Robin sent me a link to this pattern on eBay. The dress is certainly cute, but the stole is really something else. Something that I'm not sure needs to actually exist ... look closely; the ends of the stole are joined by what looks like bamboo rings to two dangling purse-pouches. With pockets on the outside. I suppose they're technicallly reticules, but they remind me of nothing so much as this:
I know there's a lot of clothing that lets you conceal weapons but I'm not aware of a lot of clothing that can be USED as a weapon. I mean, directly as a weapon, not like this:
I suppose it could be worse. The stole-purse-weapon-thing could be knitted ...


































I'm not overly keen on the bamboo rings, because I don't see the need for them, but I think the idea of adding pockets to the end of a stole - pockets that close securely - is absolutely freaking brilliant.
Posted by: La BellaDonna | 06/02/2006 at 08:53 AM
I'm with la belladonna on this one. It keeps the chill away AND eliminates the need for a purse AND since the pocket isn't on the dress, the line and drape of the dress aren't disrupted by things that get stuck in pockets. And since I'm a better knitter than I am a seamstress, your worst fears just might come true!!
Posted by: Ang. | 06/02/2006 at 09:07 AM
I made some shawls a couple of years ago with pockets on the ends - they are very handy! But, the whole bamboo ring thing is just weird. Designers gone wild, lol. I do love the dress!
Posted by: Gigi | 06/02/2006 at 09:09 AM
It's a combination stole, purses and bracelets--3 accessories in one! This particular style may not work but I agree that the idea of pockets in a stole is wonderful.
Posted by: Larkspur | 06/02/2006 at 09:50 AM
She moonlights as a milkmaid.
Posted by: Jonquil | 06/02/2006 at 11:04 AM
The dress is lovely, so classically girly. I like the hidden pockets on the stole, emphasis on the HIDDEN, but lose the bamboo rings. It's giving me flashbacks of a circus juggler!!
Posted by: robertajune | 06/02/2006 at 02:46 PM
Maybe this dress was designed for hiking! You can hold water bottles and whatnot in your stole.
Posted by: Sniper | 06/02/2006 at 07:13 PM
Jumpin' jeehosephat, I am loving this dress--and the stole with pockets. I'm sorry Dress a Day lady, but the stole with purse thing just got added to my xmas to-make list.
Posted by: Anonymous | 06/02/2006 at 08:38 PM
I dunno. Wouldn't you feel like a pack mule with the two saddlebags on the ends of your scarf? And if you accidentally swung that baby around too hard you could give someone a bloody nose.Handy weapon, though, if you're attacked by an...attacker...of some sort...
Posted by: jenny | 06/03/2006 at 01:14 AM
The dress is fantastic and I don't think the stole is all that bad - I'm not crazy about the pocket flaps, but the concept is great. I can even live with the rings, but not in bamboo. I think MJTrim might carry something appropriate in the purse handle department.
Posted by: Summerset | 06/03/2006 at 07:07 AM
Forget the stole/pocket issue entirely -- this is an adorable vintage dress with a 38 bust!
Posted by: Tailypo | 06/03/2006 at 09:39 AM
I like the dress. I love the 2nd picture. I just love glamour.:+)
Posted by: Floridaprincess | 06/03/2006 at 05:47 PM