This dress here is one of the "bonus projects" in Vogue's New Book for Better Sewing - not one of the core fourteen. But VoNBBS devotes a whole four pages to the making of it, so I thought I would include it in my project.It's a variation of the full, gathered skirt, which I made in taffeta.
Pattern no. 7375 gives two very wearables - this time, a backless halter dress, an indispensable in any warm-weather wardrobe. Vogue chose a 39" silk with a two-way print because it's soft enough for pleasant fullness, opaque enough so you're decent without a bra, and because a pretty print is so much a part of the resort scene. - VoNBBS
Ah yes! The "resort scene," where I spend so much of my time. (Also, why does VoNBBS seem to think that "wearable" and "indispensable" are nouns? Hmph.)
The fabric is a silk/cotton blend from Mood, which I lined with cotton batiste.
So, techniques-wise, I made this a lot easier on myself than the taffeta skirt. I used minimal tailor's tacks, since I already had an idea of the pattern. I did the hem and gathering by machine. I don't think I did any hand basting - yay! It just wasn't necessary with this fabric. But this dress was interesting in its construction. It has two darts at the top of each halter piece - strange, since otherwise it is so unstructured.
Here it is in all its backless glory:
Don't laugh at me, but I don't think I would wear this out of the apartment. Yes, apparently I will post pictures of it on the internet, but I will not wear it outside. Don't worry, the irony is not lost on me. I wonder if it would it be defeating the purpose to wear it with a jacket. Can't you just see it with a little velveteen jacket? (Gawd, I'm starting to sound like VoNBBS!)I'm also contemplating removing the halter portion and just making it a skirt. The design is, well . . . not very well thought-out in my opinion. A gathered, blouson-style backless halter? That's just asking for a wardrobe malfunction! Unless I stand up stick straight (which, I know, I should anyway), the sides of the front begin to gape.
It's kind of hard to believe this pattern is from 1952, isn't it? It just seems a little racy to me. (Yes, I know I sound like a prude. I just think perhaps the time for backless dresses in my life has passed.)
Oh, but on the bright side. Behold my new shoes!
But why not wear it? I think it's adorable!
ReplyDeleteI love that fabric! It's gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI can see what you mean about a possible wardrobe malfunction... but you could always try a little bit of strategically placed tape? Otherwise, it would be so cute as a skirt!
love the shoes!
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you on the dress...I think I would feel so uncomfortable in public in that. I can't quite picture it either -- unless the 50s resort scene included flashing your boobs at everyone all the time!
It's very pretty, but it's too racey for me as well. If you want to wear it, the tape would be a good choice like Rachel suggested. For me personally, I don't like to go braless, for one reason, I need the support; so I don't know what the options are; I am surrprised, as you, that they made this totally backless back then. Maybe they were trying to move the boundaries and throw it out there and see what would happen with it. I may have worn this when I was younger; but I, too, am passed that magical age. I don't think it would look good on me now.
ReplyDeleteForgot to mention that I love the shoes.
ReplyDeleteYou KNOW that in Hollywood all the starlets have special tape and adhesive cups to eliminate wardrobe malfunctions and give a girl support...wonder where we mere mortals can buy them? LOL!
ReplyDeleteI can understand your hesitance to wear it out without "assistance."
And the shoes are very sweet. Who are they made by?
What a great dress! The fabric is perfect for the style.
ReplyDeleteIt would look cute with a sweater but on a hot day it might so nice just as it is.
Perhaps it was meant to be worn with a jacket? I saw an ad in an old 40s magazine for some crazy "blouses" that are almost like dickies and were meant to be covered up with a little jacket. That was more business attire-y than a halter dress though.
ReplyDeleteWhata' fabulous dress! Love it-no reason not to wear this little number out!
ReplyDeleteI can understand why you would hesitate to wear it as is (I know my "girls" would feel a little under-supported and over-exposed), but it's such a cute dress, I think you should just grab a little cardigan and then wear it all the time!
ReplyDeleteThe dress is very cute but I wouldn't wear it out either if something might happen. :0 Love the shoes.
ReplyDeleteTop Stick double stick tape... This dress is too beautiful NOT to wear out.
ReplyDeleteThis is so cute. You can take advantage of modern technology (double sided tape) if you're afraid of a wardrobe malfunction. This is way to cute to dissect for a skirt.
ReplyDeleteVery cute! And I love the polka dot material.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the suggestions, everyone! Double stick tape might be the way to go.
ReplyDeleteTrudy, the shoes are made by Simple. Sarai turned me on to them. They're on sale for $15 on the simple website right now! Sizes in the red very limited, however.
http://www.simpleshoes.com/clearancedetails.aspx?g=w&productid=9448&model=Entire-Silk
Whether you wear it or not, it is a very pretty dress! The halter looks cute! I always look at halter tops and think they look so cute, but I wouldn't like wearing them because I would find the necessary bra uncomfortable. I can relate to your conumdrum!!
ReplyDeleteI JUST FOUND YOUR BLOG AND IT'S EXCELLENT! Can't wait to check in again!
ReplyDeleteLove the shoes and LOVE the dress! For what it's worth, I think you look absolutely fantastic and I think you should defitely wear it outside! It would be a shame not to! But, honestly I do understand about being uncomfortable. I am unfortunately a little too well endowed in the chest area, and I couldn't even consider leaving the house without a bra, no matter what the outfit. But for my Birthday this year, I made myself a 50's halter dress, and I was determined to wear it! I solved the problem by buying a backless halter bra. It was surprisingly comfortable, and meant that I didn't have to worry bout anything slipping out of place. Also, it was a convertible bra, which meant I could use it as a normal bra the rest of the time and not waste my money on a bra for just one dress. You can see a photo of the dress I made here if you're interested:
ReplyDeletehttp://francesbaker.blogspot.com/2009/01/birthday-dress.html
The dress looks great on you! I wonder if you could add some clear elastic to the sides, just enough to gather/stabilize them so they wouldn't move too much when you move. Re support, I wonder if it was meant to be worn with what I think they used to call a "long-line bra," which went down to your waist in front, but could be backless and/or strapless.
ReplyDeleteIt's a very cute dress, but I know what you mean about the gaping on halter styles! I made a wrap halter dress using instructions for drafting a halter top from a 1950s booklet last summer. It had a unique feature that allowed for the addition of elastic along the top edges along the sides. It really has helped keep things in place so there are no wardrobe malfunctions. ;)
ReplyDeleteI think a cute little cardigan or bolero jacket would do wonders at making this more wearable and comfortable for you. I just adore the fabric you chose, btw--it's so, so cute! I'm assuming you source most of your fabrics from the NY garment district? I'm so envious! hehe!
Thanks, Veronica! Keep comin' back!
ReplyDeleteFrances, love the dress you made and your blog.
Jen, the book specifically mentions wearing it braless! Isn't that funny?
You know, it's not the lack of a bra that bothers me so much, it's more exposing my entire back! It makes one feel quite naked! Plus, well, I'm not loving how my back looks naked. Blerg. :)
I'm going to try it with some cardigans--perhaps that calls for another post!
Oh, and thanks, Casey and Jen, for the elastic idea. That would have helped a lot here.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, Casey, I do my shopping in the garment district. I am a lucky, lucky lady!
I think you could use those silicone stick bras (no tape needed) and then double sided tape to keep the dress in place. It looks gorgeous on you (yes even backless!) but if you feel a bit exposed you could wear it with a cardigan or as a swim suit cover or just as a skirt (but I really love the halter on you!).
ReplyDeleteLadies, I just want you all to know that I'm wearing the dress to work today with a little short-sleeved red jacket over it. It looks fab, if I do say so myself. Pics to come!
ReplyDeleteI just discovered your blog, and catching up on your adventures in vintage fashion has made my day -- especially this post, because about a half hour ago I posted a pic of myself in a self-sewn (not very successful) dress on my blog while noting "I wouldn't answer the door in this." Definitely a laugh-at-myself moment.
ReplyDelete