Elegant, classic work dress
This post is a story about McCall's M5269, a pattern I have no memory of buying but somehow I own.
I was seriously about to put this pattern in the Goodwill pile because I thought it was hopelessly early 2000's, and didn't think I could ever be contemporary or stylish for my 2012 tastes if I made it. But then I saw this on ModCloth:
Hey, when I see it made up, it's not too shabby, is it? I think it's something about the 90's-leftovers drawings on those pattern covers that make things look more dated than they have to be, sometimes.
I had just over a yard of really, super nice wool suiting that my mom or I had found at Goodwill for $3.99 or something. I swear, when you find fabric there, you can get some amazing deals if they have good stuff! I was in love with the dark grey for a work dress after I saw this J.Crew suiting dress:
I didn't have enough to make that style, but I did have enough for McCall's M5269. It was annoying because I just barely had enough for all the pieces in the size I thought I would be, and worried about making my seam allowances very small, etc. etc. Turns out, I put the dress on after assembling it, and it was mega-normous. Like, a sack. Quite unflattering. So, I had to take in all four princess seams (well, eight, counting the lining), two in front and two in back, so it was even. And re-do the hem.
This dress sat in my mending pile for quite a while waiting to be taken in, actually. If I'm being honest! But, I mustered up my motivation, and finally finished it!
I lined it fully in black china silk. It feels so nice to wear!
It'll be great for days when I want to feel extra stylish going to work. Pair with a blazer, maybe, or a structured cardigan?
How would you wear it? I'm thinking belted would also be cute... hmm, what shoes? Honestly I don't dress quite so dressy for work most of the time, so I'd love some ideas!