Did anyone else catch Channel 4's "This Old Thing", hosted by vintage clothes lover and journalist Dawn O'Porter, this summer? The show aimed to get people to try vintage instead of fast fashion, and as part of it she took vintage-phobes into their mother's / grandmother's / aunt's closets and turned dated but sentimental pieces into something new and fresh. I was completely hooked.
My own mother has held onto a few key pieces that I've been lucky to wear through the years - the first was a LBD for a highschool formal when I was about 16 (and still wear today)!
A more recent score was for a very special day a couple of years ago...
My own mother has held onto a few key pieces that I've been lucky to wear through the years - the first was a LBD for a highschool formal when I was about 16 (and still wear today)!
A more recent score was for a very special day a couple of years ago...
...the dress my mother wore on my parents' wedding day - a late 60's lace shift with sunray pleats.
I need to confess that I LOVE weddings. I've been planning mine since I, in diapers, watched on TV as Princess Diana climbed the steps of St. Paul's in her meringue confection.
My actual wedding turned out differently - we eloped on short notice with only four guests. My mom had the foresight to bring her dress, which she found while packing, "just in case". Luckily the only adjustment I needed was a blue velvet ribbon from John Lewis, turned into a belt.
I did toy with making my own, but realised nights spent over my sewing maching was not the kind of stress I needed with the clock ticking. (By the way, hats - or veils - off to the bloggers who have pulled it off, like Selfish Seamstress, Orchids in May, Julia Bobbin, So Zo...I'm sure there are many more. I am in awe.)
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| My veil is by the ultra talented Myra at Twigs and Honey |
You could say, sometimes the perfect frock just needs a little love. (Sorry, couldn't resist :)
Has anyone else out there raided a family member's closet for a vintage piece?
Love the gorgeous dress and the wedding pics, too! The thing I love about vintage dresses is that they're usually constructed so well that they look great for years (actually, for decades).
ReplyDeleteI myself don't plan to get married any time soon, but I have a couple of metres of leftover fabric from my mom's wedding dress. The fabric feels rather special since the dress was sewn by her mom. Better choose wisely what I'll make of it!
PS Thanks for recommending the TV show, it sounds really fascinating.
That's amazing! I'd love to see what you do with it. I'm sure it will be beautiful
DeleteYes I can't believe how well this dress held up all those years on a hanger. Construction skills to,aspire to! Thanks for the lovely comment!
Amazing wedding pics and a very special wedding dress! We have all our wedding dresses in my Grandma's attic - all very different styles. I toyed at the idea of getting my Grandma's cocktail dress into a wedding dress for me, but it was too much work in the end, and not my style for a wedding. To be honest I found the whole dress shopping a nightmare experience. Good on your Mum to think of packing a dress for you!
ReplyDeleteThank you Nat! I just had a nosy around on your old blog and found your wedding photo - your dress is gorgeous!! How nice that they are all kept together in your Grandmother's home. Perhaps you can still turn that cocktail dress into a party dress...! :)
DeleteYour photos are amazing -- and how special to be able to wear that dress! My mom was married in Japan and had a hand-painted silk kimono made for the reception activities. It is very beautiful, and I actually had the chance to wear it when I was learning traditional tea ceremony. She recently called me and asked if I could transform it into something wearable, as no one will be wearing it in its current form. I'm torn -- I love the idea of keeping it intact, but what is the point if it is just wrapped up and stored away? Thank you for sharing your lovely photos!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jean! Hand painted silk - wow!! That sounds beautiful. What a special thing to have. I can totally empathise..but how beautiful would it be as a wrap dress or drapy coat...!!? You definitely have the skills to pull it off!
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ReplyDeleteYou look so pretty (and happy)! And how nice that you were able to wear your mother's dress.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteWow! It looks like perfectly made for you... The Blue ribbon was just perfect. A very beautiful dress for two beautiful brides!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the sweet comment Kay!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a beautiful dress! It looks so lovely on both of you! And it's so special that you were able to wear it! Congratulations- you two are a gorgeous couple!
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