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Monday 1 October 2012

Everyone needs a ballerina dress

I was meandering down the sidewalk when suddenly a tiny glittery whirlwind engulfed me...I thought I was dreaming. When I awoke, prickling warm and dazed, I found myself wrapped in a tangle of autumn leaves and white tulle.




























This lovely vintage dress surely has stories to tell judging by the irregular trail of snags and rips in her balletic cloud of skirt. The bodice is ivory silk with a built-in foundation garment and boning along each side seam, and the straps are fragile soft pink elastic. I shall do minor mending on her to halt further deterioration and wear her only on special occasions, like today, just because. I only ventured as far as a local mini park with my tripod and tea, but my outing was very satisfying indeed.

Details
  • thrifted vintage gown with full tulle skirt and silk bodice, saved from Halloween abominations
  • black tights
  • black stretch pointed shoes
  • Shar Pei sweater over black boat-neck top, necessary for warmth
  • Spode teacup with tea
I'm sorry I didn't get a full standing shot; you'll only have to imagine a cloud of white tulle billowing across the horizon... Bwa-ha-ha!

I'm hooking up to Patti's Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style. She always starts the week off right. I shall see you there...? I must.


57 comments:

  1. Melanie, this is so much tulle fabulosity! I so want a ballet skirt now! I love that you carried your teacup with you.

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  2. I WANT THIS ENTIRE OUTFIT!!! Including the CUP!!!
    Connie*

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  3. Perfect! I love anything ballet, anything tulle, and teacups. And the whole story of how you were engulfed and just ended up like that by circumstance!? It's amazing what clothes cause, isn't it?

    xoxo
    Lynn

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  4. From dominatrix to prima princess in one post, what an adaptable style queen you are.

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  5. So lucky to have been saved by you. Love how the black of the rest of your outfit stops it from looking to angelic and girlie! M x

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  6. You took my breath away when I saw you in your ballerina skirt having a cup of tea in the pavement, ahhhhhhhhhhhhh ART in action, my dear Melanie.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  7. What is it about tulle that seems so magical? I can't help be think of fairies, ballerinas and dare I say...brides.
    Love the setting of the steps with fall leaves...like a page from a magazine.

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  8. Everything. Is. Perfect. You are perfect!!!!!!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

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  9. You only fuel my desire for a tulle skirt, even though I would likely have a kitten dangling from it, and have to wear her to work, or be really late due to cat extraction.

    My oldest, The Costume Technician, is making tutus this week at her job for The New York City Ballet - I will definitely send her this link. I think tutus are the next big thing for day wear.

    I hope :)

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  10. Yes, magical with a tea cup! LOL at Lynn's version with a kitten dangling from the tulle. Thanks for sharing your awesome self with Visible Monday.

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  11. YES! Everyone does need a ballerina skirt, and I think the world would be a happier place if we all got to wear one once in a while, and give in to our inner child and dance around. I love this photo of you, amongst the autumn leaves with your tea cup. I have a short ballerina-style skirt that I occasionally wear when roller skating and it makes me feel just slightly more fabulous.

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  12. Oh I do think that's a calendar girl pic, don't you? In fact, now that I mention it, so was the last one...and the one before, and certainly the spider woman one, and ... Yes! I'm on to something now. Bag and a Beret Calendar Girl calendar. And you have just enough time to get it together for the new year!!!!!!!!!!! I'm ready to place my order now, please.

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  13. I adore this picture of you! That is all! x

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  14. Oh my god!!!
    Love this!!!!!! You are amazing in that dress!!!
    Especially the golden touch of the teacup :)

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  15. Fun shot in a pretty, pretty look which you toughen up just enough. Curious to know what onlookers say . . .

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    1. Ah, you must be referring to the five or so highrises of people with their binoculars smashed against their windows and stupefied looks on their faces...

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  16. Anther great photo and magnificent words. Inspirational. I see the leaves are turning up North.

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  17. Oh Melanie. You really are brilliant. I looked up "Johnnie English" and it is the hysterical Rowan Atkinson!!!!! Yay!! I'm renting this Flick ASAP!! Thanks for the suggestion.
    Hug! Connie*

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  18. This is a beautiful, beautiful pic of you Mélanie - I adore it!
    Great work girl ! I have a couple of magnificient tutu skirts, time to bring them out i guess - i have to find the perfect spot, will i venture out to get the perfect pic? stay tunned!

    Ariane xxxxx

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  19. You take very lovely & creative photos, I love the picture!

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  20. How I Love this! Another inspiring photo :)

    Blow A Rainbow
    Blow a Rainbow on Facebook

    check out my blog and leave me a comment about my NEW POST.
    I'll wait you there dear.Have a Nice Day!

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  21. How I Love this! Another inspiring photo :)

    Blow A Rainbow
    Blow a Rainbow on Facebook

    check out my blog and leave me a comment about my NEW POST.
    I'll wait you there dear.Have a Nice Day!

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  22. this is the most beautiful photo of you ever! I love the dress, it's perfect. The whole backdrop is wonderful too. I've run out of words because it's too perfect!

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  23. I agree with what everyone has said above - this is the best, most beautiful photo of you EVER!
    Ballerina skirts are clearly necessary for everyone, they are good for the soul.
    Gorgeous wonderful delightful frothy loveliness! xxxxx

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  24. New reader here. Now I'm hooked. You're telling me to wear a ballerina dress, so how can I go anywhere? Beautiful look.

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  25. What a fabulous shot, Melanie! And the teacup is perfect. Tulle is definitely perfect for you: magical, airy and whimsical! xo

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  26. Okay, you're my favourite. Badass Ballerina Fairy on tea break, effin' A! I love reading your outfits as a series, each in relation to the previous and next.

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  27. What a great combination, the delicate tulle skirt with the shar pei sweater. I love the contrast, and the beautiful autumn colours around you! Could this be a new trend - drinking tea al fresco while wearing ballet skirts?

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  28. What a fabulous photograph, and I just love the description of this clothing - a dress with an interesting past, deserving of a story all of it's own.
    And by the way, I've said it before (and shall probably say it again) but I just love your hair that colour.

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  29. Aaaah! Enchantingly lovely! A ballerina outfit in black and white. That's great!

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  30. Your photos are always so beautiful!

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  31. You are one of the most creative women I know of. Your photos are amazing as are your outfits. I dreamt of being a ballerina when I was young. Never got lessons or a tutu. I did take some classes as an adult and I loved it.

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  32. This is my favourite pic of you EVER. I love love love love love this so much in fact, that I might even try to recreate it in homage to you... do you mind? I cannot tell you how much I love this! Sarah xxx

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    Replies
    1. I would LOVE love love to see your gorgeous self in this look - that would be incredible amazing stupendous.

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  33. What an absolutely beautiful photograph. This is an extra special one, Melanie.

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  34. That beautiful picture! The tulle is magical, and you are evocative and romantic... Beautiful!
    www.clubmujeresreales.blogspot.com

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  35. Very artistic and beautiful!

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  36. Such a good idea Melanie to leave us hanging and wonder what the look is like standing up. Bringing forth the creative spirits within just to imagine it all! I see you dancing and flowing around the streets with a big smile on your face and lightening up everyone's day!

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  37. Ahhh, that photo makes me smile. I am so glad you have saved a lovely vintage lovely from the ravages of Halloween costumery.

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  38. As always, you're a treat! How cute you look in your tu-tu cloud. Whatever you wear, you rock it, girl! More power to ya!!

    Much love from England and former Vancouverite,
    Rosemary of www.foreveronthecatwalkoflife.blogspot.com

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  39. great image- I wish I could see this in a fashion mag! Love the tulle (I saw the link on Curtiss' blog where she does a wonderful homage to you and Misfit Sarah) and the black leather and the blue willow tea cup!

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  40. This is the picture that started a tutu revolution. It is a beautiful photo of you and "just because" is the best reason for doing anything. I have also just seen Curtise and Sarah's photos it's really a beautiful thing you've started.
    xoox
    Krista

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  41. ABSolutely FABulous my dear!!! As always you are an inspiration!!!

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  42. This is such a beautiful photo and a wonderful portrait of you! Very glad this seems to have started a tutu wearing frenzy - I love tutus and layers of tulle, adore them! But I do always wonder if they are too girly a thing to be wearing now - you've reclaimed them as woman worthy for me here with this photo and I shall henceforth wear mine with pride!

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  43. This is a great shot, I love it! I agree that every lady needs to wrap her hips in tulle on occasion, and not forget her dreams as a little girl. :-)

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  44. Dear Melanie, I've loved this outfit since I saw it for the first time. Because of Sarah's homage I did a "Tutu and a Teacup" post myself. If you want you can have a look at it on my blog. Thank you for the inspiration.

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  45. totally agree ... I think it's time to make me a ballerina dress, thanks for the inspiration ;) big big hug

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  46. I finally posted my tulle...you my dear were the inspiration!!

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  47. I came back today... to pin this fabulous photo to my muse board. It is still one of my favorite tulle expressions!! You my dear are always SO SO fabulous!!!

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  48. Hi, I stumbled upon your blog by accident from Suzanne Carillo's blog and I just love your style. I have so many of my mother-in-laws old prom and bridesmaids dress that are tulle and I love them. Adore how you styled it - very cool.

    Cherie
    http://www.stylenudge.com

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