Office (http://www.office.co.uk/) red platform peep toe stiletto's with an eye watering 6 inch heel - so no over-indulging on the champagne when wearing these babies!!  I've gone for red to bring out the red colour of Marilyn's lips, and my own, obviously! To match the shoes I've added the red clutch as shown previously...

With the dress and shoes being so in your face I'd opt for simple jewellery, such as a pair of silver hoop earrings and perhaps a silver charm bracelet, but definitely nothing around the neck, this will just mess up the look of the halter and be too fussy.

As mentioned, this dress is uber comfortable so you may also want to dress it down for daytime, I've added a picture below to show another way to wear it, I'm picturing myself heading for lunch somewhere in LA...



Hopefully, you'll see that although a dress may be of a certain fabric or style which is usually deemed appropriate for either day or night, don't be afraid to try different accessories to either dress up or dress down. Simply adding black flip flops and a slouchy leather bag makes the whole look a lot more casual.

So, another week, another look which I hope you love. Please let me know what you think, I'd love to read your comments below.

Don't forget, you can follow me on Twitter (LucilleVonFrock) & Facebook. If you need to get in touch email me at helen@lucille-von-frock.co.uk and call me on 07547 635870 - don't be a stranger, get in touch! xx

Something for the daytime...

Hello my lovely blogettes, I hope you have had a wonderful week!  Now this week has been a week of questions, mainly of which were "will the sun shine today?" or "is it going to rain today?". However, it appears mostly the sun won the battle, so this week it's time for a nice little daytime outfit, ready for when the summer properly arrives!

As you'll see, it's a cute little floral summer dress which I've teamed with leopard print slingback wedges and an adorable yellow straw over the shoulder bag, specifically chosen to pull out the yellow shades on the dress.

The dress is lovely lightweight cotton with pleated detail on the top half, very 1950's, especially with the wide shoulder straps. The straw bag is also a favourite style from that period.

I've chosen the leopard print wedges to clash against the floral pattern of the dress to give it a more modern edge, this is something I like to do quite often, in fact I love to mix a bit of leopard print with most things!

So, you've enjoyed a lovely glass of Pimms on a beautiful summer's day, but as dusk approaches the air is starting to chill...what is a girl to do? Throw a cute cardigan over your shoulders of course and what better than a leopard print cardigan???

Now, the leopard prints on the cardigan and the shoes may not match, but I don't think it really matters, the key is to try and NOT match them, as quite frankly that looks like you're trying to hard...

Well dolls, there we have it, a basic staple of how to work the cute summer dress look with a kitsch 50's edge.  Other accessories I would add to this are maybe a cute locket around the neck, button earrings and most important of all a pony tail with a ribbon in!

So, another week, another look which I hope you love. Please let me know what you think, I'd love to read your comments below.

Don't forget, you can follow me on Twitter (LucilleVonFrock) & Facebook. If you need to get in touch email me at helen@lucille-von-frock.co.uk and call me on 07547 635870 - don't be a stranger, get in touch! xx