Explore Our Vintage Spring & Summer Dresses - Part 2

Vintage fashion is full of flattering silhouettes, which is why these timeless styles are still in fashion over 70 years later. Banned has released a new range of retro dresses just in time for spring and summer. These longer midi and knee-length dresses are ideal for a casual day out full of movement or for a breathable yet appropriate alternative dress for work. We love the diversity of Banned’s latest additions to its retro collection, from 40s practical tea-dress styles to 50s style dresses and rockabilly designs. 

The Banned Tropical Kate Dress is perfect, from the office to your holiday getaway! The longer length and covered shoulders keep you protected from the sun, but the lightweight fabric keeps the dress breathable. With a structured collar and cinched, belted waist, this tea dress is perfect for a picnic in the sun or an evening meal. Dress down with casual sandals or pair with some colourful heels to bring out the bright tropical flowers in the pattern. 

The brightly coloured Evie Tropical Sarong Dress also features a summery jungle print, however, the dress has a far more casual style that’s perfect for a day of tanning topped off by a boogie in a beach bar. This Tropical Sarong Dress has a tie-side feature that cinches the waist, with a feminine sweetheart neckline and halterneck tie. This bold hibiscus and blossom print pattern hugs the body and is an eye-catching blend of light and dark colours. This dress was made for walking along a beach with a pair of heels in your hand as you watch the sunset. 

Bold prints such as the one on this Yvette Palm Leaves Dress are all part of the fun with retro dressing; this silhouette was popular in the 40s and made a comeback in the 70s when fun and vibrant prints were king. This dress mixes the two completely separate decades with this modernised take. We love the large golden leaf print that overtakes this dress, with a pattern-matched belt around the waist.

The Nora Cherry Swing Dress has an equally bold yet revitalising cherry print on a lovely navy fabric, but a wider and more voluminous swing skirt that naturally makes the waist look smaller, rather than with a belt. This dress has a larger print style, with a squared neckline and thicker straps. On the back of this dress is an adorable surprise; a heart-shaped cut-out rests high between the shoulder blades, helping to keep you cool in the hotter months. If you wanted, you could even flip this dress around and wear the heart at the front! The invisible zip on the side means you don’t have to worry about zips sitting in the wrong place. 

If you prefer the swing dress style but are looking for something a little more formal and less colourful, our Amalia Swing Dress is the best. This elegant knee-length dress is perfect for dressing up for an evening out; in this dress with some heels and a warm shrug, you would feel ready for the red carpet. The wide boat neckline and off-the-shoulder three-quarter-length sleeves elongate the neck and emphasise the narrowness of the waist before the dress flares around the hips. Create an hourglass shape with this gorgeous and flattering fit-and-flare silhouette. This stunning 50s style dress is a fantastic option when considering alternative formalwear; if you want to look classy and elegant, this dress is perfect for you. 

Comfy and casual over formal and overdressed is currently in though, so you may prefer our Banned Swallows Millie dress. This denim dress has two embroidered sparrows on either side of the collar, with a delicate pink tie-neck in the centre. Its short, capped sleeves make it perfect for the spring weather. This rockabilly dress has small pink buttons that match the collar lining the front, ensuring it’s easy to slip on and off, making it great for any beach day. The princess seams highlight the bodice and the tighter fit, with a slight flare at the waist leaving the skirt moveable and lightweight. 

Unfortunately, spring doesn’t always equal instant warmth and sunshine! If you need to add a layer to your outfit, don’t ruin the lovely retro vibe you have going. Try pairing your stunning 50s dress with some gorgeous vintage cardigans from Banned’s retro range. For a lighter layer, why not go for the sleeveless Zelda Swallows Jumper? This gorgeous pastel, stripe, navy-themed jumper has a rounded tie-neck collar with Swallows embroidered on either side. This vintage jumper is the perfect pair to the Swallows Millie Dress, but it would also look great layered over a shirt and paired with some jeans, a skirt, or shorts if you are feeling particularly warm! The soft blue of the jumper would compliment any light-wash denim. 

After a retro cardigan that will go with everything in your wardrobe, but still add a little something extra to your outfit? Lucky for you, we have just the cardigan in our latest retro spring and summer arrivals. The Annie Love Cardigan is made of a deep black fabric that will match with anything else in your wardrobe, with pops of bright red colour. This square-neck cardi has small heart-shaped buttons down the front, with two small hearts embroidered above the sleeves. On the body of the cardi, a swallow flies in a heart, however, the main feature of this cardigan is on the back. Large, boldly printed Gothic text is embroidered, with another larger swallow flying across the back, holding a heart. This cardigan is a lovely layer to throw on top of everything else when you’re feeling cold or wear as a top itself. This cardigan would pair well with everything, however, we think it could look particularly great paired with the Amalia dress. 

Searching for the perfect retro top? This vintage-style Winona Hearts Jumper provides a perfectly balanced top for any cooler days this spring and summer. The tight-knit material and sleeves allow the wearer to stay warm, but the short length and breathable material keep you cool once it starts heating up. The colour-blocking adds to the retro vibe, and the small hearts inside the diamond pattern are a cute touch that matches the collar. The bright red boat neck collar is the perfect final touch to this retro top. Pair with a long and full skirt for a 50s look, or a mini skirt and boots for the 60s. 

We love retro fashion, and we’re always excited to explore the latest additions to our collection. What’s your favourite decade of vintage fashion? Let us know @bluebananauk. If you love 1950s fashion and swing dresses, check out part 1 of this blog to discover more about our exclusive range from Bleeding Heart. Our extensive range of vintage UK fashion covers everything from workwear to alternative formal clothing to the perfect attire for a casual day trip at the beach. Find the perfect item for you this summer, whether you’re a long-time lover of retro fashion or you’re just starting to fall.