Considering how much I love a bit of velvet in the colder seasons, you’d think I’d own a classic velvet Audrey-style swing dress. Somehow, I don’t. Or, I suppose, didn’t, because here comes Dolly & Dotty, ready to fulfill my velvet festive dreams, and in my favourite colour no less.
Dress: Burgundy Holly Velvet dress C/O Dolly & Dotty
Brooch: Vintage
Shawl: Faux Fur from eBay
Bag: Kooki Di Lou Marilyn bag
Shoes: Pewter Turn Back Prime flats from Modcloth
There’s no way you can really go wrong with this dress, especially if you’re already starting to think ahead to the holiday party season. The rich burgundy velvet is not only festive and luxurious to the eye, but it’s a comfortable and soft fabric to wear as well, so you won’t have to dread donning any restrictive shapewear that will most certainly feel like hell to wear for a whole evening. Sleeved, it will also keep you warm and cut down the time you spend getting dressed because there’s no frantic trying on of 5 different boleros and shrugs trying to decide if any of them really work.
Though it’s a swing dress it doesn’t have an obnoxiously voluminous skirt, so if you’re someone who feels that gathers visually add extra weight to your hips or if you simply hate that feeling of trying to grab up your skirt in tight spaces when people try to awkwardly squeeze past your puffy petticoated bottom half, this is a swing dress for you. At most, it’s happy to accommodate a slim-volume petticoat, because velvet always looks a bit odd if you ask it to go to hard with a petticoat.
The neckline is modest, the skirt hits me at the knee, meaning it’s not going to swamp petite ladies, and it will look lovely with many twinkly and shiny accessories if you want to go full-on glam for the party season. Oh, and it’s got pockets! It is, in short, a little marvel. And if you’re not a burgundy fan (um, what?!,) it also comes in a teal blue.
I asked for it in a size 18 and it fits well with some extra room for comfort or, you know, Christmas dinner. The waist flat measures 38 inches with tons of stretch to 42, while the bust flat measures 43 inches with stretch to approximately 48 inches. All of that velvet stretchiness does mean you can probably size down, even if you have large upper arms because this fabric is practically woven from forgiveness.
Oh, and did I forget to mention that this post is also a giveaway? Dolly & Dotty are kindly giving one of you the chance to win a dress of your choice from their website. The giveaway is open internationally and runs from today, Monday 12th November until midnight GMT Thursday 15th November. Winner will be chosen at random using Rafflecopter and announced here on the blog on Friday 16th. So how do you enter? Easily! By doing one or all of the following:
- Follow Dolly & Dotty on Instagram
- ‘Like’ Dolly & Dotty on Facebook
- Leave a comment on this blog post telling us which Dolly & Dotty dress you’re currently eyeing up!
>>>> Click here to enter! <<<<
Good luck, lovelies!
I would love the Katherine Long Sleeve 50’s Style Swing Dress in Black Polka from Dolly and Dotty if I won!
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The Annie Flamingo dress!
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❤ Tess Lace Embroidered Sleeved Dress in Black – fingers crossed, this will be my first win ever 😀
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I would love the Annie Retro Lace Bow Print Swing Dress in Pink/Black if I won
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That colour looks so lovely on you. I’m currently eyeing up my namesake, the Eleanor Velvet Halterneck 50’s Evening Dress in black. You can’t go wrong with black velvet 🙂
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So hard to choose! I think I would go for the Cindy Rose Thorns swing dress!
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I’m now totally eyeing up the Burgundy Holly Velvet dress having seen you look.so fabulous in it! Would love a stylish dress for the festive season xx
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This dress is gorgeous on you & I want one too! Holidays here I come!
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This dress looks amazing on you.
There are so many nice ones but I especially like the Kimberley Flared Faux Fur Wrap Collar Vintage Dress in Black/Leopard. Who doesn’t like a bit of Leopard, especially with black and it looks so cosy for this time of year.
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Wow, this colour suits you so much! I’m constantly in awe of your amazing outfits 😍😍
If I were lucky enough to win, I’d go for the Fiona Fitted Faux Fur dress in Gingham! Though they’re all completely gorgeous
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I was also eyeing velvet for the holidays. It is just so easy to style. Even the simplest thing will look gorgeous. I like what you’re wearing but I’d love to win the Kimberly Flared Faux Fur Collar Wrap vintage dress in all black. It would look gorgeous together with my lipstick red true vintage 20s art deco necklace and 50s lacquer leather red heels!
(Though, it is currently on sale, so in case of sizing trouble: I’d also still be very happy with the Katherine long sleeve swing dress in velvet green: a sparkly true vintage 50s necklace or large green labradorite pendant are waiting to be worn with this beauty. sorry, they’re all such pretty dresses that in my mind I’ve already won one of them and styling the cr*p out of ‘m😍😁)
X Djamila
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I am loving the Darlene Retro Swing dress, its so cute!
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I would so love the Venus Van Chic – Valerie Faux Fur Fitted Dress (black) ❤️
Claire x
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Venus Van Chic – Valerie Faux Fur Fitted Dress ❤️
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I think a Valerie or Theresa would suit me better
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It’s a toughy, but I *love* the Katherine Long Sleeve Swing Dress in Velvet Green! It’s so Christmassy and elegant 😍👗✨
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I like the diner dress. Also, the one you’re wearing. Those are my two favs
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I would love the Annie embroidered roses swing dress. It would look great with the black and red petticoat I have.
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I really love The darlene retro full circle swing dress in beige dark green! So classy ❤️ This would
Be my first actually vintage dress as I thrift right now and only see skirts and tops. Love your Instagram! You are so gorgeous :).
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Love that colour! Thank you so much for introducing my to this website. I am having a heard time choosinh just one thing but I would definitely love to pick up a Katherine long sleeve dress either in floral or polka dots.
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Hillary for me 😍, I love a bit of velvet, and keeping it simple to dress up or down!
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Such a difficult choice but my favourite is Elizabeth Vintage Style Evening Party Dress in Black/White. 😍😍😍
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so many beautiful dresses but I’d love may-v-neck, 50’s style navy blue spot dress 🙂
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Darlene Retro Full Circle Swing Dress in Cream/Navy Blue. ❤
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I love the Eleanor Velvet halterneck dress in black or also burgundy color^^
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I would go for the Darlene Floral Roses Swing Dress in Green as I’ve been eyeing it up for ages now.
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I love Tess dress ! 😍
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I really like Holly Velvet Long Sleeve Swing Dress in Peacock Blue 😊 Such a lovely colour, I can imagine it on a New Year’s party ✨
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The Holly is so gorgeous on you, Amy! ❤ I'm loving velvet, too, especially as the weather gets colder, so the Katherine long sleeve swing dress in green velvet would definitely be my choice!
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I love the Darlene in teal!!!!
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I totally fell in love with the burgundy one you are wearing, I would love to wear it for Christmas, it would be perfect!!!
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Would be amazing to win this beautiful dress 👗 it’s also fits in well with the time of year it is soon would love to wear while visiting family with my children over Christmas 🙂
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I genuinely love all of your dresses, I am so happy to have found your website. I just love the whole retro, vintage vibe and your site has everything.
I absolutely adore the Darlene Floral Roses Swing dress, it is just what I am looking for for spring wedding. Good luck to whoever wins, your very one lucky girl!!!!
❤️
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Dolly and dotty…darlene swing dress in red and white polka dots…coveting it madly but so broke 😦
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I have actually never heard of this brand before your post. So fun to find a new brand to try for pinup styles. I would like the Annie Floral Retro Swing Dress in Navy Blue/Red and wear it for a holiday party!
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I’ve been eyeing the Darlene Floral Roses Swing Dress in Green! It’s such a beautiful garment and this momma could use some pampering!
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To be completely honest I am eyeing ALL of their dresses. They are all so beautiful!
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I totally need this dress in this very same color for this holiday season
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Beautiful!
I’ve had my eye on the Sherry in black for a while now! Last time I was able to make an order they were out of my size!
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You look absolutely gorgeous in this dress! If I win I’d love to have the same one, in blue… Or the Janie rockabilly dress in denim blue… Or Annie retro swing dress in red polkadots… So hard to choose only one!
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I really love the Darlene Floral Roses Swing Dress in Green but also the Annie Retro Tulip Floral Swing Dress in Blue/Pink.
The dress you’re wering looks really good on you!
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Katherine velvet long sleeved dress in green
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Beautiful!
I’ve been eyeing up the Venus Van Chic – Valerie Faux Fur Fitted Dress! It’s so elegant!!
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What an exciting giveaway! I’d love to try the Venus Van Chic Toni Fitted Collar Dress in Dogtooth 🙂
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The Annie in black and red xx
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I would LOVE the Katherine Long Sleeve Swing in Green velvet. Its the perfect Christmas dress for my engagement. Plus Ive been eyeing a couple of their dresses for events in the spring but I didnt know much about the fit or quality so it would be awesome to find out.
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You look lovely, the colour really suits you and it looks perfect for this time of year.
My favourite dress by Dolly and Dotty is the Annie embroidered Roses swing dress x
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I’ve definitely been longing for their Tessa dress. I love the length and the contrasting fabric in the shoulders and sleeves.
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Eleonor Dress in burgundy is truly amazing! https://www.dollyanddotty.co.uk/eleanor-velvet-halterneck-50-s-evening-dress-in-burgundy
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I longing for the Katherine Long Sleeve Swing Dress in Velvet Green 😍 😍😍😍
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