Monday, July 4, 2011

The Secret Lives of Dresses


Day to day I normally go without makeup, but an ensemble like this seemed to beg for lipstick. I’ve come to love the classic, feminine looks of the 1950s. This isn’t to say I condone the usage of shoulder pads or that I believe every woman should dress so poignantly feminine, but I myself feel at home in dresses like this one. 



When this dress came in the mail, I opened the package gingerly, afraid the fabric or stitching would be fragile. To my surprise, this is the most sturdy dress I have ever owned. I thought surely after sixty years of life, this dress would have withered somewhat, but it’s flawless. It’s impressive how conscientious the craftsmanship was at that time. 



Recently I finished reading a novel titled The Secret Lives of Dresses by Erin McKean. That novel has me imagining the woman who once wore this dress. I think she would have been young and exuberant, that she would have liked making tea and socializing and shopping. Maybe she was in love. And by the tiny dot of thinning fabric at the right of the collar, I know she must have loved wearing broaches, just as I do.
This is why I love shopping vintage. It’s sharing a special treasure, a secret with someone you will never meet.




Outfit Details:

Earrings//vintage 
Dress//Kay Juniors (1950s) via Etsy
Shoes//Jeffrey Campbell





7 comments:

  1. What pretty things you have going on here at your blog!
    I love, love, love this dress.
    Lovely to meet you, new friend ;)

    stacie @
    Pretty Birdie Brown

    ReplyDelete
  2. thank you, miss stacie! it's good to meet you too ^_^

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  3. you know since you are my girlfriend and all...i kinda have the right to say on your blog that you are absolutely beautiful....i am glad you are enjoying this so much, just keep having fun and do whatever pleases you... good love!!! i love you!!!

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  4. I love you too, sweetness! You're amazazing :)

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  5. Rachel have you heard of Red Velvet Art? I read Elsie's blog often.. thought you might enjoy http://redvelvetshop.myshopify.com/ and http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/

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  6. eeep! Nicole, I think I'm in love with the Red Velvet Shop. Thanks for the recommendation!

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I do my best to respond to all comments, but I'm pretty scatterbrained. So if I skip over you, it's most surely unintentional.
Thank you for your sweet words!
<3