For New Year’s Eve this year we decided to head out and try something new, a murder mystery dinner and dance. It was a Casablanca themed evening and everyone was to dress 1940’s style. Since we both have authentic vintage pieces from that era it wasn’t a stretch for us.
I wore a 1940’s dress (hemmed), gloves, and hat. The handbag is 1950’s and the shoes and faux fur are modern. It took me all day to do my hair (damn victory rolls!) as I have to wet set it to get the curls otherwise they fall out in 5 minutes.
I even went online and researched 1940’s makeup and applied false lashes for the first time in my life. After much frustration, swearing and pig-headed determination I managed to get them on my eyelids. I had eyelash glue everywhere and at one point my eyelid was stuck together. Bravo to those of you that put on false eyelashes daily.
Although I followed the online instructions to a tee my makeup looks the same as always, other than slightly bigger brows. I have zero make-up skills.
Don Draper Robert is wearing a blazer, vest, tie, cufflinks, tie clip and hat all from the 1940’s.
Out of the hundred or so people that attended this event maybe half of them dressed up. Out of the people that dressed up the actors in the murder mystery were the only ones that could compare to our costumes.
My point is that we really went the distance with our costumes and yet…we didn’t even place in the top three, let alone win.
Normally I’d just pass this off as bad luck, but this is the fourth time we have gone to events like this, often dressed in authentic vintage and we have never once been chosen for best costume or even placed.
I’ll remind you of our other outfits…1920’s party last year.
Wearing almost the same outfit below to the V is for Victory dance 2014 but Robert has a caterpillar crawling across his lip and I look 10 lbs thinner. Eeek!
Swing Out To Victory Dance 2013
Each time the winners have been in their early 20’s. I’m starting to think our age is why we aren’t being seen.
The last thing I would think of for my husband and myself is that we’ve become invisible however I can’t think of any other reason as to why we would continue to be overlooked at these events.
My ageism rant is over, but I am still miffed.
The rest of the party was great, the food was good, the people at our table were nice, we danced until I was well past the “glow of perspiration” and it was a very fun evening and a great way to ring in the New Year.
We are planning on going to a 1920’s murder mystery in February. I just have to figure out how to shave 30 years off my age so I stand a chance at winning. Easy peezy.
I’m taking tips from Cici Marie for styling my next 1920’s outfit. Maybe I’ll try a wig and some Botox.
Now please direct me to the fountain of youth. I need to take a dip.
Linking up with Visible Monday (isn’t that perfect for this post?) I Will Wear What I Like Hat Attack
You guys look fabulous!!! I have always wanted to go to a murder mystery dinner! Sounds like a great event, minus the ageism…
You should go! It was fun…even if we didn’t guess the correct murderer.
The one and only time I went to a murder mystery dinner was actually in Toronto! I had so much fun interacting with the performers. It sounds like the people running the event you went to actually have no idea what authentic time period clothing is but we do and you both look FAB!!!
Darlene
Oh too funny! I didn’t realize you’ve visited my fine city : ) Did you like it?
I want to go to another that is about an Italian Wedding, not a murder mystery, but a dinner theatre where you interact often with the actors.
Maybe you need to start “cozying” up with the judges! It could be more about who you know as opposed to your age or how you look? Because I think you both look amazing!! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Twice I definately thought the judges were favouring their friends. You might be right.
You are both fabulous! Jodie may have a point – sometimes you gotta “know somebody.” I love your curls and your strong eyebrows, and of course that fab dress. xox
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Yeah…I’m not much of a schmoozer…I need to send my husband out to do that. He is a pro.
You guys look frggin’ awesome. I’ve never had a chance to do 40s. I’m super jealous.
You are my hero when it comes to costumes lady. I bet you’d do a stellar 1940’s look.
such a fun theme and what a fun take for New Year’s plans!
Your attire and makeup are spot on in my humble opinion!
xo,
nancy
http://www.adoretoadorn.com
Thanks Nancy : )
It’s outrageous that you guys keep getting passed over. You both look fab and deserved to be placed, surely! And that 10lbs – it’s the fur covering your shape that’s all.
Anna
Anna’s Island Style
Oh that is some serious wishful thinking on the whole fur thing ; P
That’s so weird – you may be onto something but you both look young! I’d be peeved too. I think your outfits are great! I’ve certainly not noticed many people going to this kind of effort for events I go to. My NYE there were some very questionable 20s outfits… But yes definitely go for a wig – my hair took me 30 seconds 😉 x
Yes that is the brilliant thing about a wig : ) I just need to get mine looking as fab as yours. Also your brilliant makeup skills really pulled the look together for you. Are you free to just pop over Feb 5th to do my makeup for my next party?
That contest is fixed!!! You two should have won. I’m sure it’s who you know. My husband and I went to a 60’s party and because of our age our costumes were authentic. Heck. We lived it. We looked totally groovy. I’ll try to dig up some photos if I can. But some business associates of the hosts won. They were probably trying to score points at work. I have no idea. But I think that’s probably what happened with you two because: A) You are NOT old. and B) You look PERFECT. You two have timeless style. I am giving you FIRST PRIZE!!!!
Oooh! I’d LOVE to see those photos Connie!
I’ll accept your first prize : )
🙂 The two of you are definitely a NUMBER ONE on my list – you guys look stunning!!!
I dressed up for a vintage car event with my mom some years ago – it was so much fun! We rented costumes from the studios. But my make up was – tadaa! – just like every day. Stupid fake lashes 😉
No botox necessary. Hang in there. People just have to learn to appreciate how good the two of you actually are!
Good luck next time and HAPPY New Year to you, too! 🙂
Happy New Year : )
Hahahahahaha! You and I will hang out in the make-up challenged group.
Oooh! I’d LOVE to see the photos! I bet you looked amazing in rented costumes.
You two look amazing! This sounds like so much fun, Par and I need to make a trip up and join in one of these, (although we would need to give Par some dancing lessons, like serious dancing lessons, haha). Who on earth are the crazy judges? Is it set or all in who you know? Oh, well as long as you’re having fun, right? I simply can’t believe your determination, no I for one, totally get it, when you get something in your head you must finish the product to the T. It did pay off, if that makes you feel better. I tried the false eye lashes one time, can I repeat, ONE time! I broke out within an hour being allergic to the clue, bad bad idea, huge ugly eyes for a good week. All said and done, the two of you are picture perfect! And Roberts shoes!!!
Oh yes! That’d be a blast! Come in the summer when I will leave the house. ; P
You mean to tell me Par isn’t as brilliant at dancing as he is at sports? My husband is unskilled at most sports and quite decent at dancing. In fact he kind of surprised me this time as he was even better than I remembered.
That sounds awful about being allergic to the glue! Yikes. So. not. worth. it.
Aren’t his shoes sweet? And damn expensive too I can tell you. This guy like champagne wishes and caviar dreams all the way. Probably why I married him.
You look fantastic! Yes, there might be ageism… Who were the judges, and how old were they? Sometimes people only see people who look like them: the same body type, type, age etc. So, if the judges were 20 something bright young things, they might very well be a bit selectively blind when it comes to people outside of their own circles…
That is interesting. The judges looked like their ages went from mid 20’s to mid 30’s.
You two look fabulous. I admire your commitment to the costumes. Enduring false eyelashes is hard — I always glue my eyelids together. Even when I get ’em right, it feels like my upper lids are lifting weights all night. I doubt your age has anything to do with not winning; contests like these often go to friends of the judges and are not based on merit. Which sucks but nobody said life would be fair. It ain’t…
Oh yes! Of course you understand perfectly about the eyelashes, and that life isn’t always fair.
You look great, both of you! If I was guessing I wouldn’t say it’s your age. I’d be more inclined to guess it’s rigged. Have the same people, or friends of the same people won in the past? But phooey on them! When you look as good as you two do, you’re above all that!
Happy New Year!
It could have been rigged. The prize was pretty good, a room with dinner and a bottle of champagne at the Marriott where it was held.
We have been to five events often put on by different companies. Two of the events were put on by the same company where lots of members of a swing dance club go and it is very obvious they only choose people from their club.
Sounds like a fun evening and I love both you and Robert’s outfit to go along with the 40s theme. I have been to mystery dinners and they are so fun. As for make up, I suck at it too. No matter what I do, I always look the same.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
Hope to see you Thursday for TBT Fashion link up.
Glad I am not the only make-up challenged style blogger : )
You guys look fabulous in all your themed outfits. Crazy that you’re never chosen to win, because it’s obvious that you put a lot of care and thought into your wardrobes for the events. How old do they think you two look, anyway? I’d be lucky to look so youthful at your age! Angel’s already got plenty of gray hair–thankfully it’s not yet my turn. 😉
Wow! Angel will be all gray and you’ll look like his daughter! Ha!
I’ve been looking forward to this post. We went to a Murder Mystery Dinner once, but it was set in present time so there were no fun costumes. You guys look absolutely amazing, and even without seeing the others, you should have won. Your day will come! Happy New Year!
Did you enjoy the murder mystery? Did you guess correctly? We were totally off base.
I love your SHOES! Your outfits are spot on.
Ageism – ah, I first started to experience that in my mid-40s. Heaven forbid if you pack on a few pounds, that just adds to the invisibility factor. I suspect that is why some elderly women dress in bright colors with outlandish accessories – to be noticed! Can’t blame them.
Anyhoo, I’ve been a follower of yours for quite awhile and look forward to your posts for 2016.
I agree that the older we get the bolder we seem to need to be otherwise we blend into the background. There is a good bit in Frankie and Grace (on Netflix) where Jane Fonda learns that being invisible has its rewards, they basically shop lift and no one notices a thing.
You both look fabulous. I love wearing costumes. It’s got to be knowing someone in the inside. Skip the Botox and use the money to bribe the next judges. Love your hair. It was worth the effort!!
I can see where we need to soften up the judges with a few drinks maybe.
Magnificent. Such handsome pair
Happy New Year to both of you
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Happy New Year lady!
What a dashing couple! You both look stunning and in period. Nice. Sorry to hear that you and Robert felt invisible, as you don’t come across as paranoid, I think, sadly, there may be some truth to your suspicions. Sucks. But you are blue ribbon winners of style in my book!
I would have let this slide if it was the first or second time, but by the fourth time you know something is up.
You ( and I mean both ) look gorgeous and are perfect 40’s style guys from 2013!! Next year you MUST be the winners!!!
p.s.
I have always envied those who can get false lashes on!!
Well I can tell you that YouTube videos make it seem a whole lot easier than it really is to put on those lashes!
You two really do look amazing! I think you might have a point, there does seem to be some kind of favoouritism for the younger people -perhaps to encourage them to keep coming to events or something like that!?!?x
Have you experienced that kind of favouritism as well Kezzie? I know you often like to dress up too.
I’ve not entered a contest for an outfit BUT when I’ve been at Swingdance events, there is certainly a lot of cliquey things that go on!
Plus in dance competitions, there is often older men but usually younger girls!
I think trying to look younger is an aimless pursuit. Ageism is all around us (and often within us) and all we can do is just to be our best selves. I think you 2 look smashing. If for some reason others are not able to see that due to agism or other reasons then that’s their problem. You felt amazing on that night right? That’s all that matters. (for what’s it’s worth though I think both of you look much younger that your ‘real’ age).
Thanks Sylvia : )
You speak the truth of course about the inevitability of ageing and ageism but it isn’t easy to hear.
I was happy at least that all the people at our table and a few others noticed our outfits and came up and acknowledged them. When you go to a big effort it is nice when people notice.
I think you two looked smashing so I have to wonder what the winners were wearing and if they know the judges. Maybe really knock them dead with red and black in February and see what happens. Re false eyelashes, I have gotten pretty good at them recently and I attribute my success to 1) Practice and 2) A tip from Marilyn Monroe–she cut the strips in half and only used the outer part. It works for me every single time. When I used to do the full strip I had the worst time getting the curve toward the inner eye to stay in place. I glue the lash and drop it on right after all the other eye makeup is on and then use an eyelash curler to curl the whole lash, fake and real, and use mascara to seal it all in place. They stay put and I don’t notice them at all for the whole night. I wear them several times a month now, I love a big lash line! xx
Oooh! Thanks for the tip Jill! I’m going to try that.
I did see the packs for the little clusters and thought briefly that they might be easier to apply, but then I figured it would take me all night to get them on. I like this idea much better.
Ha ha, I’m back! I have not mastered those cluster lashes, I know the ones you mean, I don’t have the right glue, I think you have to buy that clear adhesive that always remind me of rubber cement (!) and I think it would take a lot longer. I’d be willing to give that a go, but I’d want a lot of practice before taking that look outside. I think you look gorgeous no matter what you do but since I love makeup so much I have to say I am a fan of your vintage makeup. You did a great job! xx
Aw thanks Jill. That means a lot since I do consider myself very inept when it comes to makeup.
The fix was in from the start so I don’t think it has to do with age. Now if you slept with the male judge and Robert… Well, maybe that’s not a good idea. The only way you’ll win is if you bake brownies for them (yours are almost as good as sex anyway) or one of your friends hosts the event. I’m so cynical.
No matter what, you guys look incredible!! Everyone there knew it; we know it – we’re all that count anyway. Hahaha. Maybe next time you can leave the curlers on the top buried in your hair but cover the ends with pantyhose that match your hair colour as camouflage. Kudos on the eyelashes and being able to see! I’ve heard that people trim hem down too. Your brows are gorgeous. Sounds like a really fun night. Don’t let the corruption ruin it for you.
Ha! I’m going to call those brownies “Better Than Sex”. I’m sure that recipe will break the internet.
You are creative with your thoughts about the curlers. I need you here with me the next time I style my hair.
I fully understand you are miffed. And a bit more than that. You guys looked super. Perhaps the judges don’t know themselves what 1940 clothes are? Did they want evening gowns from the 1940’s? Was that it? Seriously, you should have won. And you should have definitely won last year with the 1920’s party. I mean that cannot have anything to do with age as you looked perfect, gobsmacking good.
Anyway… you had a fun way to ring in the new year, apart from this. We just sat at home with two friends. Oh well, better with two friends than all alone. Everything is relative. And I cannot drag that man of mine anywhere.
Greetje
For that 1920’s party it was that swing dance group that won everything. I knew right from the start when they were there that they wouldn’t even consider us. It is all a conspiracy!
This time around the prize was really good and I had high hopes to win as it was a new venue put on by another company. I think that is why I was disappointed when we didn’t even place.
Sometimes life just sucks..
you look Fabulous (with a f*ck*n* Capital F) on your 40’s attire, and looked fabulous everytime you dressed up for an event!. Love particularly your 20’s ensemble!, magnificent! and you look like a real flapper!. Also love men wearing vests and hats!, with attitude!
Can’t understand you didn’t get any prize!. Unbelievable!!
besos
Thanks : )
Robert does like a good vest and hat. He has quite the collection.
Maybe you should become judges! No one could be more qualified! You both look incredible, and authentically dressed. You put a lot of effort into your ensembles, which sounds like fun too. And then the dancing!!! I’m sure that you turned many a head.
Thank you so much for supporting Hat Attack! It means so much to me.
Thanks for popping by Judith : ) Your hats and wonderful style always inspire me.
You guys look amazing! Imagine doing victory rolls every day! I wonder if your outfits are not ‘costumey’ enough to attract attention, as costumes. I know in my past I’ve gone all out for a costume, researching to make sure it’s accurate, and the detail is all right, but then people wow over someone in an outfit that is clearly a costume, with the wrong type of fabric and print, or makeup, because it looks like what they think that era looked like, not what it actually looked like. You guys look like you could be ready for a movie set in the 40s, but people are rarely able to see subtle and sophisticated as a costume contest winner, they want an over the top exaggeration of that era, not something that’s authentic, people in their 20’s are good at that sort of thing, I’ll bet the winners were even wearing polyester 😉
You hit the nail on the head! The gal was wearing a tight fitting red polyester dress with a black fascinator and black gloves!
You both looked great, and it was a shame you didn’t win a prize, but the important thing is that you felt good in what you were wearing, and you had fun. I find most events like that are geared towards the 20 – 30’s crowd, and if the judges are also in that age bracket, they may, like one commenter noted, be looking only at people that look similar to them in age. There may be a tendency to award prizes to costumes that are sexy or glamorous? The only time I ever won a prize for a costume was when I dressed as Sally Bowles from Cabaret for a costume party, and I’m sure it was only because it was a pretty racy costume (I was in my early 30’s and could still pull that off).
I dunno dude. There could be any number of reasons for that outcome, but ageism could certainly be one of them. There’s always some measure of favoritism in fashion contests. Regardless, the two of you pulled out all the stops and you both look amazing. Your dude’s style is always on point. I wish my dude dressed like that at least *some* of the time…or *ever* really. Hehe.
– Anna
http://www.melodicthriftychic.com
What a wonderful retro post dear 🙂 I wish you a happy healthy 2016 with lots of fun!
Check out my new post – My amazing kitchen floor makeover 🙂
LOVE Maria Inredning – it’s Swedish for decor
I’d been saving this blog post after seeing its title because it definitely seemed like an interesting topic (and, as usual, you do not disappoint!)
First off, you look fantastic! I like both outfits (and I think the “ten lbs.” thing is the angle of the camera, where you’re facing it straight on + the fur thing.You are gorgeous.) I noticed your colored stockings- you are wearing darkish ones here. I’d never thought of what color of stockings were in mode to wear in the 1940s, but these dark tones make sense (growing up, I only recall my Mom using brown/tan ones and dark ones like these). I like that even that level of detail was considered.
The judges may be favoring their friends or (and one hates to think it since they are judges at a period costume party) maybe they are subconsciously preferring period looks that incorporate modern aesthetics, the way a lot of movies kind of do….