This exquisite pink champagne satin outfit is courtesy of Sarah of Misfits Vintage. It accompanied the divine yellow pantsuit that sent me reeling back into the '70s. I went even further back this time, late '20s/early '30s, inspired by this glamorous handmade beauty circa I-don't-know-when. Can any of you place this piece? The pleated fan sleeves are truly works of art.
When I first saw the skirt I was certain it was too small and only tried half-heartedly to slip it on before resolving to add small expansion panels to the sides. When it came time to do the alteration, I was sad; I simply couldn't mar this wondrous piece. Duty-bound, I went for a second attempt as is.
Voila. This is definitely a wiggle skirt, and although the zipper went up without a fight after all, I couldn't fasten the double hook-and-eye at the waistband, despite my wonderwear's ungodly sausage-casing powers.
Details
- fan-sleeved, rear zip boat-neck satin top in pink champagne with matching skirt featuring side slits, from visionary Sarah
- vintage patent black shoes (I really required some crystal studded strappy silver sandals, but one makes due. Diamond bracelets and earrings, a white faux mink stole, two enormous white ostrich feather fans, and crimson nail polish would have been grand as well.)
- faux pearls
- gold locket with a photo of my grandmother
- sausage casing, from the meat store
- canary yellow jewel, toybox
I spent a couple of hours mending, pressing, and smoothing in the afternoon before the shoot, but the chocolate-coloured dingleballs on the hem of the top are hanging on for dear life. Now that the shoot is over, this pampered lady-wear is hanging safe and secure in my closet, not quite hale enough to brave Vancouver's sidewalks but certainly game for another adventure at The Stork in the months to come. (Stork Club: famous NY nightclub that opened in '29)
On another note -
Connie over at Crafty Home Cottage has immortalized me in her artwork. If you haven't seen her blog, she explodes with positive energy that she shares in her hand-drawn journal images. She is also a musician and all-round cool person.
Connie over at Crafty Home Cottage has immortalized me in her artwork. If you haven't seen her blog, she explodes with positive energy that she shares in her hand-drawn journal images. She is also a musician and all-round cool person.
What are you dreaming about this week, lovelies? I once read that the dream car of surveyed Canadians turned out to be a Jeep. I was mortified. Maybe our dream gowns would be made of goretex too (outdoor rain fabric)? Obviously, there are different interpretations of the word "dream"...
I swear those sleeves and the colour are straight out of the 30s but I would have to turn the garments inside out to know for sure ... what with being curator-at-large of the V&A Museum, it's my duty to KNOW these things! Look at that GORGEOUS smile!!!! I'll be your bar lady for the evening as I'm teetotal and permanently on call at the Stork Club so I'll definitely be right to mix those cocktails on a balance beam in platforms for you. Dreams? More like freakin' night terrors! I'm happy with my environmentally unfriendly V6 Peugeot that runs on rocket fuel, but I do dream that one day I'll wake up and my Penelope Pitstop will have miraculously turned into a manual instead an automatic. Watch out! xoxoxoxox
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.You look fabulous. I agree with Desiree...bang out of the Thirties.
ReplyDeleteI can just see you in a Bugatti. I'm behind in the Lagonda with Captain Hastings.xxxxxx
This post is a dream!!! I nevwr seen an evening dress as perfect as yours, the huge fan sleeves, the champagne shade, the pearls, I imagine you hanging out with Zelda Fitzgerald!It's better to leave Jeeps and rain fabrics to women without fantasy.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend!
Love xxxxxxxx
You look fabulous in that dress! Those sleeves are so wonderfully dramatic. I'd say probably the thirties, I've seen an 80's does 30's dress similar to that one (although the sleeves weren't nearly as impressive as yours!) but I think this dress would have to be older than that.
ReplyDeleteThat last photo is gorgeous, what a stunning smile you have! Connie's drawing is great (and lovely subject too!)
Oh my love, you are AMAZING - I just knew that you and the incredible outfit would be perfect together. PERFECT!
ReplyDeleteYou are incredible, glorious, EXQUISITE! Thank you so much for doing her justice.
I also thought 1930 but don't have any expertise with much pre 1950s. Anyway, who cares really... you are a dream!
Sarah xxx
It's divine and I'd totally join you for cocktails in that beauty.
ReplyDeleteVery 1930s in style but there again wasn't most of the best 1970s fashion nicked from the Art Deco era? Like Desiree I'd have to look at the construction.
Connie's picture is so groovy! x
You look amazing in that dress! It's a gorgeous thing - looks art deco to me. But I am so NOT knowledgeable about such things! I just know gorgeous when I see it! x
ReplyDeleteOh my word, what perfection! Sarah finds such amazing pieces, and then sends them as fabulously special gifts. I was going to say what Vix said - the style is pure 30s but lots of early/mid-70s fashion borrowed from the style of that 1920-30s Art Deco era.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't matter though! It is a stunning outfit, especially the sleeves and that little trim round the hem of the top. You are an elegant, rather naughty lady, off for high jinks and many cocktails at The Stork!
Love the picture of you by Connie. The blog world is full of such talented people. xxxx
Stunningly dreamy! I love the sleeve-and-sausagewear photo especially. Why don't more things have dingle-balls on them, is what I want to know. Especially in peach and chocolate, yum! Bee-yootiful drawing, xoxo
ReplyDeleteYowzer, you are gorgeous! What a stunning dress (looks early 30's to me) and a glorious you. Let's go flout some Prohibition right now : >
ReplyDeleteGorgeous dress. And sexy red lips - so much awesomeness. I wish my posts had as much whimsey as yours do.
ReplyDeleteYou look divine, Melanie, what a lovely gift Sarah chose! I'm not good at dating anything pre-70s or 60s, generally - if there is a zipper sometimes that can be an indication of the garment's era. Regardless, you're a stunner in it, and I hope you get to mosey on down to the club for that martini! :) xo
ReplyDeleteYou've gone all Gatbsy gorgeous! You look divine, and I love the monochrome background in the first few pictures - it complements your hair so nicely.
ReplyDeleteToo bad the skirt is so tight, but I'm sure you'll find a way to make use of the top. And maybe wrap the skirt around your neck as a scarf, or a shawl.
Now, champagne for breakfast?
Definitely 30's era styling. I could see you swanning around the dance floor with Fred Astaire in a swanky roof-top Art Deco Nightclub.
ReplyDeleteSuch a glorious dress and you are doing it justice!!
Only you could wear a dress like this! It's a real beauty and the sleeves are so funky. Sarah did great sending it to you. I bet if you asked Portlanders for their dream car it'd be a Subaru if you asked me it'd be a McLaren, I dream big and expensive:)
ReplyDeleteXxoo
Love this look and this dress. Great shoot. Yes Betsey closed all of her stores, but at 70 she is starring in her own reality TV Show, what a way to reinvent yourself!
ReplyDeleteAli of
www.dressingken.com
I agree with everyone who's saying 30s or 30s-inspired. If the zipper is plastic, it's modern (post-60s).
ReplyDeleteHowever, it's Uh-mazing! You look straight out of "The Great Gatsby"!
Darling, we're in a flutter to see you and the Bugatti! Of course, Roddy too, dear. By all means let me say you look divine. Wherever did you find such a glorious friend? Of course the dress wouldn't fit me at all but one can be jealous, surely.
ReplyDeleteDo give us a call soon. We must catch up.
Sending kisses, Jean
You have the perfect figure for it--so stunning.
ReplyDeleteBecky :)
Glamorous gorgeous glittering graceful! An enthralling look that would have all eyes on you as you wiggle out the door. Blush is such an underrated color... I think it's due for a comeback.
ReplyDeletebeautiful, beautiful dress.
ReplyDeleteIf the zipper is in the back, it's probably not 30's. At that time zippers were in the side seam(under the arm) or snaps were used. But who cares? You look amazing in it
ReplyDeleteREALLY NICE CHAMPAGNE COLOUR!
ReplyDeleteVERY CHIC!! :)
The arms on that dress belong in the hall of fame. Thanks for posting the photos and feel free to drop by me too when you have time.
ReplyDeletelove all your glorious fabulousness, that satin and pearls is a so glamorous and funny to wear!, you look really a 30's film star!
ReplyDeletebesos & satin
GAH!You are even more cool than Tilda Swinton!
ReplyDeletewow! This is the most stunning dress, it harks back to The Great Gatsby, cocktail parties on rolling lawns stretching down to the river and a jazz band playing. Obviously I'm living out my own Fitzgerald fantasties through you! It's a beautiful dress and you look gorgeous. xxx
ReplyDeleteMindblown by your glamour. That dress is a delight as is your narrative. Good to see you back. Looking gorgeous as ever!
ReplyDeleteAhhhh you look incredible in that marvellous 20s dress, as if you've just walked out of a roaring parties. What a find from clever Sarah, worn by you with the most impeccable glamour! I particularly love the smiling photograph: you have such a gorgeous smile Melanie.
ReplyDeleteWell, you can't wear a pink champagne dress in a Jeep. Or even drink pink champagne in one. So does that mean you're not Canadian? Or, more likely, Canadians come in all varieties!
ReplyDeleteHow drop dead gorgeous you look! The dress may not be robust enough for sidewalks, but it is still mega-magnificent. It just needed a woman like you to wear it!
Much love from England,
Rosemary from www.foreveronthecatwalkoflife.blogspot.com
You have reached fashion goddess status!! Such true beauty!!
ReplyDeleteReally Dahling, much too divine. Sausage casing? Are you having a fling with the butcher? How very common.
ReplyDeleteThat. Is. Stunning.
ReplyDeleteWOW! You look divine in that champagne colour. The sleeves are amazing!!
Holy cow, you look amazing.
ReplyDeleteI so love when an outfit inspires a Melanie-story! Those sleeves are dreamy, as is the colour. Sarah sends the best gifts, doesn't she?
ReplyDeleteWoweee! You look fabulous in that gorgeous dress. What a beauty ... that's you and the dress! M x
ReplyDeleteOh, I do love champagne. And you look lovely head to toe in it, my dear. Also your painting looks dreamy in black and white!
ReplyDeleteThis is so Jean Harlow-esque! My, you are stunning! :D Just absolutely gorgeous; And the color is divine. The bold, red lip and perfect fringe..tres chic! I adore this..
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely dress, regardless of provenance!
ReplyDeleteTake a look at details: if seam allowances are finished with serger, it's modern, if by hand, it's old. If finished by zig zag, you'd have to take a look at other details (like Sheila already mentioned) like zipper placement and zipper style. Eighties draw their inspiration from the Thirties.
Here's a similar dress to yours, by Jean Patou:
http://artdecoblog.tumblr.com/post/36054629212/defunctfashion-jean-patou-c-1929-timeless
As a famous maker of the times, those designs would have been much copied.
Glamour girl!
ReplyDeleteHas the real Vogue called yet, Melanie? Because you should totes model. You look good in anything. So glad the skirt cooperated; this dress was meant for you.
ReplyDeleteWOW! This is fantastic! I hope you wear this outfit a lot - with red lips and everything! You look sooooo beautiful, gorgeous!
ReplyDelete