My 1950s Dress

Right now I am at school and really busy with the myriad activities of Welcome Week. So I thought I'd post about an older outfit. Throwback Thursday, if you will.

These are pictures I took a while back when I first finished making this 1950s dress. I got the pattern from Sense and Sensibility Patterns. All the patterns from that site are based off of real vintage clothing, so it is genuine and true to period while being doable enough for the modern sewer to replicate. The pattern for this dress is simple and so easily customizable (is that a word?). It's perfect for a beginning sewer who loves vintage fashion, or an experienced sewer who loves easy vintage fashion. Just anyone who loves vintage fashion.

I modernized it a bit with a belt and shoes. I kept the accessories minimal because the dress, with its full skirt and 50s silhouette, is quite a statement in itself (and because I'm not very brave. I'll have to play around with it :o).

It was tons of fun to wear such a classic dress.

This is the way I wore it Easter Sunday, with a cardigan, muslin sash and nude heels (and red lipstick, of course!). This is a very 1950s way to wear it. I felt quite glamorous :o). I also ended up playing a friendly one-on-one game of basketball in the dress after Easter dinner (no heels involved, of course). I must say, if you're going to play basketball, do it with style!

And here is a closeup of the print. It was a simply darling cotton calico, cornflower blue with white polka dots and hints of mint. I'm a sucker for mint!

Dress: Homemade using the Sense and Sensibility Ladies' 1958 Dress Pattern

Brown Belt: Maurices

Brown Flats: Payless

Mint Cardigan: Maurices

Nude Sash: Handmade

Nude Heels: Hand-me-downs from a friend (but originally from Wal-Mart, I believe)

Lace and Chambray

I've been packing away my clothes for school. I leave in two days!!! So I've been wearing my really summery stuff as a sort of last hurrah before I leave it behind in favor of more cozy attire.

Chambray shirts (a fancy word for jean jacket) have been all the rage lately. This was the first year I really tried them, and so far I'm a fan. They dress down some of my very girly pieces, so I can wear them casually without looking overdressed. In a few weeks I'm hoping to post some tips on how to wear incorporate chambray into your wardrobe while still looking sweet and feminine. Stay posted!

Also, can I just say how much I LOVE the fact that topknots are a thing? Not only is this a godsend for my often unruly hair (just tuck it out of the way and you still look polished!), but I get a special satisfaction from knowing that the same style was worn by women over a hundred years ago.

(Gibson Girls)

Lace Tank, Chambray Top, Crinkle Cami, and Maxi Skirt: Maurices

Jewelry: Maurices

Shoes: Payless

Have a lovely week!

Coral and Navy

Hey everyone! My name is Hannah. I've known Maria and Rose for about two decades. It's been tons of crazy fun!

Today I wore one of my favorite outfits and color combinations: a navy tee and coral pants!

When I was working my first job (as a barista at the local coffee shop), there was a girl who worked there (and who is now my friend) who always wore pink pants with her coffee shop-issued uniform tee shirt. While the rest of us were going around in bleach-spotted khakis and stained black slacks, she was little miss sunshine in her pink pants. It was kind of inspiring.

So, when I found this pair in my size on sale at Maurices (where I now work and consequently buy most of my clothes), I thought I'd give them a whirl. I LOVE PINK PANTS! They are perfect for warmer weather and add such a whimsical touch to any wardrobe. All my capris tend to be either denim or khaki, and these pink pants break up the monotony. 

They are cropped pants, so if I roll them up a bit they come about midway between my ankle and knee. They are casual, but dressy. They are flattering, but comfortable.

In a nutshell, They are so fun!

Here is my curly hair in all its glory. (Humidity is all the rage.)

At work today I paired them with a navy camisole and navy tee. Navy blue is an awesome color to pair with bright coral pants. The darker color tones the brighter one down, so you can still have fun but not go crazy :). This is great news for someone on the fashion-shy side, like me. A scarf adds some interest and pulls all the colors together. For work I also accessorized with plain brown flats and navy blue dangling earrings.

When I went to work, it was a bright sunny morning. When I got out (and took these pictures), it had begun to rain. 

So this is what I would have worn to work, if I'd known it was going to rain :o). I just threw a scarf and trench coat over the outfit. Rainy days have a way of making you feel so classy!

Coral Cropped Pants: Maurices

Navy Crinkle Cami: Maurices

Navy Tee: Maurices

Earrings: Guess where? (Maurices)

Flats: Payless

Scarf: Maurices (of course)

Trench Coat: Ruche

Bracelets: Maurices (It's kind of sad, really.)