30 July 2009

Crochet Dress

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This is one of those things that has been on my wish list for ages: a thirties era crochet dress. I just love the delicate details of the crocheting, especially around the neckline. It even has the original belt attached! The belt has funny little loops and snaps and to be honest, I haven't quite figured out exactly how it supposed to work. Although the dress is in excellent, perfectly wearable condition it's that awkward mid-calf length of the era that it so difficult to wear. I don't know... maybe with the right heels it would work? Something about that length makes it feel a bit costumey to me. I wish there was a way to shorten it a bit without ruining it, but that seems like a hopeless daydream. I think it'll just hang on my wall and be pretty to look at everyday instead.

28 comments:

Amy P. said...

That dress is beautiful and the light pink colored surprised me!

Hmm suggestions...Low heels, stockings, and a coat might work? I think a really classic look or a really modernized version would make it less costume-y.

Don't give up on wearing it! It's too pretty; it must be seen outside. If people can wear Maxi dresses, it's possible. ;}

Mouse said...

As a knitter & crocheter, I'd have to say that anyone with a small sized crochet hook and some nerves of steel could shorten your beautiful dress for you.

Isabel said...

I love crochet dresses too! That vintage one is lovely.

gracielou said...

I would wear a strongly contrasting and very short slip under it. So you can see some leg under there and mitigate all that heavy length. Maybe sage or violet.

Jessica said...

Gorgeous! I agree on the awkwardness of the length, though. I always feel like I look extra short when something hits my calf...it's just not very flattering on me.

I'm sure you will find a way to pull it off, though. Heels will definitely help!

Crissy said...

I might just have to recreate that! So pretty. Well you could always try to find the end of it and unravel it.. But that's also risky. Maybe you could fold it inwards and pin it up when you decide to wear it.

MOUSEVOX VINTAGE said...

wow! this is gorgeous. great find.

i wouldn't alter it one bit. with your slender frame and long legs, i think you could pull this off effortlessly with heels.

Ms. B @ Millie Deel said...

Such a beautiful dress, and the shell pink color is so perfect! Congrats on owning such a beauty!

xo

Jennifer
http://milliedeel.blogspot.com

Sandra said...

That's a wonderful dress! I have a crochet dress from the 70s from a friend and I find it so delicate... I don't know what to say about the length, I think you're quite tall and it could work with some mid heels. It's too pretty to stay indoors anyway! maybe some photos with it styled would help you make up your mind

Anonymous said...

nice find! cannot wait to see it on

Jessica said...

Oh my good golly...it's gorgeous!!! I've seen a few '30s crochet dresses floating around ebay that I've been tempted to get, but none quite as beautiful as this one!!! The color and the detailing and the cut, oh my! I'd hang it on my wall too!

xx

calivintage said...

all i can say is wow. that dress is so beautiful and delicate and lustworthy! i hope you wear it out at least a little! it would be a waste not to wear it. but i know how you feel with the hemlines...

Darrah said...

NO, you have to wear it! This is such a great piece! I would keep it for fall, and pair it with some brown riding boots. :)

Capricious Traveler said...

What a dream!

BaronessVonVintage said...

What a beauty. I wouldn't alter it one stitch. I find that the length is central to the 30s look: such an amazing piece of wearable history

Lexie said...

i think with the right heel it could work. it seems like you're tall and thin enough to carry off pretty much anything!

Michi said...

Maybe in the fall, you could wear it with calf-high boots. Calf-length dresses never look too weird during the Fall! You could also wear it with high-heeled ankle booties. Lots of layering possibilities for chilly fall weather! =D Can't wait to see outfit posts of this.

Laura McLaws Helms said...

Gorgeous! I actually think that length can be one of the most flattering and chic styles on women- just think of all the women in 30s movies. I would just put on a really high pair of heels with it to slightly modernize and sexify it, and you'll look amazing!

Otherwise, I'll take it off your hands!

Josephine Frances said...

You should definately wear it! If you could shorten it it would be great, but with your slight fram I'm sure it would look stunning anyway with heels. I like the suggestion about the short slip underneath, that seems like a great idea!

Keli said...

wow, the detail of the crochet is amazing. pretty color too :)

Anonymous said...

that dress is absolutely stunning! i know what you mean about that awkward length...it's something only few girls can pull off. i'm sure you're one of them!

The Greedy Seagull said...

What a dress! I love that length, and I think you can pull it off! Maybe you could fold it under and hand sew it up with some matching bias tape, maybe do a running stitch around the very bottom to keep it from puffing up?

reckless daughter said...

I agree - I think this dress is gorgeous! I totally understand about the legnth but I think you can get away with it easily.

But the thought of trying to alter that hurts my brain (and my fingers :)

Sydney said...

Using those tiny safety pins (or thread, if you wanted to commit), you could take a point on the hem, every few inches, and attach it, either on the outside or the inside, to a point higher up on the skirt, just a few inches, so you have a little ruffley, bubbly hem. This might look better in my mind than in real life, but it's worth a try. It's so pretty!

kelsey said...

Pink dresses are such a great piece to have in the wardrobe - and always have a classic look..!

Anonymous said...

I agree that this one's a bit too lovely to hack into. But here's what I would do:
Wear a contrasting, shorter slip (as other commenters have said). And then use a brooch to pin up the hem like the bustle on a wedding dress, but on the front-side area. So the pin is holding the hem up high over one of your legs.
That's the trick I use when I'm too afraid to shorten something, and it seems to work pretty well.

Hannah said...

I own two crocheted dresses, and I carefully belt them shorter by gathering a few inches around the waist. Good luck!

-Hannah
http://quickentheheart.wordpress.com/

Desiree said...

I've seen lots of girls pinning the hems of dresses up rather than hemming. Maybe that would work?