What to Wear to an Awards Ceremony | Vintage 1970s Evening Dress (The UK Blog Awards)

Vintage 1970s full-length patterned dress

It’s not every day you get to go to an awards ceremony… and it’s not every day you get to dress up red carpet-style.

As many of you who follow me on social media or who saw Friday’s post will know, I was nominated for Best Fashion and Retail Blog at the UK Blog Awards – honoured, proud and excited doesn’t even begin to cover it!

If you don’t know already I’ll tell you straight away: I didn’t win unfortunately, but there are so many positives to take away…

  1. I was nominated!! An achievement in itself.
  2. The blogging duo that won my category (Pretty Posh Oh My Gosh) were the lovely girls I would have wanted to win if it wasn’t going to be me – they really deserved it and I honestly mean it when I say I couldn’t be happier for them.
  3. I met some absolutely wonderful bloggers and cemented some blossoming online friendships.
  4. The husband and I got to dress up to the nines and have a super-flash evening out.
  5. We did a photo shoot at London’s Marble Arch with all the pigeons, buses and tourists as backdrop.
  6. I GOT TO WEAR THIS DRESS.

I don’t think it’s a secret that I absolutely, completely and utterly loved wearing this dress: a vintage 1970s evening dress in the most stunning fabric I think I’ve ever seen. It reminded me of a Gustav Klimt painting, and I also got a wonderful compliment on the night that I looked “very Florence” [and the Machine] – I’ll take that! A commuter on the tube also said “nice dress” as he went by, and travelling on the tube in the rush hour was… interesting. I was paranoid about getting the skirt caught in the escalators, but luckily managed to keep it all scooped up and out of harm’s way.

The dress was a loan from Scarlet Vintage whom I’ve worked with before, and thankfully it fitted me beautifully. All it needed was some heels, chandelier earrings and a contrasting turquoise clutch. However, this is not quite how it was originally – the dress actually has a pussy bow neckline (so typically 70s). As I’ve done on several other vintage pieces before, I tucked the neckline under to make a v-neck which I thought was far more flattering on me. I loved the pussy bow (plus it’s so on-trend this year), but I was worried about getting hot as well. I needed at least a little ventilation.

All in all it was a full-on fabulous night, so worthwhile and loads of fun. Thank you to everyone that voted for me to get to the nominated stage, thank you for all the wonderful wishes of good luck, and thank you for supporting the blog and thereby making the nomination possible in the first place. I’m dedicating the nominated certificate that I received to all of you 😉

Vintage 1970s full-length patterned dress | Not Dressed As Lamb
Vintage 1970s full-length patterned dress
Vintage 1970s full-length patterned dress
Vintage 1970s patterned dress with box clutch
Vintage 1970s full-length patterned dress
Dress: on loan from Scarlet Vintage | Coat: Asos | Clutch: New Look | Heels: New Look | Earrings: New Look | Ring: Old, unknown | Nails: Barry M gnp3 Watermelon

 

The 2015 UK Blog Awards
The UK Blog Awards - Not Dressed As Lamb, Silver Londoner, Pretty Posh Oh My Gosh, The Fairy Blog Mother
L-R: On the way to the awards with the Silver Londoner (i.e. on the train with the husband); with the winners of my category, the lovely (and deserving) Lauren and Felicity of Pretty Posh Oh My Gosh; with Alice of The Fairy Blogmother

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Just a few pictures from the night to show you: We all loved the Alice in Wonderland theme, especially Alice (above, right) who is one of the guest speakers at the 30-40+ Blogger Meet I’m hosting next month – she is going to be brilliant. And a quick mention to all the other lovely girls I met: Felicity and Lauren (winners!), Annie, Natasha, Michelle and Lorna… so good to meet you all!

And don’t worry – I’ll try again in 2016. Maybe that will be my year 🙂

Catherine x

75 Comments

  1. 9 May 2016 / 5:06 am

    Wow! This dress too! Absolutely breathtaking! And what fun to attend events like this where one would dress up to this extent. Ahhh, I can only live vicariously through you. This is my ultimate dream! to be attending blogger events like this.

    Anyway, back to the library… Ha!!

    Love, Annie

  2. 6 May 2016 / 1:23 pm

    This dress is freaking GORGEOUS!!!!
    Suzy xx

  3. 31 January 2016 / 11:17 pm

    Hi Catherine, congrats on winning an award, it is a great achievement and the life proof that your blog is fantastic and so is the dress you wore to get it. Anna
    http://lookingfabulousat50.blogspot.com.au/

  4. 21 October 2015 / 2:02 pm

    Hi Catherine, I'm working my way steadily through your posts and this is the most beautiful dress! I'm amazed that you were able to hand it back. You look wonderful in these photos, slim, elegant, wonderful hair and skin – everything you ought to be for a red carpet event! We will all be voting for you next year xxx
    Anna
    http://www.annasislandstyle.com/

  5. 17 October 2015 / 4:14 am

    Wow… How fun!!! I just checked out your hubbs blog.. What a great pair you make a blogging duo!!!
    Becky, Silicon Valley Lodge

  6. 27 April 2015 / 2:26 pm

    Oh Catherine!! This vintage floral gown is quite simply MAGICAL…and you look absolutely stunning and regal and award-worthy!! I'm sorry to hear that you didn't win…but I agree that being nominated is already a HUGE compliment in itself; and I can only imagine how much fun you and the Silver Londoner had being a part of the "Alice in Wonderland" extravaganza!! XOXO

    http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.blogspot.com

    • 27 April 2015 / 3:23 pm

      Bless you, lovely Monika – thank you sooooo much!! We had have such a good time, and the dress more than made up for not winning ;))

    • 26 April 2015 / 8:53 am

      Aww Rubi that' so lovely of you, I'm really flattered, thank you…!!!!!!! xx

  7. 25 April 2015 / 6:20 am

    You look breathtakingly beautiful Catherine, that dress is divine. The best dressed award goes to…You deserved to win your category, sorry you didn't, but I remember a renowned film producer once telling at an awards ceremony, my film was a finalist, that it didn't win that it didn't matter because we'd manage to pull off the most PR anyway. Ha. Always made me think, the prize doesn't really matter, what does is the visibility and the continuing journey-that passion, doing what you love and doing it well (which you do). The blog, and you are simply shining, so proud of you and to be able to call you a friend xx

    • 25 April 2015 / 1:20 pm

      Vicki I've got a lump in my throat now…. you say the sweetest things, THANK YOU!!!!!! That's such a great thing that that producer told you – the wonderful comments left by everyone here has made me see that the support I get from everyone is the most important thing, I'm sure you'd agree where your own blogs are concerned!! You're such an inspiration and I too am proud to call you a friend – you've been such a great support to me (you know what I mean).

      LOTS of love to you lovely lady xoxoxoxo

      P.S. The award for mushiest comment ever goes to… This one 😉

  8. 24 April 2015 / 6:55 pm

    Lovely dress! and I like the way you combined it with the shoes, earrings and clutch!
    I believe it's better that way than with the bow! Apart from ventilation it also provides a more clear neckline!

    • 25 April 2015 / 1:10 pm

      Thanks Anna sooooo much!! I do suit a v neckline much better, and whilst I loved the pussy bow it just looked better tucked away on me. But thank goodness I did style it that way – the place wasn't hot but when you get nervous (waiting for the award to be announced) you do start to get very overheated from the stress…!!

  9. 24 April 2015 / 5:29 pm

    I adore yours. What a fantastic dress. And so nice it is not black for a change. I have an award ceremony coming up at May 28 and if we were to have the same size and I was your friend and next door neighbour, we might come to an agreement with Scarlet Vintage. As we are not… I will go in my sort-of-tuxedo-suit.
    Photos are awesome.
    Greetje

    • 25 April 2015 / 1:08 pm

      Unusually I often go for black for the evening, Greetje – I just happened to see this dress on the Scarlet Vintage website and knew exactly what I should be wearing it to! Thank you hun, though I do think tuxedos on women look incredible…!!!

  10. 24 April 2015 / 2:58 pm

    I do not think you could have found a better dress. OMG. You look perfect and stunning.

    But more importantly, congratulations on being nominated, like you said that is such an achievement. So proud to support you and Not Dressed as a Lamb 🙂

    Chelsea
    Ginger Side of Life

    • 25 April 2015 / 1:06 pm

      Chelsea!! You're so sweet, thank you!!!!!!! I must say I felt super special in the dress, I couldn't have wanted to wear anything else. And yes I am proud of my nomination, thank you hun :)))

  11. 24 April 2015 / 12:35 pm

    Congrats to your nomination! It is a great achievement by itself already! I love vintage very much too and your night gown is stunning! Enjoy it and wish you more to come!

    Grace
    http://colorandgrace.com/

    • 25 April 2015 / 1:05 pm

      Aww Grace that's a lovely thing to say, thank you so much I appreciate it…!! x

  12. 23 April 2015 / 10:18 pm

    You look so beautiful. Seriously. Your dress, your hair. Please tell us how you styled your hair. It looks soon good!

    • 25 April 2015 / 1:04 pm

      Cheri thank you!! Funnily enough it wasn't how I'd intended to do my hair at all – I'd curled it with a wand all over in order to give it some body to then put it into a messy side braid. But it looked so pretty I didn't want to lose the curls…! There was a hefty bit of backcombing at the crown then I simply gathered the sides into a barrette at the back. Doing the odd hair tutorial on my coming-soon YouTube channel will be something I want to do (most people want to see make up) so I'll make a note of doing a video tutorial of this hairstyle :))

  13. 23 April 2015 / 3:28 pm

    Catherine I have been waiting and waiting for this post ever since you gave us a sneak peek on Friday! You look INCREDIBLE — seriously jaw-dropping! That dress is a winner itself and shooting at the Marble Arch? Life doesn't get better than that in my book! With your talents and writing skills I fully expect this to be the first of MANY nominations!!

    • 25 April 2015 / 1:00 pm

      Aww Ashley honey thank you!!!!!!!!! You're such a sweetheart and I love how you and so many others support me so much. I must admit it was fabulous doing a photo shoot there – what I love about London is that you can do it amongst all those people and no one bats an eyelid..!! MUAH big hugs to you xoxo

    • 25 April 2015 / 12:58 pm

      Thank you so much Victoria – I have to remember to be proud of being nominated!! x

  14. 23 April 2015 / 11:17 am

    You looked beautiful Catherine! What. A. Frock! Huge well done on the nomination, as you say, an achievement in itself. Glad you had such a fantastic time and hey, there's always next year right?! 🙂 x

    • 24 April 2015 / 11:40 pm

      Absolutely, Katie – I'll definitely enter again next year!! Thank you so much sweetie xoxo

  15. 23 April 2015 / 10:15 am

    It was really nice to see you Catherine! Your dress definitely looked amazing! I had no idea it was so bold in daylight as I only saw it in the dark, but you looked stunning! Maybe 2016 will be our year! 😀 😀

    Raindrops of Sapphire

    • 24 April 2015 / 11:39 pm

      Aww Lorna you too, especially after not really meeting at the BIF event! And yes, we'll try again next year (thank you hun) xxx

  16. 23 April 2015 / 9:16 am

    Your so lucky to have been nominated and get to attend a swanky event. In love with that dress, it's stunning!
    Lauren
    livinginaboxx

    • 24 April 2015 / 11:38 pm

      Getting to go to an awards event – and having the chance to dress up! – was the best bit, Lauren (apart from meeting the lovely other girls, of course). Thank you hun xx

  17. 23 April 2015 / 9:00 am

    Oh gosh, what a stunner of a dress! And you look incredibly beautiful in it Catherine, love the hair. Sorry you didn't win, but glad you had fun nonetheless. I like Scarlet Vintage, always pop by whenever I'm in the area. x

    • 24 April 2015 / 11:37 pm

      Unfortunately they've closed the shop in Bath now, Porcelina! Hopefully Debs will open it again in the future she says. And thank you, I (luckily) had a good hair day…!!

  18. 23 April 2015 / 8:27 am

    Beautiful dress 🙂

  19. 23 April 2015 / 8:07 am

    Sorry you didn't win, but it sounds like a great night. The '70s dress is absolutely beautiful, and it suits you perfectly. Very Florence and the Machine indeed! x #Brilliantblogposts

    • 24 April 2015 / 11:35 pm

      That's such a great compliment, Leigh, I loved that comparison!! Thank you sooooo much x

  20. 23 April 2015 / 5:41 am

    That dress is absolutely gorgeous and you look amazing. No worries about not winning the award, I can bet there are more in your future.

    March and May

    • 24 April 2015 / 11:34 pm

      That's so lovely of you to say so, Ana – thank you!!

    • 24 April 2015 / 11:34 pm

      Sounds like my first reaction when I saw it online for the first time, JJ!!!! Thank you my lovely xx

    • 24 April 2015 / 11:33 pm

      Thank you Alice, I have to be proud of myself for getting shortlisted!! So glad you like the dress x

  21. 22 April 2015 / 10:52 pm

    Oh wow, this is absolutely amazing, Catherine – what a show-stopper of a dress! You look stunning – sounds like a lovely night, too 🙂

    • 24 April 2015 / 11:32 pm

      Oh gosh I can imagine you in this dress Amber with your hair… I bet it'd look amazing!! Thank you so much MUAH x

  22. 22 April 2015 / 10:09 pm

    Absolutely gorgeous. All of it. You, the hubs and the dress. Wonderful!

    • 24 April 2015 / 11:32 pm

      Aww Gracey thank you thank you!!!!!!!!!! He's not so bad I guess… heehee ;))))

  23. 22 April 2015 / 10:04 pm

    Sounds like a perfectly lovely evening, Catherine, and you and your husband are gorgeous. xox

    • 24 April 2015 / 11:31 pm

      It was so much fun, Patti!! Thank you so much xx

    • 24 April 2015 / 11:31 pm

      I have to agree with you, Emily Jane :)))

  24. 22 April 2015 / 7:42 pm

    You look stunning! You are so beautiful and your husband iy very handsome. What a nice couple!

    The dress is gorgeous. You should be first! You are top from GB for me anyway.

    • 24 April 2015 / 11:30 pm

      Martina thank you!!!!!!!!!! Bless you, you're so sweet to say so xoxo

  25. 22 April 2015 / 7:32 pm

    Wow! Great dress. Congratulations on your nomination. My favorite pic is on the tube. That must have been a fun ride.

    • 24 April 2015 / 11:30 pm

      Su-z thank you – it came out pretty well for a quick selfie on the tube…!!! xoxo

  26. 22 April 2015 / 7:09 pm

    you looked stunning and the Silver Londoner did not look to bad either ( kidding you both look fabulous)
    That dress seems so you and sorry you did not win the award but you are the winner in our books

    • 24 April 2015 / 11:25 pm

      Awwwww Linda you're such a sweetheart, bless you! Yes he did look pretty dashing in his suit… kind of incredible in fact (it was a flippin smart suit)! Thank you xx

  27. 22 April 2015 / 6:14 pm

    You look lovely, such a stunning dress! Congrats on your achievement, glad you had a fab night! x

    • 24 April 2015 / 11:24 pm

      Aww we really did, Steff, and thank you. One to remember :))

  28. 22 April 2015 / 4:35 pm

    You look beautiful. And I love the fact that you probably looked really unique and different. It's good to stand apart from the crowd. Good luck for next year. Lorraine x

    • 24 April 2015 / 11:24 pm

      Ahh Lorraine it's always my ploy to wear vintage to events, weddings, etc. so I don't run the risk of bumping into the same dress…!!!!!!! Thank you so much sweetie x

  29. 22 April 2015 / 4:17 pm

    that dress is INCREDIBLE!!! You look amazing! Thanks for sharing the links, may have just filled up my ASOS basket….!!

    Rosie xx

    • 24 April 2015 / 11:22 pm

      Haha sorry about that, Rosie!! You're a love, thank you x

  30. 22 April 2015 / 4:10 pm

    Wow! What a dress! So happy you had a chance to wear it. You guys must have classed up that tube!

    Sorry you didn't win but glad you hear you enjoyed the evening.

    bisous
    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

    • 24 April 2015 / 11:21 pm

      Hehe I was more than a little overdressed on the tube, Suzanne, even for London! Thank you my lovely xo

  31. 22 April 2015 / 3:57 pm

    Oh this dress is just perfection! Stunning outfit on a stunning lady!

    Thank you so much for your lovely lovely words! Huge congratulations on your shortlisting- it was such a fabulous event and, once again, so lovely to meet you and Mr Silver Londoner!

    Lauren x
    http://www.prettyposhohmygosh.com/

    • 24 April 2015 / 11:21 pm

      Aww Lauren thank YOU – can't tell you how nice it was to meet you both… it's always the best bit of blogging (meeting other bloggers). It was a fun night, that's for sure…!! x

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