The Mother of All Unicorns!

The year was... a long time ago and an absolutely stunning Eva Franco dress released on ModCloth and while I was desperately trying to figure out how I could afford it at $325 in 20-teens dollars, this same Russian Doll dress turned up in an episode of New Girl and then sold out immediately. 

A restock came along but I still couldn't swing the price.  I found matching fabric and made an apron dress version.

 I found similar fabric and learned to sew so I could make my own version.  

And, over the years, I have kept an eye on the resale sites but each time this dress turned up the price was the same.  The dresses kept aging and getting wear, but that brand new price would. NOT. budge.

Finally.   FINALLY!  I have found the dress.  In good condition.  At a reasonable, age appropriate price.  Finally, after 10 long years of waiting in suspense, I have found the dress.  The wait is finally over; let's do this!!

Do I love the dress?  Yes, yes I do.  I had to do a little tailoring and as you can see, it's very low cut.  I've layered it with a navy blue lace cami for work and I may just find a pretty bra that goes well with it for everyday wear since it's sure to show.

But, I need to note that this fabric is the Exact. Same. Stuff. I bought in Japan.  Had I known that it was the same canvas fabric, I would probably have just made a dress from it back then. Alas, my sewing knowledge and skills were just forming and I was unsure of myself.  Ultimately, it doesn't matter, I've had fun sewing and searching for this dress, and now it's mine.  

Outfit Info:  Qupid heels are old, Matryoshka bag is old, necklace is vintage, Eva Franco Russian Doll dress is thrifted

GownTown Betty

Betty Page, Betty Rubble, and my darling Aunt Betty all have one thing in common: the bombshell factor.  These ladies wore that 50s style in such a way that it set the example for the rest of us.  It was the hair, the the lipstick, and most of all it was the dress, and GownTown gets it.

Today's post features GownTown's 1950s' swing dress with pockets in this bombshell blue and that little upward swoop of piping at the bust line really ups the wow factor.  This dress is a dream and comes in a range of colors for a very reasonable price.  Absolute love!

Outfit Info: GownTown 1950s Swing Dress with Pockets-$39.99, Shoes from B.A.I.T., Petticoat from Leg Avenue

Orange and Blue Will Do

One of my earliest posts was about the right way to combine color wheel opposites such as orange and blue.   If you're not familiar with color theory, color wheel opposites are the harshest visual combination.  But that doesn't mean you have to steer clear.   You can see my previous posts on orange and blue here and here, but the jist is: reach for a more muted shade of one to enhance the other. 

For today's outfit I combined an intense orange with a (muted) navy blue and a darker orange cardi to tone down the contrast.  Voila!  Visual interest instead of seared retinas.   

Outfit Info:  Emily and Fin Tiger dress is Thrifted, Ecosusi Bag, B.A.I.T. shoes, YeMak cardigan

Grace & Style with Chillinen

Friends, I don't know what it's like where you live, but around here, August is pretty miserable, so this collaboration with a brand that offers timeless elegance, vintage silhouettes, and natural fibers?  Um, yes, please!  The lovely people at Chillinen sent over 3 lovely dresses for me to try and I absolutely adored all of them.  We're kicking things off with this Vintage Blue Floral Midi Dress  (this is not an affiliate link)  This brand has everything I'm looking for and you can save $12 off your first order with my promo code, BLEU.  I've made a very comprehensive video review, which I'm including down below, so for this post, I'll just let the photos do the talking.

Outfit Info:  Midi Linen Dress in Floral Vintage Blue from Chillinen  Save $12 off your first order with code BLEU 

The Pajamafication of Style

Have you noticed that there is less and less style out there? Where are the people with style? Why is every one out there walking around in some kind of co-opted sleep or athletic wear when they are neither sleeping nor athletic? Why? My two favorite fashion snobs recently referred to it as the pajamafication of America. In other words. People are trying to make laziness and apathy seem like a style, but it's not.  

Everywhere I go everyone looks the same. No matter the weather; no matter the occasion.  The dress code in this country is: Ultra (almost shamefully) Casual.  I went to a funeral a few weeks ago and was surprised to be the only one  not just wearing black, but dressed up in any way.  I've been to a few weddings like that too.  Church? Check.  Holidays? Check.  Work? School?  A nice dinner out? Check, check, and check.  No one dresses up for anything and that stinks, because it's not an income issue; it's an effort issue.  

Not only does no one dress up, no one dresses out.  No one dresses differently from anyone else anymore either.  Where are the rockabillies, the punks, the mods and twees?  Where are the goths, steampunks, cowboys, and skaters?  Coquettes, preppies, anyone? Where are all the new fashion groups people are inventing?  Where is anyone wearing anything other than disgusting athlesiure or sloppy jeans and tees?  I'm going to say this again because it bears repeating: Finances are not the explanation.  Creativity and effort are free.  A lot of the very best fashion niches were based on having no money and still creating outfits that had maximum self expression.  

Where'd they all go?  And, not on social media, it's easy enough to fake style there.  Where are the fashion subcultures, the interesting, self expressive people in real life?  I'm beyond bored with jeans, t shirts, athleisure slop and the complete lack of effort that goes into wearing them.  (Although, I will say that it's much more physically demanding to wiggle into stretchy pants than it is to just slip on a dress, so the effort saved is mainly...mental? spiritual?)  If you see the any of the niches that used to say I am me, I'm unique, and I want to I express it, will you tell them I'm looking for them, because I really miss them.

Outfit Info:  Bernie Dexter Polka Dot Dress and Petticoat are thrifted, Bag is vintage, YeMak Sweater, B.A.I.T. Heels