Friday, May 16, 2014

Dream Dress


Aren't you getting dizzy from reading about all the dresses this month? Because I am. Well, as they said in a famous Russian cartoon - only two dresses to go. Or maybe three. :)

This dress came to me literally from my dreams. It is exactly what I hoped to find at the thrift or consignment stores while browsing this Spring, but alas - no such luck. When I saw it on Lane Bryant's web site, I thought it was a little expensive, and because it was an online exclusive, I did not have a chance to try it on and decide. So I fell in love but let the dress slip through my fingers - it was gone from the web pretty quick! I went back later to check it a couple of times, but it wasn't there. I finally decided that if it made a return for any crazy reason, I was not going think for too long, I would just buy it. At that point, I saw so many dresses and did not see anything like this one. Go figure. It's not like I was looking for something out of this world! Just a pretty, light, feminine floral dress which feels like Spring! Was it too much to wish for?

Photo credit: Lane Bryant

 A few weeks later, after I had decided that I was gonna buy it no matter what the price, the dress luckily appeared again on the web ... but only in one size! Crazy, yes? Totally dude. I think the palms of my hands got sweaty and shaky when I finally saw the dress. I grabbed it as fast I could, before it slipped through my sweaty fingers again. But I did not completely loose my mind, and remembered to use a $25 off coupon I'd received in a catalog (practically a new pair of shoes - not a bad discount). Next came the waiting for my dream dress arrive... Waiting eagerly! Again, luck was with me and it arrived a couple of days early. It was way more beautiful than my dream, and definitely more beautiful than the photo on the web. If only it would fit me.  I put the dress on... Miracle! The only size which was offered ... fit me perfectly! I was dancing and giggling!  
  

The dress has spaghetti straps, and I am wearing it with my old Lane Bryant shrug to help me to solve the whole strapless bra dilemma. I probably don't do it right, but they just look so wonky on my body - I burst out laughing when I try them on. How do you wear strapless or spaghetti strap clothing?

This dress brought back some childhood memories to me... I remember watching this popular Russian romantic comedy, and one of the female characters seemed so impossibly beautiful when she appeared in a white dress of similar design!

Vacation at One's Own Expense ("Отпуск за свой счет"), USSR, 1982 

Take a quick look at the way this gorgeous dress moves (just move to the 26:25 and watch for 25 seconds)


Obviously, my dress is a bit different, but it's in the same spirit though and reminds me a lot of the early 1980s fashion which I remember admiring as a little girl (I remember for instance that leather clogs with metal nails and wooden platforms were very popular, and my cousin and I were crazy about them - we knew all the pretty fashionistas, young women in our little town, who wore them! We were between the age 7 and 10 at the time!). 

I wore the dress here with my usual green jewelry plus a set of filigree and finift (enamel) Russian jewelry which I bought from a wonderful Russian lady a few years ago while doing art shows. I thought that I also would show you the details of my purse this time - one of a few green purses and one of a few B Makowsky purses I own. I really like the quality and designs of this brand - it's always soft leather and great quality, thoughtful hardware. They are not the most expensive lady's purses, but still pricey for my preferences, and I only buy them on a good sale at TJ MAXX.



Do you think this could be the inspiration for my dress?





Dress and shrug - Lane Bryant (similar dress in sizes US 14-26 still available here). Sandals - Born (via Nordstrom Rack). Purse - B Makowsky (via TJ MAXX, old). Jewelry - variety, including Russian traditional hand painted enamel earrings + necklace set 

What about you? Do you have a story of a dream dress in your wardrobe? :)

Linking up with Patti's Visible Monday!

32 comments:

  1. Natalia, I love these types of shopping stories. The dress was meant to be yours, and for obvious reasons...you look stunning. You know what colors work for you. Very, very flattering!

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    1. Glenda, thank you for such a lovely comment! What a great start on Saturday morning! xxxxx

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  2. It's a beautiful dress! I'm glad you bought it -- the style and colors look gorgeous on you. And o course, the necklace and earrings complement the dress perfectly.
    These days, I'm looking for a little white dress :) I can't quite explain why, just a feeling that I should own one :)
    Have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. Thank you, Oksana!!

      Go with your feeling! That's all we need to know - it'll find you, your dream dress! :) xxx

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  3. This is such a gorgeous dress! I love the style and the colours and the way the pattern is like a watercolour silk scarf. I usually wear spaghetti strap dresses with a little shrug too. I have a couple of them that have build in bras which really helps but I just feel so bare without the shrug. I love all your accessories and I can see why you love that purse!

    I have some dress inspirations like your Russian show white dress. I fell in love with dresses that looked good dancing, definitely disco dresses and also dresses from West Side Story and the one Sandy/Olivia Newton John wore to the prom in Grease.

    You look beautiful as always, but I think especially beautiful in your dream dress.
    xoxo

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    1. Tank you so much, Shawna! I too feel naked with bare shoulders... thought I love the look! xxx

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  4. definitely a dream dress!
    you look like the flower fairy responsible for iris :-)
    your enamel jewelry is very beautiful, so lovely oldfashioned and real craftsmanship. and green! that the dress finally found its way to you was surely written in palm leaf library. gorgeous!
    spaghetti or other thin straps: strapless bra does´t work with more then a B-cup. so i go with visible bra straps, in a similar or contrasting color, like the mood strikes. or what i have on hand..... i´m happy when i find bras with some lace or embroidery on the straps. but i´m in europe - i can imagine that it is rather uncommon in america to go with showing a little bit of underwear. (rolls eyes)
    when i dream about a dress i sew it - the only problem can be to find the dream fabric ;-)
    xxxx

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    1. You are the proof that we build our dreams... sometimes with our own hands. :) Thank you, Beate!

      I think it basically became acceptable to shoe underwear these days - certainly bra straps are just fine to show. I thought of it too... xxx

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  5. It must have been a thrilling moment to get 'your dress'! it was clearly meant to be! it looks stunning on you and the colours are wonderful - some dresses really do evoke a mood/feeling or an affinity with dresses we have seen in the past, I agree!
    I don't mind showing my bra but I am not fond of strapless bras, so uncomfortable! I haven't worn one in years, it would be a battle to get the thing on (I can't go bra-less, no,no,no!) x x x

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    1. There is magic to it, true! :)

      I am like you - cannot have no bra at all, and can't wear strapless bras. I guess showing some straps is the way to go for us then. :) xxx

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  6. Now that is indeed a truly lovely dress, and it's so obvious that you love wearing it and feel wonderful - it shows in your face! The colours are gorgeous. I do the same as Beate, wear a normal bra with the straps showing, choosing a pretty colour. I think strapless bras are a nightmare if you have big boobs, and I'm not very keen on those see-through plastic bra straps either. If you could find a purple or lilac bra, that would look lovely, or go for a contrast, as Beate says.
    I have various dresses that remind me of a certain time, films, TV shows, characters, pop stars from the past, etc - they just have a certain feel to them, don't they? I like that! I have a Studio 54 dress, a Saturday Night Fever dress, a Margot Leadbetter dress (character in a 1970s British sitcom), a Sound of Music dress - you get the idea! xxxxx

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    1. Yeah, I don't like those clear plastic straps either. I guess I need to experiment with bras a little. What I own just doesn't seem to suit this type of dress. :)

      Love Margot! One of favorite shows ever. :) You have a lot of outfits in her spirit I think. xxx

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  7. Owning that beautiful dress was obviously meant to be! It looks absolutely gorgeous, floaty and feminine.I bet you couldn't wait to get your hands on that package.
    I loved those studded clogs, very Olivia Newton John in Grease when she had a makeover and went all bad ass. My Mum bought me the Spandex pants but I had to wait until I was old enough to afford the shoes.
    I hate bras but luckily am blessed with a small chest so rarely bother. xxxx

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    1. Ohhh I'd like to see you in studded clogs and Spandex pants, Vix! I bet you were stunning. :) xxx

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  8. I can understand your excitement about this dress. It is so beautiful, such summery design and fantastic print! Seems like the dress meant to be yours after all.

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    1. First time I have a dress like this I believe. :) xx

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  9. You in this dress are the same colors of our beloved Pacific Northwest. I can see why you had to have this and only one left in your size, so meant to be. Curtise once did a post on how outfits have names, like sexy librarian, etc... I totally love how outfits can transform us or take us to another time and place, yes our clothes can be magic! I would say you are the goddess in green, such a fresh beautiful look on you!
    Enjoy your Sunday darling
    Xxxxxoooo

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    1. Oh such wonderful compliments, thank you so much! :) I'd love to read that post of Curtise some day. :) xxx

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  10. Hello Natalia!
    Tks for you comment!
    Ah this dress was for you that's for sure! the style, the colors it's so wonderful
    One feels so fantastic in the right clothes, you exude joy and confidence!

    See you soon

    Big hugs

    Arianexo

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    1. Thank you so much, Ariane! Hugs to you too, dear! xxx

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  11. This outfit IS dreamy! Looks beautiful on you and you've styled it perfectly!

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  12. It's your dream dress for sure, Natalia - and yes the actress is gorgeous in her version as well! Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday, xo.

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  13. Wow, wow, wow, you look a million dollars Natalia!!!

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    1. Only a million? :))) Just kidding. Thank you so much, my dear! xxx

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  14. Pretty pretty dress. Love it. Looks great on you, and I love the green as it looks lovely with your red hair as well
    Please drop by , from VM link up
    Jess
    http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

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    1. Thank you so much, Jess! You have a wonderful style - and your hair is simply gorgeous!! xxx

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  15. Nothing feels as satisfying as the acquisition of a little object of desire, and to have it fulfill its purpose so perfectly! I'm so happy that it finally became part of your wardrobe... beautiful on you. Just as lovely as you though it would be! Very nice with the little shrug and your special jewelry. Loved the video (never seen a Russian sitcom!) and I bet your were dancing and crooning in front of your mirror! Congratulations on your desire fulfilled.

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    1. I thought it would be fun for you to see a little bit of Russian cinema. :) Thank you, dear dear Jan! :)

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  16. Oh gosh, I'm a bit late to this party - what an utterly gorgeous dress! The colours are perfect on you – I actually think it's nicer than the one in the film!

    Spaghetti straps are a total pain, especially now in my mid 50s. Similarly, strapless bras are less than useless if one is well blessed in the bosom department. They either end up round my waist or squished...and don't get me started on halter-necked bras; I get neuralgia just thinking about them. Nope, I do exactly the same thing as you. That's why I have a wardrobe full of shrugs!

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    1. It's never late! That's the best thing about Internet. It's just always there - forever lasting party. :)

      I am so glad you like this one - Dream Dress, what can I say? I have a variety of jackets, blazers to go with it, but this is the only shrug I own so far. I guess more shrugs are coming my way in the near future.

      Bras are just not the most comfortable invention, we have to admit it. Some day somewhere someone will invent The Perfect Bra and solve all our troubles. :)

      Thank you and Happy May! :)

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