Friday, September 25, 2009

Old is New Again

Last time I went home, Mama was like “Oh, I found this the other day in the hutch”, and she pulled out this little black and white dress she made for me when I was in high school. I can’t remember how old I was, but not more than 16. And I thought it was so sweet that she had it, and was going to take it for sentimental reasons, but she wanted me to try it on. I thought, Oh my gosh, there is no way. NO WAY. Because I was a size 2 in high school. On a fat day. But she said she had let it out a bit last time I was a size 4, and to try it, and you know what?

September 23

It fit. I really should have taken pictures without the cardigan but I just forgot, the seaming on the bust is just the most amazing flattering cut ever. I actually wonder if she still has the pattern. I used to pick the most obnoxiously hard patterns when we went to the store. I loved VOUGE patterns, and she used to just cringe when she saw them because they were such a pain in the behind. But she made them anyway, because she’s a Mama, and that’s what Mama’s do.

September 23

I remember a big tug of war over the hemline on this. My mom recognized early on that my legs were just long, and they made everything look short. She was the one who taught me to wear black tights to make things seem more modest. But we still fought over hemlines. I wanted it shorter than this, and she wanted it longer. So this length is the shortest I was allowed to wear*.

September 23

I am really pretty impressed with the way the dress has held up for being what? 17 years old? I found one place that was coming loose and stitched it up, but overall, it still looks really good.

I used to choose some really offbeat fabrics. This one is portraits of little girls in black and white. I still think it’s very pretty.

September 23

And I think these ankle boots have just the right vintage look to them.

September 23

They actually look like shoes the girls in the pictures might be wearing.

*Except for this one dress that she altered for me once, from Contempo Casual, and she made some sort of mistake, rendering it scandalously short, but by the time she was done she was so over that dress she just told me to wear tights with it and be careful how I sat. I LOVED that dress, BTW.

Dress, Handmade by Mama
Sweater, Forever XXI
Tights, Target
Shoes, Target

24 comments:

yotababy said...

So fun! And the shoes are absolutely perfect with that!

A said...

If you weren't my BFF, I would possibly knock you over and steal this if I was there~! I so would've run out and bought this if you'd gotten it in a store. I hope you'll take pictures without the cardigan the next time you wear it so we can see the stitching!

When I saw this in your Flickr and it said "handmade by Mama", I was like "wow, what a weird Etsy name that is!". I am so dumb. Ah ha ha.

Those shoes are totally perfect with it, and I love the ruffles on that sweater. This is one of my favourite outfits on you ever!!

eednic said...

that dress and this post are 1 million percent awesome.

Anonymous said...

Such fun! Do show us a photo of the bodice when you remember ...

Linda said...

I love the times that you post, I look at my clock and think..."Erin must have posted for today" and sure enough a post surprise.

The only thing my mom ever made me (and she used to be an avid sewer) was my raggity anne costume for halloween.
I was soo soo cute!

Indiana Adams said...

I love this! And I hope you have it forever and ever and continue to wear it every so often.

The print is awesome, and I LOVE that it was made by your mom. The only thing my mom ever made me was dinner... sometimes. :0)

Unknown said...

I just got those Target shoes too! And you go girl for fitting into something from high school! I have a wedding dress upstairs that I don't even think I'll ever get into again LOL!

gina said...

Great outfit! I love the print on the dress.

Mary said...

What a beautiful dress! Your mom has got some skills, girl!

Anonymous said...

I just discovered your blog... it is so great!! I love your style! You look so adorable in all your pics.

This outfit is incredible. Great dress and those shoes... I want those shoes. Love at first site!

Keep it up...I'll be back. ;)

xoxo
Amy
thebargainhunterextraordinaire.blogspot.com

Caroline said...

I LOVE that dress!! Looks like a great fit and the pattern is fabulous! You must be so pleased it fits! :D

love home|life|style said...

OMG that dress is so cute. And you still fit into it, that is even cuter!

Made me laugh with the arguing over hemlines with your mum, reminds me so much of my mum and I those years ago!

Audi said...

Adorable! And wow, I had forgotten all about Contempo Casual -- I used to love that store.

Ria said...

What a wonderful story.. it reminded me of my mom..thanks for sharing it

Sheila said...

Wow, that's an awesome dress. I love the fabric. How cool that your Mama kept it for you!

C said...

Those shoes are fabulous!

The Small Fabric Of My Life said...

I love this outfit.

Leina said...

Mamas always make the bestest things!! <3

LOVE the print!!! And I love how good you look in this outfit!

Boutique Girl said...

I love this outfit! It looks amazing!

Keely said...

Just wanted to let you know you look fab today! Love the ensemble!

myedit said...

Funny dress story (about the too-short dress), sounds like my mama. That and belly shirts were her bitching points.
The print is wicked, good taste as a 16 year old...

carolina bleu said...

lovely.

SHOEGAL said...

Great dress and I'm impressed it still fits after all this time.

Just how tall are you (if you don't mind me asking)?

Renée T. Habashy said...

You look adorable in this dress. I love love love the print! So cool! And so cool of your mom to sew for you so much.