Wedding Dresses for Erica

This post is inspired by my friend Erica, who is currently on the hunt for a wedding dress for her late summer nuptials. If you spend enough time doing vintage and Etsy hunts online, you will inevitably find a handful of beautiful, period-piece wedding dresses, so when she mentioned that she was back to square one on her dress hunt, I had to jump at the chance to imaginarily dress her! This may be a second dress for her, as her original dress was mis-altered, so I am trying to search for dresses that have a spark of originality, at $700 or under.

Erica is what I'd describe as an urban-renaissance girl, so I like the idea of dressing her in handmade, too. She's punk rock (I mean, the real, conscious, ethical punk - not the kind that looks 'punk') and she drives a truck, and is super ladylike (I mean sews her own curtains and bakes you up a big plate of sweets and a dinner to boot). As you can imagine, it's hard for me to envision her in anything off the rack, so naturally I've given more thought to vintage/handmade shops than new retail bridal stores (also I'm just not terribly familiar with those stores). Ah, and I forgot to mention, there is an additional challenge to the search. The venue will be an outdoor wedding, in the hot/humid east coast summer, so I'm trying to be mindful of dress weight, volume, and possibly how well the dress translates with flats.

I'm not typically a fan of wedding dresses that are overly puffy, or cupcake-like, but doesn't this dress just look sweet, light, and most of all romantic? It wasn't steamed yet in this photo, but hey, it was $5, (not to add insult to injury, 'cause dresses are expensive!). Great find, and though I am not sure how practical this type of treasure hunt would be for the standard bride, I like the dress and think that something similar would show off Erica's svelte figure without being too full in the skirt.


Then there is this one that I found on Etsy. It is by englishdept, and what I like about it is that it isn't quite empire-waist, it is longer and more tailored in the torso, therefore less likely to look like a maternity-friendly wedding gown. My only wish for this dress is that it were floor length and not tea length. There is a similar one on her website, but I like where the waist is nipped better on this one.



About Erica's personality, she's very sociable, and I'd imagine that once she's got that dress on she'll want to be able to make rounds and visit with family without having to think about her dress again. The strapless option would have to be a near perfect fit to keep from slipping (double-sided tape business aside), and being outdoors, in humidity, I started thinking about straps, and gauzy and boho.

Here's one by Elizabeth Dye, also the same designer as the one above.



This silk collar dress is off the rack, and at around $500, seems like it could be a very comfortable fit for the venue.

Thurley Silk Collar Gown

Then there is this 50's dress, which she has the waist and hips to pull off! I think the detachable train adds a delightful little touch of tradition.


And, of course, I had to end my search with two dresses from one of my favorite Etsy shops, TimelessVixenVintage.



By now Erica is probably laughing at what I've 'made her try on.' Good luck dress shopping, see you soon!

Ok, enough white for this post, I promise the next one will be more colorful!

YSL and Christian Dior Winter '10-'11

Haven't quite had the time to take photos of all the lovely updates that are going up in the store, but here are a few pictures from the runway. I've been sitting on these shots of the Yves St. Laurent and Christian Dior for a little while now. I like the lace, ascot ties and subtle colors.

Christian Dior

YSL

Basterd-ous Stills, Hats, and The Leopard

Have you seen Inglourious Basterds, yet? I saw it twice in one week! The film had many flawless costumes, but I was much more interested in the womens' suiting details than the pretty evening gowns. Here's just one more photo of Diane Kruger, it's a still from the film. Adore the hat, the collar detail, and the jacket. The details are perfectly complimentary, aren't they?

Now for the leopard.

Leopard print is one of those fashion things that almost no one I know is ambivalent about: you either love it, or you hate it. I suppose that's because it can go from classy to kitsch in about 3 inches. I, for one, generally like it, but this hat is over-the-top divine! Although I have a colorful array of knitted winter hats and woolen caps, I don't own one (non-functional at that!) beauty like this. On a side note, isn't that poodle terrifying! I think it's the bushy brow bangs.

Diane Kruger in German Vogue

Fabulous black and whites featuring Diane Kruger, photographed by Karl Lagerfield, styled by Christine Arp. I'm in love with these feminine/masculine looks!

Image source: The Fashion Rogue

Etsy Shop Update! Party Dresses, by Day and by Night

It's party season again (not to mention wedding season!), and if you're like me you already have plenty to plan for. The events that I have penned on my calendar are as different as night and day, which is why I'm updating the Etsy shop with two of my favorite finds: two unique dresses with a simple daytime or nighttime elegance. The venue, however, is up to you!

...by day

Soft Pink Jeweled Sheath Dress

...by night




Black Illusion Neckline Party Dress

Etsy Shop Preview: Soft Basics and Classic Prints

As the days get warmer I'm shifting towards soft, layerable cardigans, and classic, lightweight prints.
Here's a preview of a few items that will be going up in the shop this weekend.

Softest Gray Cardigan, Pleated Nautical Skirt

Houndstooth 'Miss O' Suit by Oscar De La Renta, Navy Kick Pleat Dress

Etsy Shop Sneak Preview: Secretary Dresses

This week's Etsy shop update plans have changed! It was to be only black and white prints, but here's a sneak preview of a few of the colorful and lightweight dresses that will be going up this week.

Peter Pan Collar 'H' Print Secretary Dress

Red Striped Secretary Dress

Kerchief Neckline Secretary Dress

Roll Em'

After my best girlfriend did it, and after I got a look at the Lena Hoschek show (see previous post), I had to try it! Hopefully you can make out what's going on from the lo-fi snap of my camera phone.

Retro Chic!

The shop has a lot of 70's in it, I know, but the blouses and skirts of that era are simply luxurious! I'll be posting about that more in the next few weeks, when the shop gets ready for spring and the colorful silk blouses come out, but right now I can't help but spill the beans! There are some select 50's and 60's period pieces that will soon make their way into the shop's mix. It'll be a bit piecemeal, but until then, let me share with you two of my favorite contemporary designers who's retro inspired looks run the gamut of everything from 50's-80's.

Foremost, Lena Hoschek:

Sprechen sie Deutsch? Ausgezeichnet! Hier ist Lena Hoschek in Vogue Deutschland.
You can see more of her looks in German Vogue. Or here on her website.

Lots of full sleeve blouses, high-waisted circle skirts, pencil skirts, pinup skirts, and (ahem) aprons! If you've been on the horn with me in the past few months, you'll know that apron making has been my latest project. I see a crafting post on the horizon!

Then there is Sika:
Her designs are not only community conscious, but ethically progressive, too!