One of the reasons I wanted to go to the Toronto Vintage Clothing show was because of the dress in the middle below. Isn’t it heavenly and pretty much the perfect dress for Easter?
I literally ran to Robin’s Factory Girl Vintage booth to try on this “watercolour in the rain” pastel dress as soon as I got to the show. I wanted it so badly! The colours were amazing.
But sadly it was not meant to be.
{Sob}
That is the thing with vintage clothing, there isn’t any give in the clothes. Although this looks great from the front, what you don’t see is the two inch gap in the back where I cannot do up the zipper no matter how I tried to “suck-it-all-in”. I would need at least one rib removed to make this beauty fit. It fit perfectly everywhere else and was even long enough. How on earth did they have such tiny torsos?
I was so disappointed : (.
But…
Fear not!
That did not deter me from finding another dress in Robin’s vintage inventory to take home.
Vintage Dress Styled Contemporary
An A-line dress in an orange, magenta, metallic bronze and gold. I rarely wear this shape of dress as it can add visual weight to my frame, especially with a high neckline like this one.
Styled with bright magenta tights, bronze sparkly shoes and a gold beaded clutch the dress looks very contemporary.
Would you ever guess this dress is 55 years old?
The fabric is quite similar to my other amazing vintage dress I picked up at Sweet Trash Vintage about four years ago.
Which you can see is much more the body conscious fit I would normally be attracted to.
Of course brilliant thing about this type of tent dress is that you can have two helpings at supper, three helpings of dessert and top it all off with a few handfuls of chocolates and no one will be the wiser.
This is such a great example of a well made vintage dress that truly stands the test of time and looks as contemporary today as the day it was made.
People often worry about looking dated when wearing vintage clothing.
I never worry about that. Well designed, well made clothing stands the test of time.
Linking up with Visible Monday I Will Wear What I Like
Oh, my! Both dresses are gorgeous. I know what you mean about vintage and the fit-issue is even worse for me, but their styles are so beautiful.
Well, you ended up with a fabulous dress! BUT, I really love the first dress and am wondering if you shouldn’t consider having a rib removed so that the first dress would work… 😉
Happy Easter!
This story has such a happy ending because you are so gorgeous in this 1960’s shift dress. I honestly believe that this dress has been waiting for 50 some years just to be worn by you! Fabulous!!!!
Wow..the colors in that dress (the one you purchased) are spectacular!!
I know what you mean about the small rib cages from the past. I have a dress from my grandmother’s time that looks like it was for a child—hardly an arm will fit in the torso area!
And the reasoning for a tent dress are spot on!!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
ps…the coloring on the dress you bought is better with your complexion (just trying to make you feel better)
You look beautiful in both dresses! 🙂
The new dress is stunning! I loooooooove how you styled it with the magenta tights…perfect!!!! I ventured out of my comfort zone for my Easter dress and sewed up a “tent dress”. I too usually prefer a more fitted fit. :o)
JJ
http://www.dressupnotdown.blogspot.com
Oh my, that rainbow dress! Such a shame twas not meant to be. But, you are fabulously consoled with that orangey number. Great find xx
it’s a Fabulous (with a f*ck*n* Capital F) Dress!, and love how you’ve styled it with your pretty tights, such an amazing color combo, and you rock it !!. Really love this kind of dresses, comfy, cool and colorful!, gorgeous!!
besos
🙂 The flowery dress was ok. However, I prefer your final pic.
Great choice and looks superb on you!
HAPPY EASTER! 🙂 xo
The colors in the dress you bought are stunning on you. I have to agree about the small torso’s – years ago, when I was much smaller, I tried to try on some of my grandmother’s dresses – and couldn’t even get them on! Hope you’re having a wonderful Easter weekend!
It is such a shame that the beautiful watercolour dress did not fit.
It really is a beauty.
The fit of Vintage clothing is always a surprise. We forget that women were trussed up in impossibly uncomfortable “underpinnings” to squeeze bits in and hoist other bits up.
Those girdle things look agony.
They must have been desperate to get everything off when they got home!
I am glad you managed to pick up a little something anyway….it is a winner with your hair colour.
And, those tights get a double thumbs up from me!
XXX
Samantha
Amazingly similar paisleys! Both are gorgeous esp with your brilliant hair. I hat it when zippers don’t zip, damn those vintage women with no ribs! xox
Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
I think it’s as much about how you style the dress as the dress itself (which is beautiful) – pairing it with jewel-tone tights add a modern edge to it. The colours couldn’t be more perfect with your hair. Even though you couldn’t get the Easter dress, I think this one looks great on you.
Oh Suzanne, I’d steal this from right under your nose if I had the chance! These colours are fab on both of us and I certainly don’t have any problem with a little bit of room for extra helpings any day of the week. Great styling with these tights and shoes too. Vintage wins hands down as you say for great fabrics made to last. Beautiful x
Anna
Anna’s Island Style
You are quite right, quality design stuff lasts forever and will always be beautiful. Love the dress and I love the way you styled it with those red tights. I would never have come up with that. Well done.
As for the water colour dress… Did you consider to have a few inches added next to the zipper? In the ribbon colours of the “belt”?
Greetje
The first dress was pretty but the second dress is just wonderful, a super cool shape and amazing print and colours, you scored big time! Everything about it is fabulous and you look beautiful in it.
Coloured opaques are brilliant for dragging a vintage dress into the 21st Century as is statement jewellery and bold make-up.
Like you, I wear vintage because I love the quality and want to look different, not to look like a throwback. xxx
That dress is EVERYTHING!! Love the way you styled it!
http://whosaprettygirl.com
That dress you bought is gorgeous- so opulent!! I had a vintage 50’s dress offered to me recently which was similar to the one you wanted- it was a bright green lace dress with a crinoline underskirt – it was gorgeous- with the zipper undone, it looked amazing from the front but sadly it would not do up- it was free as well!!!!
Looking dated is not something I worry much about; vintage is all about great style without any expiry date! I love that dress, and it looks so good on you, especially with your colouring. What a find! xxx