Dress Review: The Blanche in Deco Daffodil

Deco Daffodil is the newest print just released from Trashy Diva earlier last month.

It is my favorite prints released by them since the Green Kimono print released in December 2014! And considering how much I love the prints Trashy Diva releases I feel like that's saying a lot about this print! (Though now I must disclose, as I edit and finish writing this review an even newer print just got released by Trashy Diva, Ruffled Feathers, which sends my heart aflutter so... but more on that print later!)

The Deco Daffoil print is a stark and contrasting two color print featuring ghostly white Daffodils against a midnight dark navy blue background. And to say midnight dark is not an exaggeration! The navy is almost pitch black though not quite. The daffodils have a flowy, darkly whimsical, almost like a gothic rococo, feel to it. The all white daffodils are given visual depth and texture though the use of pointillism shading done in navy within the stark white daffodils. There is so much for the eye to take in with this print. To me, it's a mysterious print which divulges to the viewer upon repeat views a sense of melancholy movement, flow, depth, and dark dreamy moodiness.

Perhaps for this reason the Blanche was the perfect choice in this print. In A Streetcar Named Desire, Blanche was the mysterious debutante who arrives to New Orleans from her home of assumed opulent splendor in Laurel, Mississippi to visit her sister Stella. Like the character Blanche, the Blanche dress is all femininity with flowing flutters and delicate lady like ruffles. However, through the unfolding of the story told in the midst of the shadows and fog of its setting we find there is more to Blanche's story than first meets the eye. And perhaps, just like Blanche DuBois, the Blanche dress is more than just feminine flutters and ruffles. The Deco Daffodil print adds a decided air of dark mystery to the print while the true cross over design of the wrap style of the dress adds an element of playful energy.

A bit more about this cut... one thing that I did not immediately notice viewing pictures of this dress online is that there are actually double ruffles at the shoulders as well as a double layer of fabric along the skirt. Furthermore, the ruffles in the front of the dress extend around the neck which, in my opinion, gives it a bit of a sailor style silhouette to it. There are so many gorgeous features such as these which I feel can so easily get overlooked when merely looking at stock photos of it online. The material is made from a stretch rayon knit much like the glorious fabric used the in Trashy Diva's Victory Floral print. Regarding fit, I found this dress to fit true to size and took it in my usual size.

Trashy Diva Blanche dress in Deco Daffodil- Front View

Trashy Diva Blanche dress in Deco Daffodil- Front View

Trashy Diva Blanche dress in Deco Daffodil- Side View

Trashy Diva Blanche dress in Deco Daffodil- Back View

Trashy Diva Blanche dress in Deco Daffodil- Close Up

Trashy Diva Deco Daffodil- Close Up

Trashy Diva Dress Reviews: The Maria, The Lena Sarong, and The 1940's Flutter Dress In The New Trashy Diva Prints

I can hardly believe that I have acquired all these Trashy Diva dresses in these new prints!

When I saw these prints introduced on their website I thought for sure I would have to wait til next Christmas for their Christmas sales to see what was left over in my size.

They first came out their Crepe Myrtle print and it was gorgeous! But I waited too long and The Ashley dress I wanted in that print sold out in my size.

Then they came out with their Blue Hawaii print which was so classic and so beautiful. But once again I waited, hoping they would have some left in December... and the Lena Sarong I loved was completely sold out!

Then they came out with their Seersucker and Chambray dresses! Oh they were killing me!!! But luckily at that time I was already working on my own seersucker dress which was red and white rather than their navy and white so I was okay with letting this pass even though it was so hard.... and I wasn't that into the Chambray.... Also, to be fair, when these first came out I decided to buy myself the Trashy Diva Apple Pie dress-- a design from last year which was getting increasingly hard to find and increasingly sold out from TD and outside vendors. The Apple Pie dress almost has the body of the Seersucker Apple Tart dress with a full though not as full skirt, and black body and a black and white gingham bust. These two are so similar and I did like the Apple Pie more so it wasn't that hard of a decision. (Though I'm still hoping they might have some of these left in December!) ;)

Then they came out with their Waterlilies print! A Waterlilies in the Sweetie dress?!!!!! Oh, they make it so hard to resist! (Still hoping something will be left in December!!)

I think all you Trashy Diva fanatics out there know my plight!

But then they came out with the Turquoise Floral print. And there was one in the Maria! A bright happy blue with lots of colors like pink and purple and yellow and green and white with lovely big flowers all over. Now this I could not resist! I had a coupon code that was begging to get used and it was going to expire soon so I went for it and bought this Maria. I missed out on the Maria dress when they had the yellow and the black embroidered versions so I felt slightly justified in really wanting and subsequently buying this one. ;)


The Maria Dress in Turquoise Floral:
I got this lovely little number in my usual size 10 and was surprised it still fit a little big. It is definitely a little loose in the bust and shoulders but I'm sure that if I sized down it would be too small in the waist. This dress has beautiful colors that I have not seen coming up too well in any pictures I've seen on the internet so far. It is a beautiful shade of rich turquoise blue on a more blue side, with pink, purple and yellow flowers with green leaves, and white highlights. It has faux buttons at the bust and a high mandarin style collar. The cap sleeves are loose and comfortable. The pleated skirt is full and flowy. It has a side zip and comes with a self fabric covered belt. Overall, this is a lovely dress with lots of comfort!

Trashy Diva Maria Dress In Turquoise Floral- Front View

Trashy Diva Maria Dress In Turquoise Floral- Front View

Trashy Diva Maria Dress In Turquoise Floral- Side View

Trashy Diva Maria Dress In Turquoise Floral- Back View

Trashy Diva Maria Dress In Turquoise Floral- Close Up

After the Turquoise Floral print, Trashy Diva continued to tease me by coming out with their Cherries Print. What I really loved about this Cherries print is that it's not your run of the mill rockabilly, overtly red and obvious, cherry print. These cherries seemed somehow a little more sophisticated. A little more classic, and not in a modernized classic retro way, but a more true to form vintage style classic print way. But what really pushed me over the edge with the selection is this print was the dresses they had in it! They released this print in the ever lovely and loved Streetcar dress. One of my favorite dress styles from Trashy Diva! And they also came out with one I've never seen before, a 1940's Flutter dress! This dress, from what I can tell has the same body style as the 1940's dress with flutter sleeves.

I have a dress from Stop Staring that has flutter details and I absolutely love it! Flutters gives dresses such a romantic feel and it's just so feminine and so vintage.

Even though I had a hard time deciding which of these two styles I would like more, I ultimately decided I liked the 1940's Flutter dress more which worked in my favor in the end! I would not have dared to buy another TD diva dress so soon after buying the Apple Pie dress for my bday in early July, AND the Turquoise Floral in August... but I got offered a writing assignment from Cats Like Us which I jumped at the chance at and while I was waiting for my writing credit to come in they popped this beauty on their website and were even selling it at an awesome price! So with my commission from Cats Like Us I swooped on this dress like a hungry bird going after one of these delicious cherries! :D


The 1940's Flutter dress in Cherries Print:
I contacted Trashy Diva with my measurements asking their suggestion which size to get in either this dress or the Streetcar dress. They suggested that with my measurements I should get a size 12 which they said would probably be a bit big in the bust but would fit my waist better. Well, normally I would have followed their instructions but in this case, since I had my Cats Like Us credit to use and Cats Like Us was selling the 1940's Flutter dress at such a great price, and Cats Like Us was sold out in the size 12s, I decided to take the chance and buy the size 10 and see how it worked. This one fit! It is very fitted in the waist but not overly so. I think in this style if I got it in the larger size 12 it would have made me look too top heavy or bulky in the shoulders with the style of sleeves anyhow. This is a wonderfully flowy dress with a fitted bust and fitted waist. Those are some good combinations in my book! This dress has the body style of the 1940's dress: a low v-neckline with lots of gatherings at the top and bottom of the bust and at the shoulders, as well as on the skirt. The back is also a low v-neckline with gatherings. The waist has a thick and sleek cinching band that is lined to help with waist control. Taking a closer look at the flutter sleeves I could not find any joining seams and was amazed to find out that each sleeve is comprised of a full donut shaped circle attached at the arm holes! That must have taken a lot of fabric to do this for each dress! I do wish the flutter on the sleeves did not go down so low at the underside of the sleeves... after a few wears I might make some alterations on that, but that would completely change the full circle sleeves so I'll have to think of that some. This dress has a back zip.

Trashy Diva 1940's Flutter Dress In Cherries- Front View

Trashy Diva 1940's Flutter Dress In Cherries- Front View

Trashy Diva 1940's Flutter Dress In Cherries- Side View

Trashy Diva 1940's Flutter Dress In Cherries- Back View

Trashy Diva 1940's Flutter Dress In Cherries- Close Up

And just when I thought all my currently new Trashy Diva purchases were done until at least the December sales, Trashy Diva put out some great dresses on super sale on their ebay shop. It seems that they do this once a year to clear out their stock of damaged and defective items. But if you are handy with a needle and thread or don't mind paying a little extra to take it to a seamstress you can get some really great discounts on brand new Trashy Diva dresses! During this sale I was so so so so lucky to find the Lena Sarong in the Blue Hawaii print for only $55 and it was in my size, 10!!! The damage on it was a little hole at the zip seam at the bottom of the zipper. It probably happened when someone was trying to shimmy into the dress and was a little too rough with it. Rayon can be so delicate sometimes. Honestly though, it was the tiniest little hole that was easier to fix than it was trying to get the wrinkles out!

The Lena Sarong in Blue Hawaii:
The Lena Sarong in Blue Hawaii is the epitome of classic 1950's sarong style. While tropical in print and flowy fabric, it is very elegant in form and fit. The bodice has a structured and multiply-pleated bust with a structured pleated under bust. The waist is slim and fitted and the fitted skirt has a lovely attached yet draped sarong. At the top of the sarong is tie stash which helps finish off the look of the draping sarong. The straps on this dress are adjustable with differently spaced buttons to attach it onto the back of the dress. Also, there are elastic panels on each side of the top to ensure a perfectly fitted look. Finishing off the whole look, in true classic Hollywood fashion, an attached drape sits over the right shoulder and flows down the back.

Trashy Diva Lena Sarong In Blue Hawaii- Front View

Trashy Diva 1940's Flutter Dress In Cherries- Side View

Trashy Diva 1940's Flutter Dress In Cherries- Back View

Trashy Diva 1940's Flutter Dress In Cherries- Close Up

How lucky I was to be able to get all three of these prints in my favorite dress styles they came in! Keep an eye out for those sales ladies!!! Because sales are the best!

For reference my measurements are 39-31-39 and I'm 5'3" and all of these dresses are size 10.

Dress Reviews: The Ruche Semi Annual Sale!

A couple of weeks ago Ruche launched their semi-annual sale.

There were a couple of things I had my eye on on their site and had just previously missed their $30 off $100 or more sale so I was happy to see that this new sale brought my items down to an even lower price. During their sale they had several items marked down to 30-50% and were offering an additional 20% off everything on their site!

At bargain prices I picked up their Estate House Floral Dress (about $30)... a dress I previously blogged about on the post Matching Your Dress To Your Teaware and I also picked up the Parisian Cafes Drop Waist Dress (about $20).

The Estate House Floral dress by Under Skies is a shorter style, fit and flair, chiffon dress in a dark turquoise blue with pink, yellow, and white flowers and blue leaves. I love the combination of the vivid yet calming colors, the flowiness of the light and airy chiffon fabric, and the classic fit and flair shape! This dress comes fully lined, has a hidden back zipper, and a cute little metal button in the back at the nap of the neck. On me this dress falls a couple of inches above the knees which is a little shorter than I usually like to wear but will suit me well for when I feel like having a more modern look. And just as expected, this dress goes just darling with my Grace Tea Ware tea for one set which is something I really love about this dress!

Estate House Floral Dress By Under Skies From Ruche- Front View

Estate House Floral Dress By Under Skies From Ruche- Side View

Estate House Floral Dress By Under Skies From Ruche- Back View

Estate House Floral Dress By Under Skies From Ruche- Back Button Detail

Estate House Floral Dress By Under Skies From Ruche With Grace Tea Ware Tea For One

The Parisian Cafes Drop Waist dress by Hem and Thread is a two piece dress. The first part is an under dress, a mauve dress that has a sheer perforated pleated skirt attached to a super soft stretchy mauve tank top. The straps on the under dress are adjustable and the sheer skirt is lined with a silky material in the same color as the skirt. The second part of this dress is a white lace tank top that goes over the dress. The white lace tank top is loose fitting with a back zip and button closure at the nap of the neck. I love loose fitting drop waist dresses! They have such a fun look and feel. Usually these style of dresses screams 1960's to me but because of the lace and the soft feminine mauve color of the sheer skirt I feel like this dress definitely has more of a early 1930's feel to it. This dress is so comfortable and adorable at the same time! I love it!

Parisian Cafes Drop Waist Dress By Hem and Thread From Ruche- Front View

Parisian Cafes Drop Waist Dress By Hem and Thread From Ruche- Side View

Parisian Cafes Drop Waist Dress By Hem and Thread From Ruche- Back View

Parisian Cafes Drop Waist Dress By Hem and Thread From Ruche- Close Up Of Lace

I will definitely be looking forward to more finds from Ruche and will definitely look forward to their next semi-annual sale!

In both dresses I ordered a size large which fit my 39-31-38, 5'3" frame perfectly!

Hell Bunny's Emilie Dress, A Dress Review

Hell Bunny's been making quite an impression on me these last two seasons.

Actually, make that last two years.

While I've always admired their signature 1950's style halter dresses from the last couple of years, I'm really excited to see the new styles they have been coming out with lately. Last Fall/Winter (2013) they came out with beautiful 40's style dresses (the Mae West dress, the Nell dress, as well as the Madden dress). The Fall/Winter before that (2012) their styles were also equally impressive with their Suzy Parker dress, Posey dress, Evie dress, and Sandy dress. And they haven't been limiting themselves to awesome dresses only for the cooler months. Last Spring/Summer (2013) they had the awesome Melanie dress, and the Lazy River dress. This Spring/Summer (2014) they have the beautiful Sheila dress, and Claudia dress previously reviewed respectively here (An Apple a Day, The Vintage Dancer Dress, A.K.A. Hell Bunny's Clauida Dress ). These are just a few of my favorites from this brand. One more to add to the list is their Emilie dress. I got this dress from JBR Clothing.

I can't quite put my finger on this dress... is it 1930's style? 1940's style? Maybe 50's or 60's? Whatever style it may be emulating, it's a beautiful dress. I'm kind of leaning towards 30's (judging from the length, the crochet collar, and the pleating style) but I could be wrong. It could as easily be seen as 1960's style. In any case, I will continue on to the details.

This dress is made from a cotton spandex blend but seems to be as easy care as polyester, not wrinkling easily. It has a heavier weight which makes it a good dress for any season with the right accessories. With a pair of sweater tights and a good cardigan I can see this easily being one of my go-to winter dresses though, the cap sleeves ensures it would also be a great summer dress when worn without a cardigan or tights. The material of the dress, although on the heavier side, has a slight stretch to it as well as a somewhat soft feel to it rather than thick and starchy, making it a very comfortable and easy to wear dress. The dress has a full circle skirt, giving it lots of twirl. There is pleating under the bustline around its tailored cut. This is balanced out with clean, simple, cap sleeves. The dress is adorned with a cream colored crocheted collar as well as pearl buttons down the collar which themselves are adorned with gold.

As many dresses as I have I don't really have too many black dresses, especially swing-skirted black dresses. So it's nice to add this little black dress to my collection, particularly an easy to wear one!

Hell Bunny Emilie Dress- Front View

Hell Bunny Emilie Dress- Side View

Hell Bunny Emilie Dress- Back View

Hell Bunny Emilie Dress-Close Up of Collar and Button Detail

Hell Bunny Emilie Dress- Close Up of Bustline Detail, Pleats, Buttons and Collar

It is so hard to photograph black! The pleated detail of the dress does not come out too well in the pictures. It has a lovely cut on top though.

One thing that does drive me a little crazy about this dress is the buttons. The backs of these buttons aren't flat but more like U shape which do nothing to stop the buttons from moving around. Does anyone have any suggestions to keep these buttons still!?

Back to the 1930's

Oh Modcloth, how I love thee, let me count the ways...

1.... They offer free shipping for orders over $50, which would probably mean most all orders
       :)
2.... They offer free shipping back to them for returns or exchanges
3.... They carry hard to find brands such as Collectif, Fleet Collection, Trollied Dolly, and
       BAIT Footwear
4.... I often find stuff on Modcloth I don't see anywhere else!
5.... Really, what more do you need? ;)

UK company Banned... never heard of them. But they came out with this lovely 1930's style dress which when I saw Modcloth was down to the last two in my size I had to make the purchase rather than risk losing it forever!

This dress is a light rose pink with peplum around the sides and along the back of the dress. It has an oversized white collar outlined with black ribbon which features a black bow neck. The white cuffs of the dress are also outlined with black ribbon and also have their own black bows. This dress if fully lined and has a zipper in the back. It's made from polyester which isn't a very authentic fabric for the design but for the unique vintage design and overall quality of the dress I was quite surprised and impressed at the price. I sized up to a UK size 16 as suggested by Modcloth's website and the dress fit my 38-30-38, 5'3" frame just right.

I tried to visit Banned's website but apparently unless you are a retailer you'll get locked out of their site. Too bad because I would love to see what other designs they have out. For now, five dresses come up on Modcloth's website when you search Banned including this beautiful dress, the "Envision Success Dress" which goes so perfectly with my cloche hats!