There are several next steps on this prom dress endeavor: now that my patterns have arrived, I'm planning to mock-up the bodice (maybe even make a wearable muslin? Idk, it's hard to think of a cute spring dress when it's 30 degrees outside ...). I also need to actually choose and order my silk ... but that's an agonizing decision for another day! For now, it's time to have fun - with Pinterest!
Confession time - I have a slight Pinterest problem. Last time I checked, I'd pinned over 2,000 images ... and about 1,000 of them are on one generic board called "Gorgeousness". Basically, I need a better way of organizing all of the beautiful dresses and old clothing images that I find, because scrolling through 1,000 pins to find that one dress that you saw once and really loved but don't quite remember is a real pain.
I have, however, been a bit better about organizing pins for specific projects. My board for last year's prom dress was full of pretty blue 50s dresses, but my board for this year has been a little more nebulous because, like I said, I didn't really know what I wanted for a while (and, if we're being totally honest, I'm still not sure even now).
I have, however, been pinning the dresses that caught my eye, so I figured today I'd share a few of my favorites and what I like and dislike about each - because really, what's better than looking at lots of pretty dresses?*
*Nothing. The answer is nothing. Except maybe chocolate.
1.
Okay, first one up is this adorable 1950s dress. Like a lot of great vintage dresses, there isn't anything super eye-catching at first - it's the little details that really make this dress stand out. I just love the ruching and clever seamlines of the bodice - they turn an otherwise simple bodice design into something subtly stunning. Also, love the neckline and sleeves - they kind of remind me of my prom dress last year. Oh, and the color is just gorgeous - like a perfect pink peony!
Ooh, and can we take a moment to appreciate the floaty overlay on the skirt? I can just imagine this dress twirling and flouncing around at a party or on the dance floor. In fact, now that I think about it, it reminds me of one of my all-time favorite film costumes - this gorgeous number from
White Christmas:
Every time I watch White Christmas I fall in love with this dress, not to mention the dance number. Someone remind me why we don't dance like this anymore ...?
2.
Moving on to another Pinterest find, this one is a bit like the full-length version of the one above. I do think this is a very pretty dress (even though the bodice isn't as charmingly detailed as the above), but for my purposes it's a little more of a what-not-to-do - I'm really not in love with how the sheer overlay works on a long dress, and since length was one of
my 4 nonnegotiables, as much as I enjoy the idea of floaty flounciness, I don't think this is the direction to take.
3.
Okay, so, I'll be the first to admit that this next dress looks a little early 2000s Barbie at the Prom at first - but trust me, it's worth a second glance. Sure, the rhinestones are a bit tacky and the neckline is weird and the skirt needs a good steam, but you must admit that the color is stunning. I don't think I have the guts (or complexion) to go full-on fuschia, but it's pretty to look at all the same.
The other thing that I just love about this dress is the drape of the skirt - isn't it just so perfect? (Or, at least, it would be sans-wrinkles). Looking closely at the waist seam, it doesn't look like pleats - I may be wrong, but I'm really tempted to say that it's a circle skirt ... here's hoping! 😊
4.
This next one is closer to the first two, with its 50s shape and flouncy skirt and pretty peony color. This is another great example of how subtle details can really make a dress stand out - just look at that lace overlay, with the beautiful center chevron. For a while I toyed with the idea of lace on my dress, but I couldn't figure out a way to do it that wouldn't be either majorly expensive or super tacky ... ah well, that dream will just have to wait!
5.
Taking a break from our pretty pinks, this classy red number is absolutely stunning. The color is beautiful and bold - it reminds me of garnet, or maybe even blood. I bet it would be just incredible on someone with dark hair and sharp features (Scarlett O'Hara, maybe? 😄), but I think I'd get overshadowed!
I'm also just in love with this dress from a structural standpoint - from the perfect neckline to the elegant bow to the flawless silhouette, this dress is the definition of sharp. I really wish I could find a back view to see what was up with that cool overskirt. Is it a separate piece? I think so - at least, you can see corners along the hem. It's a great cross between the two iconic skirt types of the 50s, pencil and full, while still bringing a glamour distinctly its own. When I was first brainstorming I looked at a few vintage patterns with skirts like this, and briefly considered the idea, but that might be a little bit too out there for QVHS!
6.
This next-to-last dress made an appearance in my last post, because I'm giving it credit for my chosen color scheme. These two shades aren't my exact favorite, but I love the idea of a blushing pink paired with a deep burgundy or merlot. The pink lightens the burgundy, the burgundy tempers the pink - it's a perfect balance between glowing youth and elegant sophistication. To be honest, the whole idea of shades and color families has always really intrigued me (maybe because my closet is exclusively shades of blue?). Almost like the subtle details I pointed out above, using two close colors provides just enough contrast to be interesting without being obnoxious. It's really very classy. 😊
(While we're still on this dress, I'd also like to point out the bold pairing of what I think are silk and velvet - I wouldn't have gone for it, but actually seeing it, I think it works surprisingly well!)
7.
Our last dress for today breaks the trend of pink - but it makes the cut because it's one of my all-time favorites, regardless of color. Sure, there's nothing wrong with an elegant champagne, but when it comes to ranking as a favorite, this one's all about the silhouette. From the smooth sweetheart bodice to the gathered straps that somehow magically lie flat, the perfectly draped skirt to the clever sash that gives the illusion of an even thinner waist, this dress is, in my book, structural perfection.
Sure, it's not exactly what I'm going for with my prom look - I'm not sure if I'm really ready to rock the sash quite yet! - but it's been a major influence on the shape I'm trying to emulate. If my prom dress ends up even half as effortlessly stately and elegant as this gown, I'll be happy!
~ Emma
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