I have been after trying my hand at alterations for a while. So when I spotted this dress at a Jumble Sale at the weekend for just 25p (!!!!), I thought it would be the perfect starting point. I was going to take it up to just above the knee. But when I tried it on I actually really like the length. I feel like a lady. Like my boyfriend said, I feel like I should be having a summer picnic in Hyde Park. I think it is from the 80s as it had shoulder pads which I took out straight away. I have no desire to look like an American footballer. I looked up the label and it is a House of Fraser brand that still sells in store today. Brand new dresses retail at £89!Excuse the bare feet but I am stuck on the footwear department. I tried brogues but they just did not look right. I tried white tights with it but alas I looked like I was wearing surgical stockings so I think it will be a strictly summer dress.
So opinions please!
So opinions please!
Shall I alter it? Will it be difficult because of the pleats? (I can always get some help off my Aunt as she used to be a dressmaker)
What shoes would go best with it?
The jumble was a success, apart from the fact I nearly got beaten up by 80 year old grannies. No one comes between them and bargains as I found out! I managed to get a bunch of things for Ebay, brand new electric blue flat pumps from New Look, a pair of pearl earrings (RIP they have now broken, quite possibly why they were 50p!) and a huge Mary Poppins style carpet bag which I am unsure on wether to keep or sell.
Outfit details:
Cream cardigan: Topshop
Cream statement ring: Primark
Nail varnish: Raspberry Barry M
P.s how amazing is my new bed cover! It was from Primark! Inside it has rows of cameos, I am in love!
I love it! I think the length suits you but if it was me I'd have to take it up a bit as I feel shorter hems suit me better, so it's really a personal preference thing! If you wear shorter things more often then maybe take it up? It does look like a strictly summer dress (unless you wear those tan-coloured tights...? Or over-knee socks?) and I'd probably team it with a cute pair of ballet pumps, you could do bright accessories too?
ReplyDeletexx
Oooh maybe some cute wedges or clogs! with or without white socks! That could look really cute :) xx gorgeous dress also!
ReplyDelete@Oliva Oh white socks and clogs! I am in love with that idea! I brought some frilly ones from Asos ages ago but not worn them yet. Going to have to try it out tomorrow, in my gym clothes now!
ReplyDelete@Dani I am going to try the over the knee socks too. Sounds like a good idea!
Sophie
x
It looks gorgeous - 25p!!! It didn't scream "80s and needs altering" at me at all so I'd leave as is x
ReplyDeletelove this dress. I'd keep it as is... Its so cute :)
ReplyDeletehttp://cgdn.blogspot.com/
I love this, looks super expensive! I'd perhaps turn it up an inch or two to make it more go-to but am loving the ankle socks and clogs idea xo.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to dress it up I'd pair nude peeptoe heels with it!
ReplyDeleteI went to a jumble sale at the weekend too. You are so right about the grannies! I got smacked around the face with someones rucksack on their back! I lasted 15mins and had to leave!
Here's the link for that ebay seller too as you requested it on my blog
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/hkg101010/m.html
Leanne
-leannemariea.blogspot.com xx
I like it, looks very vintage-y and love the cardi too :)
ReplyDeletexo
http://madisonsassortment.blogspot.com/
Oh dear, i really don't know, i suck with decisions... i would say keep it this way for one summer and see how you like it and you can always change it later right? But I really like how it suits you!
ReplyDeleteomg im so jealous of your dress bargin. its such a stunnign colour and an amazing length ! Look perfect as it is !
ReplyDeleteohh thats just wonderful, the dress is perfect :)
ReplyDeletex
http://haveapeekinsidemywardrobe.blogspot.com/
It's super cute (and looks amazing against your wallpaper, may I add). ; )
ReplyDeleteI would keep the length, at least for this summer. The midi length is all the rage (can't believe I just wrote that) so you can be ladylike in Hyde Park this summer and alter it next year if you like. Kind of like having a whole new dress! Incidentally, I think the dress is completely awesome, and I agree with the wearing it with clogs idea! Where was this jumble sale???
@Emily I think I am going to keep it this length and then alter it for the winter to wear with tights. It was in a little village near my house in Essex.
ReplyDeleteSophie
x
I love it, it's so lovely and I would definitely keep the length. It really suits you. Perhaps it would look nice some tan sandals in the summer - I say that because it looks nice with your bare feet!
ReplyDeletexxx
I bloody love this dress and am very jealous however you are an fellow Essex girl and therefore I cannot be too mad at you for snaffling this gorgeous dress!! xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a find! Well done :D
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely little dress. I would take it to the knee if you can get your Aunt's help.
Do you have a little pair of ballet pumps? Topshop do really pretty, basic ones for about £15 which work really well with dainty little dresses like this.
But, as I'm a lover of my clogs, I'd say they would work too.
Lisa
x
Your new bed cover is lovely, the design is really pretty and that dress looks very cute on you. I'm not too acquainted with alterations so I don't really know how to advise you, but I think it looks very pretty all the same :) xxx
ReplyDeleteI swear to bloody god I was following you?!?!?!!??! Well I am now
ReplyDeleteThat dress is LOVELY! 25p ??? Oh my what a bargain. I love the length it is, you can certainly get away with it being that length.. very Florence Welch
Also do love your bed covers too.ha ha
Speak Soon
Joanne xxx
hmmm tricky one, i really like it this length on you but i think persoanlly i'd wear it more if it were shorter - but that may just be because i have an aversion to long hemlines!
ReplyDeleteas for shoes what about chunky wedges for a bit of a contrast? x
that dress looks great on you! i don't mind the length:) beautiful bedroom too!
ReplyDeletexx
heyrocketgirl
I'm loving longer length at the mo so would leave it for summer then maybe take it up come autumn-it'll look gorgeous worn shorter with a pair of grey ribbed tights :) What a bargain, I do love a good jumble sale! Sally x
ReplyDeleteI would keep the length! It looks lovely:)
ReplyDeleteI second the clog recommendations! :)
oooh keep it that length! very lady like, i think it would look cute with ankle socks and brogues or some pretty white sandals in the summer
ReplyDeletex
Thank for the tips and advice girls! :)
ReplyDeleteSophie
x
I would keep the length because it looks really nice, midis are really in atm too! you can always alter it in the future if you go off it.
ReplyDeleteI like the colour and things, but I think the midi length WITH the sleeves is a bit much. If I were you I'd keep the length, lose the sleeves and pull it in super-tight at the waist with a contrasting belt. I can't wait to see what you do with it, it has loads of potential!
ReplyDeletelovely! so mad men esque :) you could get away with making it a tad shorter, i think :) xx
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely comment Sophie :) I'm glad you liked the blog post. xxx
ReplyDelete25p?! Wow, that is the king of all bargains right there :) Congratulations on finding it, it looks absolutely beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI think you were right not to shorten the length. The length its at now looks so sophisticated and it'll be perfect for Spring/Summer!
xxx
I would say don't alter it! It's a lucky find that something fits perfectly without too much hassle to perfect it yourself, save your practising for other rainy days :) Hmmm I'm terrible with footwear decision too! If it's summer then perhaps a failsafe pair of gladiators of some kind... failing that, summery wedges? Blah, I'm REALLY bad at footwear, just read that back. In that case, prance around barefoot in the grass on your picnics :) jazzy ♥
ReplyDeleteI like the length and the colour really suits you. It could go shorter but it would give it a totally different look and I think it looks more original as it is. One of my friends shortens EVERY vintage dress she buys and sometimes I think it makes the dresses look unbalanced. Thanks for the lovely blog comment. I'd somehow managed to get my hair into a sort of victory roll for my night out but I'm not sure if it just ended up looking like a quiff x
ReplyDeleteoh, the dress is so pretty! you should definitely keep it that length. i agree that frilly white socks would look so perfect with it, teamed with some chunky heeled tan sandals. i think a pair of tan loafers would look pretty lovely too, primark are currently selling them for about £10! xx
ReplyDeleteCute outfit!
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