Me-Made-March, Day 6
I’ve decided to try wearing clothes I hadn’t worn during Self-Stitched September, to mix it up for that group a bit. That means going through the wardrobe and pulling out things that haven’t seen active duty for a while… this black dress was originally part of an evening-y ensemble, that included a black lace overdress, which I cut up for something else at some point. Since then I’ve worn it as a petticoat occasionally, but not for much else. However, I should wear it more because it is a perfectly good dress by itself. The fabric is a thick glossy synthetic satin which does feel quite nice and ripply/flowy to wear. It’s real easy-care, just toss it in the machine. Er, actually come to think of it, I just toss everything in the machine…
I added some leftover black lace at the front of the bodice, so it wasn’t too plain. The straps are just out of skinny little satin ribbon, which combined with this type of fabric and the style makes the whole thing feel a bit lingerie-y, so it really needs a cardigan over the top, for public viewing. I think maybe I don’t wear it much because black isn’t really my thing. Putting a little neutral beige cardi over it is “me-ifying” it somewhat.
Why don’t I wear much black?… is something I think about sometimes. You see it everywhere. Lots of people wear a lot of black, a lot. And I don’t much. I associate black with funerals, and goths, and depression. That’s when I put it on myself. Paradoxically, when I see someone else wearing black, I often think they look quite smart. With-it, cool and out-there. Not always, sometimes I mentally wish serial all-black wearers would be a bit more imaginative, but usually black is a colour I like. On others. Just not on me. Weird, huh?
A big plus about black; it’s real easy to mix and match, and you can always find shoes to go with your outfit. When you’re into colours it’s a darn sight more challenging!
Details:
Dress; an adapted version of NewLook 6035? (I think?? it’s been a while since I made this thing…) black synthetic satin and lace
Cardigan; my own design, coffee and white net, grosgrain ribbon
So has the weather cooled yet??
You look good in black. I never/rarely wear black because I don't like it on me. I don't think it suits me too well – big blocks of black that is. Bits here and there okay, but not full black. This year I'm trying to be more into colour, and bright bold out there colour… not my usual safe colours.
BTW – I can't believe how many clothes you've MADE yourself!!! That is seriously awesome. 🙂
I have a black dress sorta like that… The fit and cut are great but it just always feels like undies. Maybe I should make a lace overdress for it…
I am one of those who wear too much black. Largely as a side-effect of hanging around goths… 😉 it is super versatile, though…
Nice outfit!
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Black is trickier than most people think. I think I remember reading in one of Trinny and Susanah's books that though the majority of people wear black it actually suits less than half the population. For 50% of people it is actually a drainer.
I agree that people who wear black look smart or 'cool' but I think they'd actually have the 'wow' factor if they're wearing colours that suit their colouring.
I think adding accessories or layers over the top of black probably bridges this.
I have that dress pattern and now that I think of it I have made two of the cowl neck ones and a halter one with frill. It's a lovely easy very flattering pattern.
I love the cardi … I have some of that net stuff but I am a little afraid to use it… I want to make a light little cardi and wonder if you have any tips. I have an overlocker but it looks like you didn't do the edges?? It looks great!
I don't wear black much either, I have black things but I always reach for grey or beige first as my neutrals
I used to live in black, and if it wasn't black it was another dark colour like ink, aubergine, or olive! As I've got older it doesn't look right anymore, and it is quite ageing next to the face so I sort of reserve it for skirts and trousers now. But yes – everything used to match!
I don't wear that much black, i think it makes me look ill, I do like it paired with bright colours though, like pink..Have a great week!
I love the look of your outfit…very pretty and feminine.
I love the picture of you barefoot and I think the cardigan makes the "fancy" fabric of the dress feel a bit more wearable. I have black but rarely wear an entire ensemble of it.
He he … I used to wear loads of black, but was not very "smart" – I just felt it helped me blend in to the woodwork more. My friend wears pretty much black all the time and she is very stylish. "It's always in style!" she says. I envy how put together she always looks. Sometimes now as I've aged I think black is too harsh for me, but I still wear it some, but now I like more color. Happily for my husband, he was always hoping I would.