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2012-07-30

Un-Flounced

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Dress? Vintage, gift Shoes? Jeffrey Campbell Purse? Tignanello, thrifted

My parents gave this vintage dress to me a few years ago. They weren't sure I would actually wear it or even fit it but they knew I would appreciate the workmanship of the embroidery, the pin tucks and the crochet panels. All that work was done by hand; someone spent a lot of time making this dress. And while I enjoy the dress on a hanger, I really did want to wear it out too. For a blasphemous minute I thought about hemming the dress to update the look but then I mentally reprimanded myself for even thinking of such a thing. I am really, really cautious with the scissors around a vintage garment. Surprisingly the need to flaunt my legs is trumped by the respect I have for quality vintage. 
After a thorough inspection, I realized I could remove the big flouncy section of the sleeves without damaging the crochet panel. And removing that extra flounce suddenly made the dress so very wearable. In a moment of future preparation, I put those extra flounces carefully away in one of my sewing drawers, in case I ever want to re-attach them. I doubt it though. I change my mind about hem lengths, my hair and sandwiches at Subway but I don't think I am ever going to get into fussy sleeves. 

38 comments :

Tinacious Me said...

what a pretty dress! very cute in the first picture!
www.Tinacious.Me

Unknown said...

the dress is gorgeous && it looks great on you!

fashionable footprints

elycia said...

Ah! That dress is amazing. I'm currently working on some embroidery...and let me tell you...that dress definitely took forever!!!
You don't have a standard at Subway? What?! I guess my opinion might not count as I actually only have one option. Veggie for life.

Natasha Fatah said...

Beautiful dress!

~Natasha Fatah~
~Natasha Fatah~

pomomama said...

the dress, and you, look beautiful. would never have noticed the sleeves were altered - the whole assemblage looks bang up to the minute. and those shoes just complete the look :)

Anonymous said...

so pretty! please tell your parents that they can send me vintage dresses, as well. :)

Siena in Style said...

fabulous dress!!!i love it how you matched it with these heels!!
kisses from Milan
http://sienastyle.blogspot.it

Jessica Broyles said...

Pretty! I LOVE those shoes!

www.highheelstosneakers.com

eelsay said...

How sweet! It is a beautiful dress perfect for summer.

www.Theluxuryrehab.com

Deliciously Yours said...

This dress is wonderful and I'm so glad you kept the length.

Frannie Pantz said...

I am the same way with vintage pieces. It also helps that I have no idea how to sew or cut a straight line . . .

I love the dress and the length. I also love that you respect and appreciate the time it took to make such a glorious, gorgeous piece. What fabulous parents you have to pick this out for you!

Please may I? said...

beautiful dress.

x x

Alexa said...

wow this dress is gorgeous and i love those shoes <3 you look amazing

Alexa <3
http://sleepeatbreathefashion.blogspot.com/

Ani Barrington said...

Goodness that is a gorgeous dress!

Jennifer said...

What a fantastic dress!

xo Jennifer

http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com

Unknown said...

Such a great dress! The pattern and the fit: everything is perfect! Great styling.

xoxo,
Laura
http://lauraisthriftingthroughlife.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Thats a beautiful dress and im glad you didnt cut the length!

Jenny said...

Clearly we need a 'before' picture! It is lovely, your parents done good.

gleeps said...

Gasp! Gorgeous dress! And I love it that you paired it with your red sandals! You look so marvelous, Yen!
By "flounces", do you mean there were ruffles at the ends of the sleeves? I agree with Jenny - we need a before photo!

Santina said...

Oh, I absolutely adore that dress. It reminds me of all the beautiful embroidered clothing in Mexico. (Somehow, after living there for eleven months, I managed to leave with not one piece...really not sure what I was thinking.) I think you made the right choice in keeping the length and removing fabric from the sleeves. It looks gorgeous on you!

CC said...

Ooh. Pretty dress, love it with the modern shoe. ;)

Cham Orat said...

i soo like your blog. everything actually. i also love thrifting. its the best! ^_^

www.anythingariel.tumblr.com

(Eileen) a creative day said...

Its gorgeous! I'm jealous of your parents :-)

xoxo
eileen

myedit said...

Gleeps and Jenny- This link is kinda what it looked like before. Still pretty but it felt a little overpowering to me... especially as the flowers are also coloured. http://blog.lulusvintage.com/2006/04/spotted_vintage_1.html

Marie McGrath (The Joy of Fashion) said...

This dress looks absolutely stunning on you. I'm glad you didn't shorten it because the dress looks gorgeous at this length. The amount of detailing is amazing!

www.thejoyoffashion.blogspot.com

THE STEL STYLE said...

i love your dress!! it's so beautiful!!!

http://thestelstyle.com/

Emma said...

Jentine, you look so WONDERFULLY Dutch in this photo! My Dutch boyfriend is very pleased :)

gleeps said...

Ah, ok, now I see! Thank you so much for the "sorta looked like this before" link so that we can visualize what you dress looked like with the flounces. I can see how the flounces would seem like a little much. Your instincts were spot-on, and the dress suits you so well now. It looks vintage, yet modern, at the same time. The great modern shoes help with that effect, I think.

Jamie said...

What a gorgeous dress!!!

The Blue Hour

Margaret said...

Love this so much. I'm European and this reminds me so much of growing up there...wow!! Love it!

Sarah said...

That dress is the perfect maxi. I'm serious I'm dying over here!

Nessbow said...

That is practically my dream dress. It's so floaty and gorgeous. I particularly love the flowers. If you ever lose your mind and decide to give it away, I'd be happy to adopt it!

ggshoe said...

Lovely dress!!

mommy Orkid Belle said...

OMG! This is so beautiful. And you are too. :) I love this dress. :)

The Merchant Project said...

its totally fabulous! Great Gift!

The Merchant Project said...

its totally fabulous! Great Gift!

Betsy said...

So nice!

www.suspironews.blogspot.com

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