Brocade & Lace

This 1960's brocade dress arrived in the mail after an impulsive "buy now" click on Etsy a few months back. Black brocade, that's all it takes to get my attention. Well when it arrived there were two issues; it was a bit too big for me and I thought the neckline was super unflattering. After the dress hung neglected for a while, I finally took in the waist a bit, but what to do about the neckline?

There was really only one thing I could do, bring out the box of trims and have a good rummage. I had two short lengths of this spiky black polyester lace and tried to see what it looked like straight across the circular neckline. Not great it turns out. How about layered in a V? Ah yes, there's the fix!

Of course while I was wearing this ensemble (to lunch at a local cafe) the side seam split a tiny bit as I got out of the car, so back to the repair pile it goes! Ah vintage, so needy sometimes!

I paired the dress with some anachronistic accessories, as I am not much of a 60's gal usually. The shoes are of course my new black Marilyn's from Royal Vintage Shoes, while the leather belt and clutch were thrifted finds. I have been waiting to wear this fun glittering arrow brooch for a while, though as it is slightly curved I suspect it was originally intended to be worn on a hat. The "apple juice" colored plastic earrings are not real bakelite but they fake it rather well and match the brooch perfectly.

It is October after all, I had to pull out the black lace at some point right?

Dress: Vintage
Shoes: Royal Vintage Shoes
Tights: What Katie Did
Handbag, belt, & jewelry: Vintage