A Dress A Day

A dress.
Mostly every day.

September 17, 2009

Announcing the Commencement of Shirtdress Season


Vogue 7887

This stunner is available at Cemetarian right now -- I really, really like this pattern. The soft shoulder, the round collar, the cuffed sleeve, the box pleats -- what's not to like?

This dress just says "fall" to me -- in a nice brushed poplin, made up in autumn-leaf colors, worn with sensible oxfords, scuffing through the leaves (not that I will get any falling leaves here in California, I think), going to pick up your library books ... you can see this, can't you?

The mustard-y brown in the illustration is a favorite color of mine, but I'm thinking more of a deep peacock blue, or even a jade green. I want jewel tones this fall. And gray, lots of gray. What do you all think?

Labels: , ,

posted by Erin @ 11:15 AM  

27 Comments:

  • At Sep 17, 2009 12:02:00 PM, Blogger Myra said…

    AB-solutely name a season of the shirtdress. In fact, we should make at least one each and post them to Sew Retro, etc. Maybe not a contest or sew-along, but make it known dresses are not dead.

     

  • At Sep 17, 2009 12:04:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I'm in for the shirtdress, and yes there will be leaves falling changing colors.

     

  • At Sep 17, 2009 12:04:00 PM, Blogger Teresa aka MarieSews said…

    You will get some falling leaves in CA, especially the Bay Area. Not like back east but there are some deciduous trees around that are in fact beginning to change color now despite the still warm weather.

    Do love that dress with pockets even!

     

  • At Sep 17, 2009 12:39:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Those dresses are very nice, like the dark colored one best. I too like that dress with pockets! I must have pockets cause I don't carry a hand bag & I always like to put my hands in my pockets. Both dresses are fall colors.

     

  • At Sep 17, 2009 12:41:00 PM, Blogger Packrat said…

    Mustard lady is thinking, "I'm glad I made the dress out of the fabric I did. That dark fabric must by scratchy, otherwise she'd be smiling."

    If you look good in the mustardy-gold - do it. Jewel colors are great, too. Also, I think a medium sized paisley pattern in rich fall leaf colors would be gorgeous.

     

  • At Sep 17, 2009 12:45:00 PM, Blogger Cookie said…

    Oh yes, I am in love with jewel tones. Rich (a term I think of as being darker) but vibrant. And the scenario you've describing I think needs a paisley scarf tied across the head and under the chin. Then when you get out of the leaves and into the library, you push it back so the scarf's around your neck and shake your hair out. Everyone will stare.

     

  • At Sep 17, 2009 12:48:00 PM, Blogger Ms. B said…

    Love that! Would be lovely in a dove grey fabric with cognac colored pumps with wingtip detailing. mmmmmmm

     

  • At Sep 17, 2009 12:57:00 PM, Blogger xstpenguin said…

    What do I think?
    YES. To all of it. :)

    Especially the peacock blue and the leaf kicking!

     

  • At Sep 17, 2009 1:25:00 PM, Blogger Serenity Love Sincere Peace Earth said…

    Im making this. Case Closed

     

  • At Sep 17, 2009 1:25:00 PM, Blogger Serenity Love Sincere Peace Earth said…

    Im making this. Case Closed

     

  • At Sep 17, 2009 1:25:00 PM, Blogger Serenity Love Sincere Peace Earth said…

    Im making this. Case Closed

     

  • At Sep 17, 2009 1:25:00 PM, Blogger Serenity Love Sincere Peace Earth said…

    Im making this. Case Closed

     

  • At Sep 17, 2009 1:37:00 PM, Blogger Latter-Day Flapper said…

    Heathered charcoal gray.

    Chili-powder red.

    Deep teal. I just bought yarn for a shawl that is the most beautiful shade of deep, clear, teal-blue I've ever seen.

     

  • At Sep 17, 2009 2:09:00 PM, Anonymous Theresa said…

    I whole heartedly agree..amythest for me! And Navy. And dark bumpking orange...

     

  • At Sep 17, 2009 2:10:00 PM, Anonymous Theresa said…

    Good Lord...I'm so excited I could not type properly...Pumpkin Orange.

     

  • At Sep 17, 2009 2:30:00 PM, Blogger What-I-Found said…

    Shaking your hair out...Cookie, you paint lovely word pictures.

     

  • At Sep 17, 2009 2:47:00 PM, Blogger Little Hunting Creek said…

    these are dresses for Serious Women, Women who are contemplating Serious Stuff, not flighty, girly thoughts. In jewel tones of COURSE. Also, I think, a rich, clear navy to go with the pearls.

     

  • At Sep 17, 2009 3:31:00 PM, Blogger the guilty party said…

    I like that the girl in the navy dress has hair the same colour as the mustard dress, and mustard dress' hair matches navy dress. Also explains the thoughtful expression on mustard dress' face. It's fortuitous they met and are standing so close.
    I also really, really want this for when I start my new term at college, it will go so well with my new satchel. Jade green would be luverly.

     

  • At Sep 17, 2009 4:26:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Hmmm, I wore a black shirtwaist dress just yesterday with a tweedy jacket over it. And I have a new pattern for a shirtwaist to make up in black with big white polka dots. I'm thinking red print facings, probably a smaller white polka dot. In my copious spare time, of course. --Karen

     

  • At Sep 17, 2009 6:50:00 PM, Blogger Sabayon said…

    That pattern illustration definitely is missing something with it's lack of library books. I would add some cat eye glasses and a soft grey cardigan to complete the blue stocking motif.
    If you get really desperate for fall leaves just head north. Here in Washington the trees have already begun turning and it makes for a stunning color contrast with the red-orange fall leaves up against all the deep emerald of the evergreens.

     

  • At Sep 18, 2009 12:38:00 AM, Blogger Jen said…

    Look for sycamore, ginko and liquid amber trees--you won't be disappointed.

     

  • At Sep 18, 2009 6:09:00 AM, Blogger Joni said…

    I would look like jaundiced death in a mustard yellow dress, and I'd never find shoes to match a navy one. But I'd be unstoppable in a shirtdress if deep peacock blue (THANK YOU to whomever suggested that one).

    Good thing this pattern's not my size, because I'm sure it's sold by now!

     

  • At Sep 18, 2009 6:34:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Jewel tones and gray are very late 80's, early 90's. Erin. You'll need to mousse your hair.

     

  • At Sep 18, 2009 8:55:00 PM, Blogger Schaz said…

    Very similar to Vogue's 8577 - http://www.voguepatterns.com/item/V8577.htm - which is in my To Sew stack right now!

     

  • At Sep 19, 2009 11:40:00 AM, Blogger Chantelle said…

    I definitely think it's the season of the shirtdress, and I do like this one.

    I'm in love with charcoal gray and dark heathered gray; I've been in love with these colours for years and this season I finally got some gorgeous fabric in them.

    I love navy and would think about making this or a similar dress in that fabric. I think I'd rather make up this dress in a peacock blue, a dark cranberry red, a royal purple, or a plaid. Plaid is my favourite colour, after all :)

    Erin, I hope that you get your sewing room unpacked soon.

     

  • At Sep 20, 2009 8:12:00 AM, Blogger Karin said…

    I'm with you on the jewel tones and especially the gray. I'd love that dress in those colours. I'm planning to make a dress for myself in grey wool flanel (after I finish my daughter's coat, which I am stalling a bit) and although it's not a shirtdress, I think it will be great!

    By the way, I just discovered your blog online and really like it. Keep up with the good work!

     

  • At Sep 23, 2009 5:41:00 AM, Anonymous Gracie said…

    Something I'm soooo curious about Erin, ever since seeing your shoe collection (which, I'm ashamed to say I showed my husband so he could understand it's not JUST me.)is how many dresses do you have in your wardrobe, and do you wear them all regularly or just a few times??

     

Post a Comment

<< Home