Saturday 21 April 2012

A Little Black Dress in practice

So, here's a photoshoot! The Little Black Dress, as I wore it to the wedding today.

(I'll probably also do some photos of details, later.)

 The jacket is about 40 years old; one of the things I got from my friend's mother, together with the Alice Stuart blouse. It came with ugly, non-matching and awfully attached buttons. I switched them for these blue-and-white ones my grandfather had made (with resin and ink); when I was a child, my mom had them on a dressing gown, and I've always loved them in the stash and wanted to find a worthy use for them. I think I did.
 (The jacket still needs to be taken in a little bit in the back for me, but otherwise it's a perfect match for the dress!)

 Necklace from my grandmother and my favourite thrifted shoes.
And a very nifty (alas, very small) purse that can go from shoulderbag to clutch.

And the Madeline hat, with many thanks to Lisa. It has really turned out to be just the hat for me; I think you'll be happy to hear I got compliments on it, Lisa. :-)

And many thanks to my sister for the photos, and for help with the dress - she marked the back neckline for me, and the perfect skirt length as well.

As we were dressing up and my sister admired my 50s inspired outfit and I admired her Indian violets (I took a photo of her, too, but it sadly did not turn out well - I'm not used to photographing people...), we got the scary idea that we might upstage the bride.

We needn't worry.

She comes from Algeria; she was so nicely put together in her Algerian outfit that no one could outshine her, not even the medieval-clad guests from Germany. :-)

12 comments:

  1. That dress has such a beautiful shape. It looks great on you! You did such a nice fitting job.

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    1. Thank you! I'm very happy about the shape. The fabric's quite stiff, so it holds the shape of the skirt nicely - and it has elastan in it, so it works for the bodice as well. It was a lucky find, cheap and last three meters on the bolt. :-)

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  2. hana, you look MAHVELOUS! the fit is just perfect, i love that neckline.

    and the bride looks so very cool!

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    1. Doesn't she? :-)

      And thanks. I'm very happy about the dress - it's the sort of ladylike dress I've always wanted to have, and now I have the pattern to make many more, hehe!

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  3. Yes, you can make more, and perhaps do little variations here and there - I think that's what Anna does, and it's a way of perfecting your technique and abilities. This fits you so perfectly, and looks so professional - good work!

    I'm so glad you are enjoying the hat, and the compliments are a confirmation that it was sent to the right person! Wonderful!

    Sounds like an interesting wedding - what with ethnic and medieval costume involved.

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    1. The groom is behind the medieval event in my hometown, and he's got historical buff friends all around Europe; I also recognised people from Italy. :-) Sadly, the bride's family from Algeria did not make it, because they did not get their visa in time... That would have made it even more interesting!
      We're hoping with my sister that she'll be able to teach us some Algerian recipes... We haven't had a chance to really talk to her so far, but we were thinking that if she were interested, some recipe sharing could be a good way to help her settle in our town. And, well, we're also as curious as monkeys about Algerian food. :D

      And yes, I intend to do variations. The next in line is a brown double knit from the stash, which I want to have simple cap sleeves and perhaps a higher neckline in the front.

      The hat's just wonderful!

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  4. Wow! You look stunning! What a great dress to have in your closet. I must say you did a wonderful job on the fit.

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    1. Thank you! Ah, the advantages of muslining! :D

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  5. That is a darling LBD! So perfect for you! I want to see more dresses made with the pattern!

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    1. Thank you! Well, I hope there will be more myself!

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  6. That's a beautiful dress and you've done a great job accessorising it. I really like pleats too.

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    1. Thank you! Yes, this sort of full pleated skirt is becoming one of my favourites...

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