Dolly & Dotty are a fairly new vintage style clothing company, based out of Brighton in the UK and offering a selection of budget-friendly retro style pieces in UK sizes 6-24. I first found them a few months back when I came across the two dresses below and fell in love.
L: Anna dress, R: Polly dress
At the time both dresses were out of stock, so I inwardly whimpered a bit, tried to find them in stock anywhere else, failed, inwardly whimpered some more, then gave up. It wasn’t until Dolly & Dotty and I were in contact recently that I remembered the dresses that had escaped me, and I was thrilled to find that the Poppy dress, at least, was back in stock in my size.
Dress: Poppy Shirt Swing Dress in Blue & Red Stripes C/O Dolly & Dotty
Brooch: Blue Anouk’s Lost Letter brooch by Erstwilder
Cardigan: Royal Blue Cropped Cardigan from Pinup Girl Clothing
Shoes: Hand bedazzled (tutorial)
I was so pleased to get my hands on this dress after wanting it for ages. I am a huge fan of red, white and blue, especially when paired together, so this striped number makes for a fun nautical piece heading into summer, but doesn’t feel so summer-specific that you have to forego wearing it year round.
It closes with a size zipper but the buttons are real and workable. It’s got a swing skirt, which isn’t a full circle but it can still fit a slim petticoat. As I’m 5 ft 7, the 25inch skirt hits me just below the knee. It’s unlined so it’s a perfect lightweight piece for summer, easy to wear alone or to throw a little cardigan over if you need a touch more coverage. I requested this dress in a size 16, which is for 34-36inch waists according to their size chart. I flat measured the waist to 35 inches, which makes their size chart accurate as there’s some stretch in the piece as well. It comes with a fabric notch belt and is available in 8 prints in total, including checks, florals and another striped colourblocked colourway, all of which only cost £29.99.
The fact that these dresses are so affordable means they make for great starter pieces for new pinups looking to grow their wardrobe, as well as wonderful day pieces for anyone working within a strict budget. Personally, as a pinup who has a lot of more expensive pieces in her wardrobe, I like having a selection of more budget-friendly dresses to wear when I spend time travelling for long distances, for days spent around kids, or for days when I need to be totally comfortable but don’t want to completely surrender my style. It also helps that Dolly & Dotty offer free delivery on orders over £50 and ship internationally.
So after all that, I’m pleased to announce that Dolly & Dotty have been kind enough to offer a giveaway to my followers! Two lucky ladies will win a dress of their choice from Dolly & Dotty, and it couldn’t be easier to enter. There are two ways to enter, one here and one on Instagram, so you have twice the chance of winning.
The giveaway is open internationally and runs from today Monday 15th February to Midnight Sunday 21st February, with the winners picked at random and announced on Monday the 22nd.
All you need to do to enter is leave a comment on this blog post telling us which Dolly & Dotty dress has most caught your eye and why. You can also enter over on Instagram by reposting the below giveaway graphic tagging @dollyanddotty and using the hashtag #dollydottyandamy. You only need to post the image with the appropriate tags once between now and the giveaway’s end to be entered.
What are you waiting for? Get entering!
Miss Amy May 
The Cindy Polka Dot dress in navy is die for! Bit a red belt with it and it’s the perfect nautical pin-up dress. I’m really feeling the nautical look at the moment.
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Evelyn Retro Cherry Swing Dress Black/Red for me because every rockabilly/ retro wardrobe needs a dress with cherries and oh my gosh that’s missing in my closet. So I would love to win this one!
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The Claudia in yellow has caught my eye as it will bring out my fair skin and blue eyes and is the perfect allrounder x
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Usually I don’t care that much about yellow, but the wendy dress in yellows looks amazing!❤️
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Oh wow, I think Cheryl in white or in burgundy would be the one for me! I’m a sucker for elegant dresses I wear to burlesque shows! ❤
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Hazel in black floral is too darling! It’s pattern is bright enough to be seen in but the dark colours make me toddler proof
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Wow thank you for making me aware of this brand!! Love everything!! Getting married at the end of the year and I think we have a strong contender for bridesmaids dresses! As for the dress I love, I’ve taken a fancy to the Sally Classic Vintage Sailor Dress in Yellow! I adore a sailor neck and polka dots are always a good idea but I never thought I’d be a yellow fan. I’m very quickly changing my mind and all the yellows are going to the top of my want list!! Thanks again Amy 🙂
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The Cindy Sassy Floral Swing Dress.
Well really, all of the Cindy swing dresses are beautiful. But this one- Sassy is the correct word to describe it.
I wish I could attach a photo!
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Loving the poppy in green tartan, it’s so versatile… Also the Mandy in red is utterly to die for!! What a gorgeous dress. Wow.
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Congratulations, Amie! You’ve won a dress ❤️ If you email me at pinupamymay@gmail.com I can arrange your prize collection
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The Penelope in light blue! Those yellow accents are amazing.
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The Melissa! I don’t usually go for strapless as have big boobs but this dress jumped out at me. It’s just so cute! Polka dots in Peach is just dreamy. My surname is Peachey so I’m on a peach dress mission! Haha 🍑💋
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Oh my goodness!!! I know where I’m getting my dresses now!!! The Wendy dress is really gorgeous even in yellow but the teal color caugh my eye! It’s beautiful! It was a tough run on catching my eye because Cindy polka dot dress is amazing too!!
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My absolute favourite is the Sherry Rockabilly Diner dress in black ❤ Perfect for my daily looks! Fingers crossed x
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I adore the Darlene in mint and coral or beige and green. I couldn’t choose which I like more! I love how it gives the look of coordinating separates with the ease of a dress. That’s not too say others didn’t catch my eye, though.
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So many adorable dresses. It’s hard to choose but I think my favorite is the May Stylish V-neck Polka Swing Dress in Navy Blue
http://www.dollyanddotty.co.uk/may-stylish-v-neck-vintage-inspired-swing-dress-in-navy-blue-red-5785
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They have so many pretty dresses, so it’s difficult to choose just one. But I have to sa I’m partial to the Darlene retro full circle swing dress in beige & dark green! It’s just soooo lovely!!
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With so many beautiful dresses it was a difficult decision. That said, the Lillian Vintage Dress with Sleeves in Black Floral stood out, absolutely gorgeous! The bow bust detail paired with the collar and sleeves is divine and very flattering!
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hello , thank you for this contest. my favorite dress is that it
http://www.dollyanddotty.co.uk/evelyn-retro-50-s-style-swing-dress-in-black-pink
I will not be very original, but it inspires me the summer and freshness , and this is the dress I choose to be the first dress in my wardrobe
big kisses amy 😉
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Okay, so picking just one was REALLY hard! Thanks for letting me know about this company, as it’s always great to find affordable dresses.
After much debate – if I had to choose just one, it would be the Harriet Vintage 50’s Inspired Swing Dress in Red/White Checks. I’ve been wanting to add some tartan or plaid to my wardrobe lately, and I feel like this would be a great all-season dress! Great for a summer picnic, or layered with a cardigan and tights for a lovely winter look as well!
Thanks for a great give away!
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It was really hard to pick one! The Hazel Dress in White Strawberry and Sherry Diner Dress in White/Black were really cute but I think that the Annie Retro Check Swing Dress in Purple Big Checks is my fav! It has such a fun color combination that you don’t normally see in a check/tartan style print. It looks gorgeous!
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You look great in your dress! This company is neat, and the prices are great too. I had never heard of them before. I like the Claudia Flirty Fifties Dress in dark blue.
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So much choice but think my fave is this one
http://www.dollyanddotty.co.uk/cheryl-fitted-glam-vintage-dress-in-burgundy
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Ooh what a choice Amy! I love the Hazel vintage inspired swing dress in White Strawb 🍓🍓 would be perfect for summer! 😁
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Live that there are affordable options for the pinup look! Thank you for the giveaway!
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Stunning as usual. Thanks for introducing us to this website! As a budding pinup on a student budget it’s always amazing to find affordable options online. I think out of all the beautiful dresses on the website I’d have to go for the Wendy Polka Dot Dress in Yellow – a colour in which I own far too little clothing, and yet have been told it suits me, so it would make a wonderful addition to my wardrobe.
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The Anna dress, I love it because is really beautiful and it would look good on me 😉. In love with all the Dolly and Dotty dresses 😍
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I love them all, but my favourite is the floral Penelope in light blue- the perfect romantic dress for sightseeing on my honeymoon next month ❤️
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Tough choice because I want everything! But one I love the most is the Grace in black polka dots =]
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I love their diner dress, and there polka dot shirt dresses too, l though I don’t know which colour I’d choose. In fact, there’s also a couple of wiggle dresses I’ve got my eye on…
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The Penelope Diner Rockabilly Dress in Black/White/Red is excellent. I am in love with the sleeves on it!
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I’ve got my eye on the Penelope Diner Rockabilly Dress in Black/Red ^_^ I love red but can’t pull off a solid red dress, so red detailing is perfect! Plus my middle name is Penelope!
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I love the Anna dresses, love the eye catching stripes and the cut and style of these rockabilly/swing dresses!
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I’ve been wanting the Melissa style and after your review I’m even more keen to make purchase ❤ Thanks for the chance to win xxx
From South Africa
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I would absolutely love the ‘Penelope floral cream/purple tea dress’ as I always strive to find the perfect 1940s/1950s tea dress style on repro sites. When looking through the website, this one really caught my eye and is just my cup of tea! It’s so purrrrdy! Xxx
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The Evelyn retro check swing dress is really rather lovely. I love tartan and I love the fact it has sleeves!
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I love the Penelope dress in green/cream, it’s an unusual colour scheme.
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I love Hazel, especially in polkadots 🙂 I have always been in love with polkadot prints 🙂
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I’m loving the Melissa Bandeau Retro Rockabilly Dress in Black and White Dots. I love the colours and would love one for my friends wedding in may paired with red shoes and red accessories.
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Firstly, thank you for posting about this amazing store!
I’m totally in love!
There are so many styles that I adore choosing just one is causing me to inwardly whimper! lol
But while you lucky ducks are heading into Summer I’m planning my Winter wardrobe.
This season I think I need more plaid and the Evelyn Retro Check Swing Dress in Green is exactly what I need!
❤
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So many pretties! If I have to choose just one favourite, I guess it must be either the Hazel or the Sally in the turquoise colourway. But really – they’re all so nice!
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Of all the dresses that caught my eye, Cindy Polka Dot Vintage Dress in Peacock Blue is at the top of my list. Firstly, the cut of the dress, particularly the collar, is darling and not something I come across that often in vintage inspired designs. The colour again puts this dress on my wish list. I couldn’t choose initially out of the available options, but decided that the peacock green would be ideal as it’s a colour that can be adapted all year round (and I look good in its Jewel-like tone!) I would love to win this dress! Even if I don’t though, I can easily see myself purchasing it anyway. It belongs in my wardrobe selection! Lol
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I think the May swing dress is divine, it is very elegant and would make me feel like a dream.
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This dress: http://www.dollyanddotty.co.uk/thelma-strawberry-print-wiggle-party-dress-in-white The Thelma dress in strawberry print as it’s so cute and kistch….and because I’m petite and live in windy Scotland, it’s more dignified than having a Marilyn Monroe moment every 5 seconds!
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Oh my goodness so many pretty dresses! But the Cindy Polka Dot Vintage Dress in Peacock Blue is absolutely cute! I’m in aw with the dress and the color so beautiful! 😍
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I love the Hyacinth 50s Style Swing Dress! I love gingham, so the big gingham pattern on that dress is right up my alley. Thank you for the giveaway!! 🙂
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I would so love to win! I like the Vanessa in navy blue checks because it seems so summer-y. But I reallyadore the May v-neck in navy blue/red. I think it would be a perfect year round dress.
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The Hazel, Georgie, and Mandy dresses all caught my eye!! This shop has so many lovely things, I think it will definitely be a challenge for your two winners to pick their favourite 🙂 thanks so much for the chance – and your dress looks LOVELY 😀
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Love them all but the melissa steals my heart especially the nautical one luv strapless as the eye goes to the bust and away from the belly lol x
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i’d love Claudia Flirty Fifties Style Dress in White!!!!!!
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I love the Evelyn light blue flower dress is lovely
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