In typical Selfish Seamstress fashion, I finds myself days before a wedding (not my own) with no outfit planned. My recent Pants-with-a-bow project reminded me of a vintage dress from the 1950s I purchased some months ago with a side embellishment thing, and I thought it might be a good choice for the wedding. However, it needs a fair bit of rehab. (The color in real life is much more of a grayish blue than a sky blue):
I think I’m am going to shorten the length by about 3″ all the way around, including the side drape (not the sash though). I also need to shorten the straps a bit, and there’s so loose ruching across the bust that needs to be tightened up. Other than that, the fit in the bodice is great (surprising since 1950s dresses in small sizes are usually either too small in the waist or too large in the bust for my very not-1950s figure). There’s also a lot of small re-tacking of stuff here and there that needs to happen. I’ll come back with the after pictures if I’m successful!
Oh, and you’ll see I’m wearing two different shoes. This is where I need your help. From a style standpoint, I like the taupe satin T-straps better. From a color standpoint, the silver leather ankle strap shoes are a better match. They just look so not vintage though. The taupe ones are more comfortable, but I’m not too concerned about that, as I’m an expert high heel wearer. What do you think? (This is the full extent of my non-black evening shoe collection, I’m afraid, and with a size 5 foot, there’s no chance of just running out and picking something out at a department store on the quick.)
UPDATE: Here are better photos of the shoes- I suspect they’re not reading properly in the outdoor photos. Taupe satin T-strap with rhinestone buckle:
Silver leather ankle strap with bow:
74 comments
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July 1, 2010 at 4:02 pm
Julia
Silver shoes!
July 1, 2010 at 4:04 pm
karen
I vote for the silver shoes. The taupe wouldn’t look terrible or anything, it just would be a bit of a non sequitur. Love the dress.
July 1, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Nikki
I love the t-strap!
July 1, 2010 at 4:07 pm
HollyS
I think the silver ones look much better with this style dress. Gorgeous dress BTW.
July 1, 2010 at 4:09 pm
Anonymous
Love the dress! Go with the silver shoes!
July 1, 2010 at 4:14 pm
indywriter
I’m another vote for the silver shoes.
When I first looked at them with the dress I actually thought they looked like something Ginger Rogers would wear… the kind of shoe that looks like it could kill the wearer, until said wearer breaks into a totally impromptu, yet completely choreographed dance number.
July 1, 2010 at 4:15 pm
Chrisrx
The silver shoes- fabulous for a wedding. And… if Dan is out of town, who is taking the pictures??
July 1, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Minnie
Whilst it is hard to tell in a photo, I think the taupe. Especially if the dress is shorter, I think it will be a modern classic look, to bring the gorgeous 50s into the not so matchy matchy 21st centuary.
Although by the looks of the comments I am the only one to vote this way ;-)
July 1, 2010 at 4:19 pm
Dawn
Silver shoes, definitely. The brown color of the others brings the dress down. The dress wants to be festive!
July 1, 2010 at 4:22 pm
dw
Hmmm, I was going to say t-strap, all the way. I’ve seen a lot of older movies where the shoes weren’t a *match* for the dress, but rather an earthy-tone. The silver almost looks too matchy-matchy and a little too prom-y for me. The t-straps look more grown-up.
But, what do I know? I’m allergic to high heels and I never match anything. Just ignore me. I’ll go back to lurking and stop screwing up the curve.
July 1, 2010 at 4:23 pm
K-Line
I’m apparently the voice of dissent, but I think the taupe ones are much more modern – much less “I’m going to a wedding” (but very chic nonetheless).
July 1, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Colleen P.
I like the taupe, simply because the silver looks SO close to the color of the dress that I’m wondering if it’s going to look a bit too “matchy-matchy Barbie Bridesmaid”.
I think the general consesus will be, however, to wear the silver, because it looks light and summery and that works better for a summer wedding.
July 1, 2010 at 4:38 pm
sarah
It kills me *KILLS ME* that 8 years ago when I was trying to figure out what the heck to do with a donation of 2 boxes of size 5 shoes from the 40s-70s that you were nowhere to be found
They were stylish, amazing and cluttering up the museum’s staging area AND they weren’t a donation to be accessioned – just to be used as props in shows or sold or otherwise dealt with. It makes me weep to think that they’re god-knows-where now (in the hands of some undeserving person, I’m sure) and NOT ON YOUR FEET.
July 1, 2010 at 5:15 pm
kimmie
The silver shoes are too “prom” or “bridesmaid” and the expected color combo. I like the unexpecteness of the taupe. :)
July 1, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Vicki
Love the dress, love the taupe shoes. Please don’t be cruel to me if you think this just too matchy matchy……..but what if you do a ruffle (or flower or bow) from the cut off fabric to attach to the tbar of the shoe?
July 1, 2010 at 5:21 pm
Nancy
Sorry–no on the taupe. They read as “day” to me. Gorgeous dress! If you really want to go with a vintage look for this dress, start searching for some stiletto pumps.
July 1, 2010 at 5:24 pm
Deliriumsama
I like the style of the taupe, but the silver shoes are the right color. Go out and grab some big sparkly clip on earrings, and add some old school cocktail bling to the toe-strap of the silver to make them look less modern. You could also use shoe clips, which are actually intended for this purpose, if you’re able to find them.
I absolutely adore the dress, too!
July 1, 2010 at 5:37 pm
nikole
the silver one make me think it’s a bit too bridesmaid-y or prom-y. Go with the t-strap… a poll would have worked well with this post too
July 1, 2010 at 5:46 pm
tumblebee
I prefer both the color and style of the taupe shoes with this dress. I think it’s a much more interesting combination than the silver. Good luck with the rehab, that dress looks like it has a ton of potential!
July 1, 2010 at 5:48 pm
kathyh
at first glance, I was struck by the silver shoes with the bridesmaidy dress. I have faith in your refashinging though and will vote for the taupe t-straps.
July 1, 2010 at 5:54 pm
Mary in FL
Although I prefer the silver shoes, I think you should try them again after you shorten the dress.
July 2, 2010 at 8:36 am
Darci
I’m with Mary. I like the silver (they’re a neutral, after all) but need to see before & afters to know for sure.
July 1, 2010 at 6:10 pm
Rachel
Taupe for sure. I love the style and I bit of contrast looks chic:). Also I’m not a huge fan of bows on my toes…a personal bias for sure.
July 1, 2010 at 6:13 pm
Deb
I like both but prefer the silver. I agree that you should repost after shortening the dress.
Please send Dan away more often, I’m enjoying the multitude of updates from you!
July 1, 2010 at 6:40 pm
Venus de Hilo
If that’s a gray-ish blue, no shade of taupe is ever going to look good with it. I agree also, that the taupe style says “casual” even if they’re satin. The silver are a perfect color for blue (who says you need vintage shoes just because you’re wearing a vintage dress?).
July 1, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Colleen P.
Is there a particular reason you chose this dress, rather than the absolutely gorgeous “sugar snow” dress you made a few weeks ago (when it was still snowing, hence the name). It seems as though it would be perfect for this occasion, being of a similar style, and even better, wouldn’t require any work.
July 1, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Colleen P.
Not to mention that it already goes with the taupe shoes, and has that vintage feel you’re going for.
July 1, 2010 at 7:24 pm
PetitePear
Definitely silver. The taupe, though very nice, looks like “I ran out of the office, changed my outfit but forgot to change shoes” to me. It just doesn’t go with the style of the dress. Especially that you said that the dress is more greyish than the picture shows, I don’t think taupe looks good with that.
July 1, 2010 at 7:51 pm
Christy
Silver shoes with bow. The color looks better. Can’t wait to see the updated dress!
July 1, 2010 at 7:55 pm
Fourth Daughter
The taupe all the way (I made a rhyme!). I think there’s enough shine to them to be party shoes and they are a gorgeous shape. The silver ones look too bridesmaidy to me. Also don’t like the matchy-matchy idea. So yeah, taupe.
Now if anyone has ideas about what shoes to wear to a literary speed dating event I’d like to hear them!
July 1, 2010 at 8:04 pm
Sherry
I prefer the silver – they’re not perfect, but they don’t scream “wrong” to me like the taupe ones do.
I think the taupe look too dark or daywear-y for this dress. It would be great if the silver were less shiny – any vintage pixie dust?
July 1, 2010 at 8:18 pm
sue
I vote for the taupe t-strap. I think the silver shoes competes with the dress.
July 1, 2010 at 8:52 pm
Anonymous
Silver– Barbie IS vintage! The shoes are very becoming. I think you can rock this length well; just snug up the top of the dress, as bias overlays always sag over time. Then tack the overlay randomly to keep the pleats in place.
July 1, 2010 at 8:54 pm
Bernadette
Silver– Barbie IS vintage! The shoes are very becoming. I think you can rock this length well; just snug up the top of the dress, as bias overlays always sag over time. Then tack the overlay randomly to keep the pleats in place.
July 1, 2010 at 8:59 pm
Cindy
Silver pops the dress, and also emphasizes your nice ankles.
July 1, 2010 at 9:48 pm
Echo
silver – the others are lovely but the wrong colour sorry! Unless you’re accessorising in similar shades
July 1, 2010 at 10:02 pm
Drsue
Taupe for sure. Perfect actually. Silver is too matchy-matchy plus too bridesmaids like. Plus it has a bow which is just too much with the dress’s bow.
July 1, 2010 at 10:20 pm
Steph
Silver!!!!!
July 1, 2010 at 10:49 pm
Clair
Love the taupe! Also the t-strap style is just lovely. Sucha gorgeous dress – great find :)
July 1, 2010 at 11:35 pm
nommh
Of course it all depends on your handbag and other accessories, but I think the taupe shoes. Is it because I’m middle aged? Is it because of my European sensibilities? Anyhow, I cannot think, how a satin peep toe t-strap could be considered day wear.
I think there is so much going on with dress, that it would be more elegant to combine it with shoes that politely cede centre stage to the dress.
July 2, 2010 at 12:50 am
frifris
Silver. Doesn’t look to matchy-matchy imho, but the taupe looks off. And it is also a bit boring.
July 2, 2010 at 1:07 am
anna
silver shoes!!
July 2, 2010 at 1:13 am
Affienia
I think the silver. I prefer the style of the taupe but the colour of the silver goes better.
The dress is stunning!
July 2, 2010 at 1:30 am
Margaret
I think the taupe are just a little too dark for the dress. I’m sure in some lights (and maybe in real life, of course) they look lighter and just look understated rather than brown. But do you really want to worry about how your shoes are lit? (They look great with the Sugar Snow dress, by the way.)
July 2, 2010 at 2:53 am
Marie-Christine
You’re going to a wedding, not a vintage gathering. Go with the silver, which looks much better. Mixing contemporary with vintage is hip, and I think that’s a better effect than ‘pickled in vintage’ :-).
Great dress though :-). I think we forget that people in previous times came in pretty much the same range of bodies than they do now. So yes, if you tend to have a 50s sort of ideal body, you’ll look good in fashion of that period and you -may- find more stuff from then that fits you. But plenty of 20s-body women were alive then, wearing those styles. The difficulty is that contemporary vintage shops don’t necessarily carry the clothes that fit you, they have a much more rigid view of who should be wearing what. Just like contemporary vintage shops usually only carry small sizes, while there was plenty of larger sizes available.
July 2, 2010 at 3:21 am
fruitbat
Depends on the time of day. Taupe for day, silver for evening. The taupe are non-matchy enough to be interesting, you know?
July 2, 2010 at 3:26 am
Johanna
Oh my god, you look gorgeous in the dress! And definitely: the silver shoes.
July 2, 2010 at 3:57 am
Justiina
Silver! I don’t care if they would scream “prom” to some (not to me, but then I’m European so what do I know), they are just right.
July 2, 2010 at 4:42 am
indigorchid
I vote taupe! The silver looks too closely matched to me, and I think that picking up the brown family in accessories would make it all quite beautiful.
July 2, 2010 at 5:01 am
Becky
I like the silver, for precisely the reason you said–the taupe shoes have more of a vintage vibe to them, and since you’re already wearing a vintage dress, I’m going to channel Nina Garcia for a moment and say the more modern shoes would help keep it from being too costume-y.
July 2, 2010 at 5:29 am
raquel
Silver! I agree with Becky and her “Nina Garcia” channeling
Have fun!
July 2, 2010 at 5:34 am
D
day or evening wedding?
day = taupe
evening = you can get away with silver without looking like a teenager who raided her big sister’s club clothes, but I still vote for taupe
(sorry! I find silver shoes at classy occasions to be inordinately tacky and juvenile))
plus, the taupe will have a tendency to disappear, thus making your legs looks longer.
July 2, 2010 at 5:46 am
aoifemcm
taupe.
July 2, 2010 at 5:55 am
Fawn
in typical selfish seamstress style go for the silver shoes. They go with the dress better! You want center focus as much as possible, bride aside, so go for the knockout choice! Love your blog btw, follow it daily:)
July 2, 2010 at 6:01 am
Angelica
Silver! the color match the dress, and I’m a sucker for bows!
July 2, 2010 at 6:26 am
AmyG
The silver shoes for sure. Good Luck with the alteration process, can’t wait to see the pics.
July 2, 2010 at 8:30 am
jayayceeblog
The silver shoes look great with the dress color and seem perfect for a wedding. Awesome dress — can’t wait to see your alterations!
July 2, 2010 at 8:34 am
lsaspacey
Taupe!
July 2, 2010 at 9:04 am
Aga
For a vintage look I’d suggest the taupe t-straps, but add some embellishment to the shoe (a bow/flower/button/etc) that would pull dress and shoes together colorwise.
PS. Love your blog, the fashion, the attitude – thank you.
July 2, 2010 at 9:14 am
Lee
silver!
July 2, 2010 at 9:19 am
fitz
in theory, taupe. much cuter shoes. in practice against the blue dress, silver.
July 2, 2010 at 9:50 am
Gayle Baker
Absolutely silver. Looking at the tones of the color- the blue and silver are both cool tones while the taupe is a warm tone. Usually doing a warm and cool in the same outfit just looks off.
I think the length is good too. I don’t think you need to shorten it.
I really hate your blog btw, but I’m forced to read it all the time to check out all the fantastic new things you come up with.
July 2, 2010 at 10:30 am
selfishseamstress
Ummmm. Gee, I don’t know what to say. Thanks for being forced to visit despite hating my blog?
July 2, 2010 at 10:57 am
Cennetta
My vote is for the silver shoes. And I must say, the dress is gorgeous, absolutely.
July 2, 2010 at 12:44 pm
DM
I’m in the taupe camp. I think they are neutral and let the dress pop. The silver compete for attention.
July 2, 2010 at 1:10 pm
Jessie
It’s hard to be sure of the color on screen, but in general I love taupe and grey-blue together! And they do make you look fabulously leggy. The silver with pastel is a little bridesmaidy, I have to agree.
July 2, 2010 at 1:55 pm
Kate
Love the dress. My vote is for the taupe – the silver shoes make the outfit look like a bridesmaid IMHO. Although obviously if you are a bridesmaid, that’s not a problem.
July 2, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Paunnet
Silver without a doubt!
July 2, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Gorgeous Things
Taupe. It’s much more modern.
July 2, 2010 at 4:11 pm
rachel
Absolutely the taupe.
July 2, 2010 at 4:24 pm
Carolyn
I hope I’m not too late for the voting – cause I vote for the silver!
July 2, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Stephanie
I love the dress, but I was wondering if it’s possible to remove the straps altogether? That dress would be drop dead gorgeous as a strapless number. For me the straps just seem to detract a little from all the beautiful draping on the rest of the dress.
July 3, 2010 at 7:40 am
Vintage dress rehab results « The Selfish Seamstress
[…] cocktail dress (and further questioned my impeccable taste- ridiculous!!), I pushed on with my vintage dress rehab last night, and it’s just about done. There are a couple more small tweaks I need to make […]
July 16, 2010 at 1:42 pm
amber
Goodness am I late to this party, but my vote would have been for silver.