Accessorizing, old style! The Dress Clip

I bought a beautiful floral vintage inspired dress last week and I wanted to alter the shape of the neckline. I remembered a clever little vintage invention which seems to have gone out of fashion these days; the dress clip.

Art deco 'Duette' £47 BraceletstoBuckles. Etsy.com

The Dress clip was used to hold back gathers of fabric or to add interest and detail to a dress. They were usually sold in pairs and many, when fastened together, formed a brooch (Duette). Clever huh?!
I wanted to achieve this effect with my floral dress so I came up with a few inspired ideas.

The dress is what I would call an Audrey style and can be worn slightly off the shoulder. I was trying to get from this (above) to more of a sweetheart neckline. I tried some clip on earrings in one of my local vintage shops but they didn't have a long enough back and promptly fell off (which is why authentic dress clips had little grippers on the back), so in leiu of real dress clips I tried a brooch or two...

TaDa!

The brooch proved a really good idea as I could hold all of the spare fabric tightly together. The only problem was that I don't have two brooches the same so I tried a different one on the other side.

 

This worked well visually, but the size of the brooch meant it kept poking me under the arm! I really need to find some proper dress clips, but it's a start!

It always amazes me how many clever and beautiful things things from yesteryear have got lost over time. I love being able to bring them back. Here's some vintage inspiration for you and a few rather glamorous and gorgeous dress clips I've spied recently on Etsy.

Wallis Simpson in dress clips (source)

1940s clips £24.87 Etsy.com

Filigree clips £5.89 Etsy.com

Grapes Clips £6.54 Etsy.com

Rectangular clips £9.16 Etsy.com

Makes you wonder what else our fashion paced, fast fashion modern world has forgotten about? Have a great Wednesday folks!
            x

Vintage Christmas Giveaway and Redressing's first birthday bash!

As it's approaching that magical time of year when thoughts turn to the true meaning of life, love and goodwill to all men. I want to show my support of the true Christmas Spirit of giving by having a Redressing Christmas giveaway!

I'm offering the lucky winner a little goody bag of Cath Kidston treats!

You have 3 chances to enter the giveaway!
1. Leave me a message here on the blog,
2. Tweet/share a link on Facebook to the blog (leave me a message here so I know you've done that!) and
3. Share a link and mention the giveaway on your own blog, (again, leaving me a message here also).

Easy!
The winner will be drawn at random on Thursday December 1st so you have plenty of time to enter!

In the meantime, don't forget this Friday is Redressing's 1st birthday bash! Champagne will be chilling and there will be a plethora of fab frocks and gorgeous gowns not to mention the gorgeous handmade, bespoke jewellery available to purchase. Whether it's a vintage button necklace, a swarovski crystal heart or a funky glass bead bracelet, you will find it all here on Friday! Contact me angie@redressing.co.uk for details, DM on Twitter or message me on Face Book!

Vintage button choker £12.50. Any colour made to order.

Handmade bead bracelets £8.

And much, much more!.....

The giveaway winner will be drawn at random on Thursday December 1st. Good luck and see you soon!
        x

Ladies Night November Madness!

Wow! What a month for Redressing November is turning out to be! As you will know from the side panel on the blog, we have lots of fabulous and exciting events planned this month so I thought I'd take a moment to share them with you. I've blogged before about what actually goes on at a Redressing Event, but this month contains a unique and somewhat milestone event in our calendar.

That's right! It's ....Ladies Pamper and Shopping night at St. Christopher's School, Allesley, Coventry on Friday November 18th and Redressing is the main attraction!

I'm busy planning an amazing Fashion Show for the evening with my wonderful Creative Director Sophy. We are showcasing all 3 of the Redressing Collections, so that's Everyday Glam, Posh Frocks and of course, my baby, Vintage Chic. I have 3 gorgeous, glorious and real sized models for the evening who will strut their stuff on the catwalk in outfits from all 3 collections and there will also be the opportunity for one of you lucky people to be a catwalk model for the evening and join us on stage! Yep, that's right, come along to the event (tickets £3) and purchase a raffle ticket for a mere 50p and if your name is drawn, you could be a Redressing model for the evening and be taught the moves and grooves by our very own Ex-Model Creative Director Sophy Walker, get a style-over and strut your funky stuff! We may even throw in a goody bag!

Can't wait to see you all there! And you may bring your own wine!!! Tickets available at £3 from yours truly; what does the ice-cream van say? "Stop me and buy one"!!!

(Oh yes, there's also Pampering By Karen, Fairy Elephant Designs, Adelle's cupcakes @Del-lite, Gifts from Angelique, Phoenix cards, Forever living beauty products, handmade toys...... and much more besides!)