Nat

Along with my previously mentioned jeans, I also got a linen dress in the same trip. There aren't any tags anywhere, which makes me think maybe this is a handmade dress that got passed along to the "vintage" clothing store in town. (Read: a store that used to only sell true vintage but now is a mix of new and used items). It's a white linen dress that falls somewhere between nightgown and old-timey chemise; there are lace insertions in the skirt as well as the sleeves, which are elasticated for a poofy, gathered look.

I meant to take pictures, but finding a presentable place in my house to take them proved to be too big a task. But it's basically just a generic peasant-style dress that was popular a few years ago but seems to be falling out of fashion now.

Anyways. It's a nice dress. In general I like it. But it's also in need of some improvement, largely revolving around elastic that has given up any pretense of trying to stretch. Other edits are merely a thing of personal taste; I have kind of square shoulders and puff sleeves always make me feel ridiculous. And then since I'm already working on the dress anyways, why not turn it into a Proper Project?

Already done:

• Removed the bottom piece of fabric on the sleeves so they end with a lace edging. No more uncomfortable elastic, plus the straight sleeves are more suited to my personal style.
• No more waist elastic! In the fitting room I actually got momentarily stuck in the dress because the elastic didn't stretch enough going over my head despite fitting my waist fine

Before I can do much else I have to make the big decision: dress or coordinated set? If I remove the waist seam and turn it into a skirt and a crop top it might offer more variety for styling. That would also let me separate the two so I can dye the top (currently almost transparent) while leaving the color of the bottom as-is so I can use it as an underskirt.

There are also a few style decisions to make. I have some lace and ribbon that I could use to make it resemble a Victorian chemise, or I could use the thread I have from decorating my denim jacket to add a pop of color with embroidery. It really depends on if I want to wear the dress/set as its own thing or as a foundational garment beneath... well, clothes I don't have yet.

Either way, though, I plan on replacing the elastic in the neckline with a thin ribbon so that it doesn't feel as bulky.