Idaho Queen

Flashback Summer: 1940s 1950s Unique Vintage blue velvet gown

I don't know about you guys, but I have an irrational need to be ready for formal events. Like, what if I get invited to a ball? What if the governor calls and wants me to go to her New Year's Day brunch? What if I find out I'm a princess and Julie Andrews is my grandmother and I have a coronation to attend?!

How horrifically awful would it be to get an invitation to such amazing events and have to go underdressed because I had nothing proper to wear?!  The HORROR!

Flashback Summer: 1940s 1950s Unique Vintage blue velvet gown

So, since I have sized up and outgrew the couple formals I had, I decided Black Friday was the time to get myself back into a formal-ready state. I've been eyeing the velvet dresses at Unique Vintage, and I knew this lovely dress would work well for the fanciest, most formal occasions I may be called to.  (Or an Air Force ball, which happens every year and is my most likely formal event, haha!)


Flashback Summer: 1940s 1950s Unique Vintage blue velvet gown

Flashback Summer: 1940s 1950s Unique Vintage blue velvet gown

But the Air Force ball isn't until September, and clearly I needed to get this dress out and wear it before then! I call this photo shoot, "Emileigh runs for Queen of Idaho or Miss Idaho 2019, whichever comes first."

My current measurements are 33-25-38", and I ordered a size 4.  As you can see, it fits me well.  Before I wear it for an actual event, I may make the top a bit tighter just to make me feel a little more secure.  The fabric is wonderfully stretchy, so it'll be size-versatile for me.

(Also, I'm 5' tall with 5" shoes on here, for reference with the slit height and "train" length.)


Flashback Summer: 1940s 1950s Unique Vintage blue velvet gown

Flashback Summer: 1940s 1950s Unique Vintage blue velvet gown

I paired it with queenly 1940s hair and a tiara I received c/o the Flirty Flamingo Etsy Shop. This shop is located in Australia and has a lot of whimsical, unique head pieces and headbands.  They aren't pieces that I would normally categorize as "vintage" right off the bat, but look at how amazing it looks with vintage hair!  It has a Ziegfield's Follies vibe to it in my mind and is a quirky alternative to the traditional tiara. 


Flashback Summer: 1940s 1950s Unique Vintage blue velvet gown

I also have my eye on the Flirty Flamingo flower crowns for spring.  Since my hair is long enough to do updos now–for the first time in about four years, may I add–I am keenly interested in ALL THE HAIR ACCESSORIES!


Flashback Summer: 1940s 1950s Unique Vintage blue velvet gown

So are you irrationally preoccupied with preparing for formal events like I am? ARE YOU READY should they arise?! Have you also stood out in frigid winter weather for the sake of photos and considered it 100% worth it?!

Outfit details
tiara: c/o Flirty Flamingo Shop
dress and tulle scarf: Unique Vintage
shoes: old, Target?
fur coat: vintage 1940s
rhinestone necklace: vintage

The tiara were provided c/o of Flirty Flamingo Shop, but all of the thoughts shared here are honest and my own. To learn more about my review standards, visit my policy page.

7 comments

  1. That's funny. I have definitely had the "princess" or "well-born lady" mindset. Like as if reading all the books from Jane Austen to L.M. Montgomery where having at least one formal was necessary somehow put the "need" to have a formal just for someday maybe. I've never yet needed one, lol.

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    1. Haha, EXACTLY! I still hold out hope I will need one!

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  2. The neckline and color here are particularly stunning, you look gorgeous! I love the little crown also and will have to check out that shop immediately.

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    1. Thank you so much, Bianca! And yes, the shop has quite a few fun crowns and headpieces!

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  3. I love this elegant look!
    The blue tiara has a very Art Deco feel to me- you could probably do a really good 1920's look with it too. And yes, I have quite a few formal gowns that I have yet to wear to a proper event. . . I used to host New Years and "Hollywood" parties a few years ago, where formal dress was "strongly encouraged" just so I would have an opportunity to wear my cocktail dresses!

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  4. I totally hear you, I fear not having formal attire too! Then when a formal event DOES come around, I am a frantic terror over finding another formal to wear so I don't wear the same one again so soon!

    This dress looks stunning on you! The color is especially nice! Unique Vintage does always have a nice selection of stuff!

    xoxo
    -Janey

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  5. Oooh, nice to see the proportions of that gorgeous dress in a photoset! I'd been eyeing it, but am glad to know that my wallet is safe, because there is no way that the slit height on the size 6 or 8 would be low enough for my 6' tall frame given where it sits on you (which is perfect, in my opinion). It would be up at my hip, I think, ha ha ha! But it looks absolutely stunning on you, and what a fantastic colour to go with the winter scenery in Idaho! Super lovely and I'm sure it will wow everyone at the ball!

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