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Wedding Guest

Image from TVPStore on Etsy.
    I'm going to a wedding in June and have been toying with the idea of making my outfit. I have been without my sewing machine for the last month and it has made me eager to dive into a complicated project with a high-stakes fabric. The dress code is cocktail. Right now, there are three ideas in the running:
1. The Vintage Look
     I recently purchased the sewing pattern at the top of this post. It's a Vogue pattern that was released in 1971 and designed by Italian designer Alberto Fabiani I love the full sleeves and that voluminous cape-like thing in the back. I wasn't able to find my exact size, this pattern is probably 1-2 sizes too large, so I'll have to take it in a little. (As an aside, I wish Vogue made their vintage designer collaborations available for purchase. Currently, you have to hunt down old versions through Etsy or eBay, and I'd bet they still have them in their archives. Maybe it comes down to a contractual and/or IP issue and they legally cannot? On the other hand, Vogue doesn't even make their current patterns available via pdf so it could be a lack of tech savvy and vision.)
     What I am thinking, with this dress, is to keep the shape the same but make it a short, mini dress, that I wear with towering velvet heels or maybe over-the-knee boots. I love it in white with a bejeweled neckline (although that would likely rule it out to wear to a wedding) but otherwise am picturing a brocade fabric, something with a luxurious texture or maybe metallic threads running throughout.
 2. The Floral Look
     This next option is driven by an amazing fabric, which I've also ordered. It's by Julia Cost, an artist who takes images of her paintings and has them printed on fabric. This is the Pink Bouquet and Lilac fabric. I love the color palette and way the petals look almost look like abstract shapes. 

Image from Julia Allisson Cost. (Once I get the fabric in the mail I'll stick up my own photo).
     The dress I have in mind is the Aura Dress by Papercut Patterns (image below), but I think I'd make the sleeves a little shorter and/or voluminous. I specifically picked the fabric print that I did because it has the light blue solid color at the top. My vision is that I would cut the pieces so the blue is up by my face and on my shoulders, with the flowers sort of blossoming down the dress, so the bottom is a real cacophony of color. My only worry with this one is getting the fit of the top right, so that the shoulders don't slip downward and there is no gaping at the chest, where the cross-over happens. 
Aura Dress by Papercut Patterns
3. The Feather Look
     The last option is based on a photo that a friend sent me, featuring separates from the Italian brand La DoubleJ, which makes really cute patterned clothing. (Also, this friend, when I showed her the vintage Fabiani photo at the top had also randomly saved the same image for sewing inspo!) I think it would be easy enough if I can find a good tank-top sewing pattern to hack and I love the idea of adding (faux) ostrich feathers. 

Image from LaDoubleJ's instagram.
     For the pants, rather than doing a purposefully clashing pattern, I was thinking of playing with texture. I love the pants below and I think a lace fabric or something with a semi-sheer component would be amazing. (Although again, my inspo photo is pretty darn bridal itself.)
Image of Dries van Noten Fall 2022 Ready-to-Wear.
So those are the three front-runners. I'd love to make all three eventually but with this wedding 3 months away I've got to prioritize. So, what say you? Which one floats your boat?

Thanks for stopping by!

3 comments

  1. Love love love #1! Though I struggle to imagine short in combo with the empire waist and cape. If you didn't shorten though, it's probably too formal for cocktail attire. I'd just save this one for your next black tie event and go with #3. :)

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    1. I can't wait to get the pattern in the mail. I do see what you're saying about how shortening might mess with the cape - I'll have to make a tester.

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