A rose by any other name

I’m  a lady who loves her 50s style circle skirts and dresses  – so a floor-length fairly straight dress was never going to immediately draw my eye.
Until I was well and truly persuaded otherwise by the folks at Miss Candyfloss* who tempted me with the hidden and extremely full skirts of a rose – the Victoria-Rose dress.

This deceptively straight dress has all the beautiful glamour of a golden age of film. The silky soft skirt, which is fitted at the waist and is topped by a luxurious sequined bodice, has absolutely yards of fabric and can graciously billow out as you glide along. And yes this dress definitely makes you feel as though you should be gliding and preferably somewhere involving a chaise longue and cocktails.

I’ve been a long time fan of Miss Candyfloss and have purchased six of their beautiful coats so I’m no stranger to their superb styling – and this dress did not disappoint me. With the styling of the 1940s and 50s there is a big overlap, as you would expect, in design. For this dress its got those dropped shoulders with perfect gathers on the seams, and also gathers under the bust line, with a fitted midriff, which I think are such elegant and flattering features.

The fitted waistline meets pleats where the skirt joins, which explains how that deceptively straight skirt can be so full – and whilst I was happy with the dress, I couldn’t resist trying it on with a petticoat and was so pleased with that little extra padding as I feel rather naked without one!

As a sewer, the quality of the details are what I would hope for – a lined bodice to support that sequined lace (and hide your underwear) and lacy lightweight sleeves which are capped with a button so you can wear them at elbow length or higher. The dress fastens with buttons all the way down the front and these are covered in the same fabric as the skirt – and again a great detail is that there are two very firm poppers at the top of the dress so that there is no fear that it will gape open. If I want a dress for day wear I tend to ensure my cleavage is well and truly covered but a little on show for an evening dress doesn’t bother me, particular when the bodice is well fitted.

I’m 5ft 6 and I found the skirt buttons did stop above my knee. That can give a discreet flash of legs if you like, but as I’m not one for showing my knees (they just get cold!) I did tack my skirt together to make the front opening a little less deep. I can safely say it made no difference to the elegant look and shape.
The dress also comes with a slim-line belt in the same fabric as the skirt, with proper holes in it so it won’t slide undone and a tab so that the excess end doesn’t flap at your waist. The dress doesn’t have belt loops so I’m sure you could wear it without and not even notice.
Best of all – the Victoria-Rose also has pockets! Yes can you believe it, pockets! There are two inseam pockets which proved ideal for keeping my hands warm.

I felt this dress needed to be seen so off to cocktails I went! I teamed it with red sparkly shoes which are 9cm high and found these were just the right height to keep the dress off the floor. I also added a white stole and silver clutch purse because I was dining at a 1930s style restaurant.

As I stopped off to take some pictures near an old historic building I definitely felt so elegant. It never ceases to amaze me how clothing can affect ones mood. I bet this dress was popular over the Christmas season. That warm red is a perfect colour for me for any glamourous occasion so I’ll be finding some of those to go to this year just so I can wear this.

 

The Victoria-Rose is made in sizes XS to 5XL. I’m wearing a size M which is a perfect fit (which means I can breathe and eat comfortably, whilst wearing fitted clothing).

 

Dress: gifted by Miss Candyfloss
Shoes: Irregular Choice
Snood: GinPoodle

*In the interest of being open, this dress was gifted to me by Miss Candyfloss who asked me for an honest review. All the views are my own and an honest opinion of the dress, without any input from Miss Candyfloss.