Generally speaking at least one day at a convention will see me in a red dress, and one other with red accessories. I can't help it, I'm a brunette with green eyes, a sallow complexion, a full figure, and attitude. It's practically a recipe for falling deeply in love with red.
The incomparable Sophia Loren, another lover of red.
So, for my first full day at WorldCon in Reno I opted for one of my favorite red dresses.
The dress on the hanger, you can see the slight cross over double breasted detailing.
It's a Sue Leslie of California probably around 1952. This designer seems to specialize in sun dresses and cocktail dresses.
At BEA in 2009 launching the ARCs of Soulless, paired the dress with cream. And in Reno, pairs with white.
Why do I love this dress so? Well, it's not only the color. It's light weight, a day dress, it has 3/4 sleeves, it fits like a dream, and, best of all, is a pencil dress. I adore pencil dresses.
I tend to wear my red with cream or white. I think it gives a more vintage feel. However, it also works with black and gold for evenings, although I have another, wiggle dress, I usually wear under those circumstances. I don't usually do it with brown, unless I'm going for a modern street feel. I'm not one for all red either, it's tricky, but also very vintage.
For one thing, it's really difficult to match reds, there are so many different tones. And I don't want to come off looking more like this . . .
The classic red pencil dress has been around since the 1930s, in some version or another. What's not to love about it?
I happen to like mine paired with a little counter-color belt. I think it sets of the narrowness of the cut better.
I don't think you need be scared of the color either. Different shades of red are out there and there is generally a tone or a print to suit everyone's needs, even if you are a red head or a pale blonde. You could go for cream or white with a red dot, or black with a red flower, a muted knit or tweedy red. Options, options!
I happen to like fire-engine, cherry, bright, and true reds. But I know they aren't for everyone.
It's a classic idea, the red pencil dress, that is still alive today both in retro and modern looks. Here are a couple of crisp modern takes paired with black.
And here are two retro versions.
Queen Dita, and Oscar de la Renta's recent runway.
Just please, avoid something like this? Us curvy girls just aren't allowed to go too modern, it doesn't work.
And now for a pallet cleanser.
Helen Mirren rocking it, baby.
And lastly, I will leave you with a great look for the fall. A lovely way to wear your red pencil dress in a more casual street friendly style.
