Oh Schiap!

I'm saying both "Oh Schiap!" as an expletive, as this pattern (at Fuzzie Lizzie) is too small for me (it's B32), and "Ohhhhhhh Schiap!" as a kind of half-uttered dazed moan because this is absolutely beautiful. Without peer. The kind of dress that makes you think that there must be something to the notion that designers don't think the same way you and I do.

It's hard to tell, but if you look closely you'll see that THERE'S NO WAIST SEAM. Seriously, the front and back are each all one piece (it looks like) with a kind of shaping insert on the sides. That's gotta be a bitch and a half to sew but ... look at the results!

Not only is it too small for me, it's $80. But it's worth it. If it were my size I'd be on it like a shot. I'd make it in a heavy silk -- tawny yellow, lion-colored, or maybe a deep cafe-au-lait, or perhaps a grass green. Or even the dusty peacock of the pattern illustration. Something unusual, to be sure, and, for once, not a print. Nothing to obscure the lines of THIS dress!

Thanks to Lisa for sending me the link!

Quick note: because of nagging on the part of somebody and a hope that it will help pay my overuse charges at my host, I've added Google Adsense ads. I promise not to just start randomly mentioning high-demand, high-end brands like Prada, Marc Jacobs, Jimmy Choo, Burberry, Coach, etc. just to garner those big-dollar keywords. Seriously. I don't even LIKE Coach now that they're all-brand, all the time. Logo bags SUCK. Nor will I mention other stupid logo brands like the ubiquitous Louis Vuitton. C'mon -- if you are fifteen and all the rest of your clothes came from Delia's and Alloy, do you really think you're fooling anyone with that fake LV logo bag? Stop buying knock-offs (and start buying something age-appropriate). Sigh. See what happened? I was all happy, talking about Schiaparelli, and it turned into a these-kids-today rant. While I'm being cranky, can I complain about the ugly 70s-throwback shoes?
These are so ugly I won't even give them a full-size picture! I swear, my CCD teacher in fifth grade wore these. And so every time I see them I want to start belting out "On Eagle's Wings." It's a serious problem! I can't reach those high notes anymore! Good thing there are still shoes like this (which not quite so incidentally would look WONDERFUL with this Schiaparelli dress:

Now THERE'S a shoe that deserves a full-size picture. (They're really cheap at Gotham City Online. Go ahead, click!)

Comments

[Anonymous]

This bow theme reminds me that I wanted to ask you if you, Miss Dress-a-Day, or anyone else in this venerable forum had seen Carol Lombard's crazed, starched, winged white dress in "Hands Across the Table." I think, in some sense, it was supposed to be a manicurist's uniform (she wore it twice to her job at the barber shop). It took my breath away, but I honestly can't say if the oxygen-robbing culprit was love or horror. Anyway, I can't stop thinking about it. (Looking for a .gif to share, but can't find one.) -enid

[Cambric Tea]

I'm glad you'll have ads. And I'm glad that it sounds like they may even be useful-to-me ads. Good for you!

[Anonymous]

Sob! The shoes only go up to a size 9. For all of those folks who fantasize about being tall, one of the things (well, two of the things) that come with the territory are really. big. feet. Oh well, there's lots of great shoes on that site, so I am sure I will console myself with something.Amy

[Anonymous]

Franco Sarto (and Gotham City) rock.Amy--I wear a size 10, but the last pair of shoes I bought online (from Gotham City, actually) I had to send back for a 9.5. Shoes are, apparently, getting larger.--Lydia

[Anonymous]

Have you ever tried to explain to a 15 year old that her friends purse really isn't real and that her mother isn't being mean and not buying her one to spite her? I love your thoughts on it!

[vintagecrochetgirl]

Hey I like "On Eagle's Wings!" I decided I want my sobbing brethren to sing that song at my funeral. It's auplifting, optimistic hymn. As for those shoes, I like 'em. Just not in black. They're very retro. I just wonder how comfortable they are. They look a little stiff. My bunion would hate 'em.

[Ruth Singer]

yup, looks like seaming hell. I was just inspecting a 50s jacket in a vintage shop which was all made in one piece - front and back. going to spend the holiday with pieces of paper and swearing a lot while I work it out.I love the standing back collar on the Schiap too. I'll be using that sometime...

[flea]

I love this dress, but all I can think is, "Oh god, the girdle required!"

[Anonymous]

But...the fact that there's no seam makes it perfect to show off a beautiful print! No matching!

[Becky O]

Amy, I hear you... I am proud to be tall and have exclusive size 11 feet!I would also die to get a peek at that dress pattern. Really, no seams?

[Liesl]

That is a gorgeous dress, and it's totally worth the money for the pattern. I'd love to see the pattern. Sorry it's the wrong size!

[Floridaprincess]

Erin sorry its the wrong size. It is lovely tho.

[dancer]

this dress is beautiful! As for shoes? the options are not any better at the other end of the size spectrum - try finding grown up shoes in a size five!

[Rebecca Kessler]

Does anyone else feel that this dress (or a variation) would make for a beautiful mother-of-the-bride? As a gown designer focusing on all things wedding, I am appalled at the offerings for mothers today. Where is the shaping? Where is the delicate showing-off of neckline whilst demurely encasing not-so-well preserved features? Where is the woman's BODY in all these crepe sheaths with sheer beaded jackets??? *sigh* I would love to see this attention to a mature woman's body return...

[Rebecca Kessler]

PS: as for the one-piece jacket, I just drafted on as a bolero for evening use; it's really not so hard... tape all pieces together at the shoulder and cut with center back seam on the fold. This works best for 3/4 length sleeves, otherwise you need wide fabric.

[Ruth Singer]

thanks rebeccakes! It was 3/4 sleeves, so that should work. I'll try it soon. I quite agree about showing off a woman's figure, whatever the size/ age. I made a fitted jacket for my friend's wedding - she hadn't worn anything that fitted her bust for many many years!

[Sara]

I love the dress. Love love love. And that sample color is to die for!Love the shoes too, but I have man-feet (thanks, Dad!) and open-toed heels just look wrong on me. :-(

[Ms. Kat]

I love this pattern but I rue the day I became much too big for anything that is B32. Sorry it doesn't fit you either, Erin, cause it is PERFECT for you.

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