Thursday, July 1, 2010

Tiers of joy



Tiered ruffled floral dress: Laura Ashley;
Shoes: Tayla platforms, Target.
Photos by me.

I found this dress at Goodwill over the weekend, and I almost didn't get it. With the exception of my shoulder pad dress and my sequined top, the 1980s aren't my favorite decade for fashion inspiration, and this dress had multiple signs of it: Tiers of ruffles. Floral, strapless. Laura Ashley. But when I tried it on, I realized how well made the dress was with its boning construction, 100 percent cotton and sweetheart neckline. And with the photos taken in the setting of the farm park, the dress seems to jump from 1980s dance party to 1950s Southern garden picnic. It seems much more at home in the latter, and I'm glad I was able to see it in the context of my own preferences. This might be one of my best thrift finds and I can't wait to remix it. It just goes to show that even the strangest items on the hanger can look more beautiful when tried on -- so always  be adventurous and take it to a dressing room.

The photos on the porch are taken at the farm park's office -- I thought the swings and rocking chairs seemed perfect for the genteel look of the dress.


Happy Thursday,

signature1 by you.

P.S. There's still time to win a pretty red vintage scarf from yours truly! Check it out over here.


14 comments:

  1. Absolutely gorgeous photos. I love how the shoes change the vibe of the dress, too. You look lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I wasn't thinking '80s at all. The dress is so perfect and lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  3. this is very cute on you. It doesn't look 80's in the way you've portrayed it. You need a big floppy hat to go with it to look super Southern belle! ;)

    I think this dress is great on you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh, JoAnn! The dress looks lovely on you. For some reason, I want to shorten the first set of layers to give it more of a peplum. Not sure if that's your thing, but would make it less 80s looking--but it doesn't look dated. I think it's a great find!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ooh, I like Tien's idea about the peplum. The sweetheart neckline is gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  6. you are too adorable for words. that dress is beautiful and I'm glad you ended up going for it. I still can't believe the things that you find while thrifting. you certainly have an eye! it fits you so well and just screams summer. the photos on the porch are so pretty. :)

    xoxo

    thediscerningfashionista.blogspot.com
    enter the COACH give away this week!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Somehow it doesn't look "80s" to me at all---though, you're right, it does have those details. Looks amazing on you! What an fabulous find.

    ReplyDelete
  8. thats a really gorgeous dress! i love the tiers, very girly and sweet :)

    heyfancypants.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a lovely dress! It looks positively darling on you.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I can't believe you found a Laura Ashley dress! It looks fantastic. I love your blog! I'm your newest follower!

    Ramblings of a Small Town Girl

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am SO GLAD you bought it. That dress looks absolutely perfect on you, lady.

    ReplyDelete
  12. That dress is fabulous! I am so jealous of your find :)It actually looks compleatly modern. Black floral, even with an 80s tone, is always a go in my book!

    ReplyDelete
  13. That dress...is awesome. I probably would have put it back by itself but seeing it on you, it's fantastic. I can see a few different ways of wearing it for various occasions. I'm glad you ended up getting it!

    ReplyDelete
  14. This floral dress looks fabulous on you!

    www.thejoyoffashion.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Related Posts with Thumbnails