A Jewel of a Dress...

This dress was one of my first fit & flare dresses.  I bought it for my Christmas dress three years ago. I loved it's vintage influence, it's jewel tone colour, and how easily it's dressed up or down.  And yet it sits in the back of my closet (so-to-speak) except at Christmas-time.  I decided it was time to pull it out and write a little post about it, because it deserved to get some attention. And it perfectly matched a belt some co-workers picked up for me on a recent business trip, which I've been anxious to wear! 

 custom dress: etsy

belt: gift

shoes: ruche

I'm definitely going to have to start wearing this dress on a more regular, casual basis... maybe paired with polka-dot tights and a cardigan! Also, is it just me, or after getting used to vintage/vintage-style dresses, does anything above the knee seem "short"?? 

birthday outfit...

This is what I wore on my birthday, to my family supper.  The dress was a gift from my parents, and I just had to wear it right away.  Coincidentally, it was complimented perfectly by a vintage scarf I recently picked up as well! 

 

It's rare that I find a vintage dress that I love that's actually in my size.  Most vintage clothing tends to be rather small, so when I spotted this fun novelty print dress, with my measurements, I immediately added it to my birthday wishlist.  Bless my mother, she went online and snatched it up right away.  And because of this being so out of character for her, I actually thought someone else bought it and was so disappointed.  So today's surprise birthday gift was pretty exciting!

 

The print is so fun! And so many variations of blues, grays and greens in it... It'll be a fun item to style different ways.  Although I was pretty impressed with my styling today, and I think it might be hard to beat. Especially with the freshly red hair. 

     dress: gift, vintage (etsy)
     belt: forever 21
     scarf: thrifted ($2!!)
     shoes: chelsea crew via modcloth
     tights & petticoat: american apparel

vintage mint and cognac...

 

sometimes you just get lucky with some seriously amazing finds and deals. and sometimes, those finds just go perfectly together.  such was the case with this outfit (in my opinion).   at first glance, i thought this dress was a night shirt.  then i noticed a picture of it paired with a belt, and it was called a 'secretary's dress'... so i thought, that can't be a night shirt.  and it looked so adorable.  i took a gamble and ordered it, and i'm so glad i did.  it's a thick, heavy fabric. definitely not a night shirt! and i got so many compliments on it today! it's very office appropriate, and i always love adding more office-attire to my wardrobe. 

 i didn't think i'd pair the hat and dress together.  when i ordered them, that wasn't my intention at all. i thought i'd mix the dress with chocolate brown (which i like to call a mint chocolate combo, because everything food related just sounds more fun), or black.  but when i got them in the mail, i tried them both on right away, together, because i was in a rush to pack as we were leaving for the weekend, and i just wanted to make sure they both fit and looked ok.  lo and behold, i loved them together.

 

even better? they go perfectly with my thrifted Saks Fifth Avenue purse that i scored on vacation! this may be on of my favourite outfits yet.  

 

     dress, hat: Confectionery Vintage
     shoes: Aldo
     belt: from another dress
     purse: Saks, thrifted