Las Vegas Weekly

April 7, 2009 · 5:17 PM

How to rock vintage duds for Viva Las Vegas 12

By Xania Woodman

Red lipstick, pearls and a sexy pout, you don't have to be Bettie Page to play pin-up.

Photo: Alaskan Dude / Flickr

Planning to hit Viva Las Vegas 12 this weekend at the Orleans? Better get your pumps in a row. The Weekly visited the Bettie Page store inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood where pin-up model and retro spokes-dame Doris Mayday gave us the lowdown on how to rock Rockabilly.

1. The perfect cheesecake dress - Look for dresses with a below-the-knee hemline and darting to nip you in at waist. Feminine details like buttons, lace, flair and nautical styling will draw attention to you at Viva. Remember, it’s all about the waist!

2. Underneath it all: foundation garment - As Doris says, “Girdles. Ladies wore girdles in the ’50s and ladies need to wear girdles now!” Also: garters, seamed stockings with Cuban heels, the bullet bra “for that extra perk in your step” and definitely a crinoline, but only for circle dresses, Doris warns.

3. Accessorize – Opt for a structured, patent leather or leopard vintage handbag to hold all of your modern stuff. Then, cat-eye or rhinestone sunglasses, hair flowers and vintage jewelry. Ask your mom to cough up the pearls, rhinestones and broaches.

4. Shoes! – “Pumps, pumps, pumps!” Look for round toes or peep-toes and platforms are great for elongating the leg. Only not when dancing! For those jive lessons and competitions, it’s flats or kitten heels that will keep you moving.

5. The finishing touches - Hair and makeup: Red lips, cat-eye liner and fake eyelashes are a must. Just watch it with the eyebrows—neat and sweet, nothing exotic or overly touched. For the hair, Doris recommends hot rollers as a faster alternative to attempting a head full of pin-curls or a curling iron. One pin-curl in the front with a flower at the temple and you should be ready to rockabilly!

Guys—We didn’t forget you! Doris says you cats should rock gabardine t-shirts, atomic print t-shirts, fleck jackets and trousers. “The more authentic the better.” If you can’t get a hold of that in time, Doris advises “You can never go wrong with a pair of blue jeans – cuff ‘em up—and white t-shirt.”

Share This