The Dress - Costume College 2009

[mmcnealy]

After thinking about it, I'm back to my original idea of a sleek, fitted, princess line dress, either off the shoulder or very close to it for my Costume College ball gown. I want sleek! I want a waist!

Here are several gowns that I'm just in love with, I'm thinking of combining the lines in the two, the skirt from the one on the left (Elizabeth Drexel, 1905) and the surplice bodice from the center one (Suzanne Hudelo about 1899-1900). The one on the right (Ms. Unknown) is a colored photo that I think shows the design of the waist of the orange dress a bit better. Click on the pictures to see them larger.



This is the style that my SIL had talked me into. It just doesn't have quite the same appeal.



The fabric is this shimmery shot sunset orange silk gauze. The pale yellow silk on the left corner would be the underlining for it.

Comments

[sbuchler.livejournal.com]

Love the fabric!! I'm partial to both styles...but they are _very_ different! :-)

[merastra.livejournal.com]

I like the first one best. I love how it lengthens the body and looks all swirly in spite of the fitted bodice. I also love the effect of shading from light colored on top to dark on the bottom. Though gosh, that's a LOT of skin. :-)

The handkerchief one is fine but I agree that the top left orange one would probably look better on you.

[ornerie.livejournal.com]

the SIL one is pretty but would make you look a bit dumpy, I think. the other style is more graceful and classy as hell :)

[frualeydis.livejournal.com]

You will look lovely in that dress, I really look forward to seeing it.

/Eva

[fearga.livejournal.com]

ohhh....top row, right...dayam, but that's a stunning dress...and you have the curves to pull it off. And the color of the fabric is a particular favorite of mine....:D

[mmcnealy.livejournal.com]

I love that dark navy blue too, and I've got navy silk just the right shade... but I love the orange more!

[fearga.livejournal.com]

Oh, I think I wasn't clear...yes, the navy is lovely, but I love orange to distraction, and I think the navy one would be stunning in the orange fabric!

[marymont.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you're coming to CoCo. I miss you. We aren't likely to attend the Ball ($$ and he doesn't dance) but we're definitely doing the College.

[ladyaneira.livejournal.com]

Oooh, the ones on the top row are the coolest! I'd be worried about being able to corset my waist that small, though, just from a comfort standpoint.

[mmcnealy.livejournal.com]

I won't be going that small, just a couple of inches. That sort of small waist takes years of training and I'm not up for that!

[peacockdress.livejournal.com]

You'll be fine, it's surprising how much difference a couple of inches makes. I'm losing three and it looks like ten.

[gailsedotes.livejournal.com]

second one has that sash waist of rushed fabric that will make you look fat. makes everyone look fat (makes her look fat). what you could do is combine the stylestop with the fitted tight waist on top of the handkerchief skirt would be interesting...

[melaniesuzanne.livejournal.com]

Curves, ahoy! I love the top left dress.

[hsifeng.livejournal.com]

I think that the color and the general style you decided on are terrific! I agree that the version your SIL liked would not have been as flattering as the type you are making - I can't wait to see the results!

Pink with Red o'er the shoulder trim

[friendlytornado.livejournal.com]

Berry, I agree with everyone else, your first instincts are right-on. Love the color of fabric you have and I absolutely ADORE the middle pic with the red trim over one shoulder - so sweet. (But you know I'm a sucker for red, and over-one-shoulder styles...) Can't wait to see finished pics!

[silverstah.livejournal.com]

Nope, YOU are absolutely right. You need to make the first style. Although the one that your SIL talked you into is pretty, and would look lovely, the first style is WOWZA and will look astonishing on you. :)

[peacockdress.livejournal.com]

Agreed, the first style is much better. And we'll match! :) I love the middle one particularly, I think the contrast sash would be even more slimming and will look striking from across the room! And that fabric is stunning!