Rockabilly Bernie Dexter style in Spain

In preparation for my trip to Spain recently, I put together some great outfits built on a nautical/red and white rockabilly theme. Sticking to one colour palette when you pack for holidays means you can use the same accessories and have more outfits to wear - yay! In my next post I will show you my fantastic Retro Sailor swimsuit. Today it is a figure-hugging Bettie Page style look . . 

This is my first time doing the 'Rockabilly' look. I am not sure if you can make out my hairdo clearly, but it is that very striking roll-under that Rockabilly girls often wear. Bettie Page, a model who became famous for her pin-up look in the 1950s.

In most photos she seems to be wearing her hair in 'bangs' (or in Australia we call this a 'fringe') but most modern girls re-create this by putting in 'faux bangs' by rolling the hair under. This is particularly good if you don't want to cut your hair off and want more versatility in your hairdos (for instance, to be able to wear victory rolls as well). Now I should say, I find this hairstyle quite difficult to do. But there are a few very good tutorials on youtube. I used one by Fleur, otherwise known as '1940s Vintage Girl'. See this link. It is very important to buy a 'hair rat' for this, which is basically a roll of fake hair - that helps to give that full look to the 'fake bangs'. I thought this style might be too severe for me (cause I aint young!) but actually it works really well (probably because it distracts from my wrinkles!).

This is also the first time I have bought any reproduction vintage like that made by Bernie Dexter and others. I have to say I think the quality of Bernie Dexter clothing is VERY good. The fabric is very robust (not flimsy) and the sewing is all done to high standards. As you can see, the capri pants are VERY figure hugging so if you are buying a pair (which you should do, they are great) then don't go small (I bought a size 10 pants and size 8 blouse). When I first put the capris on I was worried they were a bit TOO figure hugging. But my husband absolutely loves them, and they were hugely popular with the Spanish men (ones over 50 years old I must add) so kerching, kerching - they are a winner. Anyway, I figure, like Joanie from Mad Men - if you have the curves, show them off!

Outfit details

Blouse and high waisted capri pants: Bernie Dexter http://www.berniedexter.com/

Earrings: etsy Old and new boutique

Handbag: etsy - Nells Vintage House

Striped bangle  etsy  Rosemyne Vintage

Red bangle: etsy Mabel studios

Vintage red parasol – the lovely Maura Bee at etsy Maura Bee

Sunglasses: Accessorize (Dublin, also available in the UK)

A beautiful Spanish wedding (and what I wore!)

Last weekend I travelled to Cartagena in the south of Spain for a wedding of a my hubby's very good friend of many years - an Irishman who married a beautiful girl from that region in Spain. It was a beautiful wedding - the bride looked gorgeous and everyone was happy and relaxed, just as a wedding should be . . . .

The happy groom, pictured here with my little retro daughter . . .

I am very lucky as my hubby's friends are great - they are some of the funniest people I know and kind to boot. They have known each other since childhood and have kept up their friendship over all these years, which I think is wonderful. Not many people do that these days.

The wedding ceremony was held in a lovely church in Cartagena . . . 

 

In Plaza de Jaime Bosch . . .

The interior of the church was stunning, as many European churches are. You will see below that there was a string quartet playing during the service - there was a violin and soprano - a lady that did an beautiful 'Alleluia' and 'Ave Maria'. She had the most amazing voice.

 A lovely stained-glass window above the altar .  . . 

And of course, a blog post about a wedding would not be the same without mention of the bride. As you will see, she was absolutely stunning. I wanted to particularly show you her veil, which was a feature of her outfit. I am not sure if it was lace from Spain or Ireland (both countries specialise in lace) but all I know is that it was really really beautiful . . . 

 And, of course, a wedding post also would not be one without small mention of the other wedding fashions. I wore a 50s frock and hat  in deep blue and pink - two of my favourite colours. Both purchased from etsy. My hubby wore a 70s suit that he purchased in Melbourne a few years ago - it fits him like a glove and he looks absolutely amazing in it.

My 8 year old looked absolutely gorgeous in her 50s poodle skirt (courtesy of www.hiphop50s.com, thank you!). The Hip Hop 50s shop is available via etsy or directly online and are very reasonable and very good. You can buy matching poodle socks (sooo cute!) and waist cincher, plus many more accessories in the store as well. My daughter is a real tomboy, she loves soccer and wearing jeans most of the time, but she loved wearing this outfit . . .

Outfit details:

Skirt, socks and cincher: www.hiphop50s.com

Shoes and white blouse - school section of Marks and Spencers (Dublin)

Hair clip and bracelet: Claires accessories 

Sunglasses: Accessorize (Dublin)

After the ceremony, there was a great traditional band playing all sorts of instruments whilst the bride came out of the church. After they finished each set, the crowd would yell out 'viva!' (and something else in Spanish too, someone told me it was 'long live the bride). It was just wonderful, such a great atmosphere . . .

Lastly, a few photos of the beautiful vintage Bentley that served as the wedding car - a 1959 model my hubby told me (he loves cars) . . .

(I couldn't seem to get the driver out of the photo, I think that was due to my 4 year old boy running around putting his greasy mits all over it and the poor guy had to keep on rubbing them off!)(we dragged our son away very reluctantly soon after realising this!).

I love the flowers on the handles of the car . . . 

 

I love the cans tied to the car - we don't seem to do that anymore for weddings in Australia. Such a funny, nice touch.

So there you go, a bit of an epic blog post there, but I hope you enjoyed a little insight into a wedding Spanish style. It really was a beautiful wedding.