Thursday, May 6, 2010

Lilac Time, Part Two

Being a vintage seller who works from home is a daily exercise in restraint.  For example, I've been trying for months to resist hoarding a certain ethereal early 1930s silk chiffon number for myself.  It almost sold a while back to a darling friend.  I was both pained and relieved that this piece of sartorial temptation would stop peeping at me pleadingly with its imaginary puppy dog eyes, begging me to keep her (yes, I anthropomorphise my clothes, which is a big part of the problem).  After seeing the picture of the 1930 Lilac Queen's dress in my last post, however, I could no longer bear to let this poor, divine frock just wither on the shelf.  Out I took her for a glorious romp in the garden to visit the lilacs.  Lilacs + silk chiffon gown = pure vintage romance and femininity!!!   I just adore the wide bell sleeves, the self tie, and the fact that the attached slip is DELIBERATELY longer than the dress, to add a second layer of floaty material.  Seriously, I am REALLY tempted to keep this number, but will keep it for sale in the shop...for now. If it suddenly disappears, you'll know someone has either purchased it or it's staying with me!!


Lilac Time



1930s silk chiffon tea gown



Lilac Time


1930s silk chiffon gown


Lilacs



1930s silk chiffon tea gown










18 comments:

Kir said...

Keep it! It looks lovely on you.

reilly said...

Pretty! Though I think the slip was probably cut on the bias and maybe has just stretched out a bit!

BaronessVonVintage said...

Hmm, interesting thought, Reilly...though the slip is not made of a stretchy sort of material? Maybe the chiffon has shrunk? I dunno! I must admit I've seen this shorter chiffon overlay and longer slip scenario before, more recently with another dress-slip set from around this same early 30s time period that I had in the shop a while back. This is what led me to conclude that this is a deliberate thing! Anyone else seen a similar thing??

Debi said...

Oh wow! This is my favorite! What an amazing dress! You should definitely keep it!

Riikka said...

The dress is perfect on you. I say keep it. ;)

BaronessVonVintage said...

Aw, thanks, gals....this is dangerous talk, though. I shall never make a dime at this rate :)

Reilly, maybe I should have made the slip a little more billowy when cinching the overlay???

Yesterday Girl said...

It's beautiful...go on, treat yourself1 I must say that your hair is looking absolutely perfect and so pretty.x

Diva said...

You are sweet and adorable in it. I had to laugh reading your post, something tells me you really are as witty as what you write ! As for the urge to by the dress isn´t that ( as you pointed out) the very reason why you began selling vintage ? :)

BombshellShocked said...

Holy cow! Reading your blog always makes me a bit green with envy. That lilac bush is to-die-for. I'd trade my entire stock for that beauty!

Inanimate objects have life in my world too. I think its part of being raised on Disney. :)

Miss Matilda said...

Hooray, you have started to put pictures of you in the frocks on etsy! Adorable :-)

Maggi said...

Yeah, I don't want to be a bad influence here or anything but this dress looks like it was made for you. Keep it.

A Whimsical Girl Named Debbie said...

It looks lovely on you! You should keep it - it looks like it was made for you!

http://girlwhimsy.blogspot.com
http://closetfullofgoodies.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Frollein von Sofa said...

You look like a vintage fairy queen ... so beautiful ! Lilacs are my favourite flowers,they are made in heaven. Thank you so so much for your lovely post, a compliment that comes from you, means a lot to me, since you have such great style and taste !

BaronessVonVintage said...

Goodness me, I am very appreciative of your kind words! I shall soon have to decide! Decisions, decisions!!

Eileen said...

Oh my goodness - you must NOT sell that dress! It looks made for you! You look enchanting and ethereal in it - please do keep it. That first photo of you looks like it could be a postcard - seriously! Just beautiful.

Unknown said...

OMG, you are a vision in that dress! L-O-V-E it!! Beautiful setting, just fab!!

BaronessVonVintage said...

Thanks, Bella and nudeedudee! If you can believe it, that's my backyard. I plan on living out there for most of the summer if I can!