Cryin’ at the Discotech ~ Outfit Fifty Eight

Bow Hair Clip  ~  ??     Aqua and Pink Flower Sprinkle Dress  ~  Ebay   Stag Broach  ~  Acorn and Will    Rose Bracelet  ~  Diva   Lacy Party Socks  ~  Best&Less{I added the lace to the existing ruffle}   Tuxedo T-bar Heels   ~  Payless 

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I like this dress, but unfortunately I think it’s far too 70’s for me to feel comfortable wearing it that much.  I bought it off Ebay and I can’t remember what era I thought it was from, but I probably wouldn’t have got it if I had of realised it was from 1970-something. 

However, I have plans to fix that problem.  The main issue for me is the sleeves.  I just don’t like the loose, bloomer-type sleeve that much and it really doesn’t work for me with this dress.  I also want to change the collar, so I am going to commit that terrible crime that I rant against and chop up vintage.   Mind you, I hardly count the 70s as vintage – it’s more retro to me, which is not really my cup of tea.

Still, what do you think about upcycling/remaking vintage clothes?  In my case, I’m sort of downcycling the dress to look more old fashioned, but I am not sure that’s a good enough excuse!  Particularly as I have been known to get really hoppin’ mad when I see gorgeous 40s or 50s frocks getting chopped off at the same, barely-there length that most retail wear seems to be at these days.  Warning – rant ahead/   I mean, since when is an oversized shirt classified as a dress?  Why would you bother to cut the dress up to look like something modern and off the racks?  What’s the point?  Is it just so that you can say that you wear vintage?  How does that even count when the only thing left that looks even remotely vintage any more is the fabric and even that’s in tatters??   *sigh*  /end rant….

I guess the reason I feel so strongly about this is that hems don’t actually need to be cut to be taken up, and all these once-gorgeous, “remade” dresses will only get worn for as long as vintage is in fashion, then tossed out in the rubbish heap.  Whereas if they were left mostly intact, they could probably get passed onto someone who doesn’t care what’s in fashion but just wants to wear a pretty, well-made frock.  

But all that said, I will still make over the sleeves on my dress, because hopefully I’ll end up wearing it more often then what I have been!  Especially as I do like the bright, cheery aqua and pink colours of the fabric.  I think it makes it a lovely spring/Easter dress ~ don’t you?  Also, yay or nay to making over vintage?  Feel free to tell me that I am completely wrong and there is nothing better than modernized vintage; I’ll be happy to agree to disagree.  ; )

xox,

bonita