Sunday, April 20, 2008

Saucy Seventies or Mod Maid?

So, I was totally in the right place at the right time when Cidell got a shipment of vintage patterns from eBay, because one of them was exactly my size:



They used to make patterns for women 5'2"-5'3"? I was really born too late. Anyway, I LOVED the giant pockets, and the keyhole neckline, and the princess seams, and everything about it really. I instantly saw it in black with polka dot contrasts. The polka dot fabric also came from Cidell. She spoils me, I tell you.

I made it up this weekend and it caused me all sorts of quandaries. First, I wasn't sure whether to put sleeves on. In favor of sleeves is that it's black, it's (tropical weight) wool, and I envisioned it with sleeves. Against sleeves was that it's already warm here so I likely won't get to wear it until Fall, and I wanted this dress for my Paris wardrobe and it seems like Paris might be too warm for longish sleeves by the time I get there. I finally decided to go with the sleeves as planned and I think it was the right call.

Except now I'm concerned about the pockets. I'm afraid they make it look like some sort of futuristic maid uniform from a 1950s sitcom. I didn't think of the hazards of black and white!

So, what do you think? I'm leaning toward one low pocket, but in the photos it doesn't look as cute as it does in the mirror. The high pockets are the suggested placement. Their advantage is that they are tummy disguising in that position, but it looks the most like an apron/maid uniform that way. It actually might look the best with no pockets, but is that any fun at all? Hmmm. It's troubling me. I'd like to get this project done. Help?

31 comments:

Meghan said...

I vote no pockets! It's really cute and classy that way.

Jeanette said...

I second the vote for no pockets, the dress is SOOOO cute!

Sigrid said...

No pockets here too. Lovely dress, and the black/white on the neckline and sleeves are enough to make it special (imho).

toy said...

no pockets, I think they will look so overwhelming on your petite body type.

Birgitte said...

Do you have enough black fabric to make pocket(s) with piped or banded contrast? I think that might look mod, I'd certainly test it. If not, I'd go for no pockets.

merel said...

black pockets! or none. the black & white pockets make it too costume-y I think

Vicki said...

No black and white pockets. But how about black pockets with the polka dot fabric as a binding on top - about the same width as the neck and sleeves?

cidell said...

Oh good lord. No pockets. At least not in the polka dots. Cute dress btw.

Shannon said...

No pockets for me too! The dress looks so much more sophisticated without them.

Anonymous said...

No pockets! I like the idea of pockets but I think the dress looks better without them. I don't even think black pockets would add anything. The dress looks cute just as it is.

loopylulu said...

I think either no pockets or make them smaller. Maybe you could add a black band to the top of the pocket to lessen the effect.

Big Sis said...

Actually, I kind of like it with the one low pocket. Cute!

Sew-4-Fun said...

Another no pocket vote from me. I love the dress btw! Very stylish.

Rose said...

It's a very pretty dress! my vote: 2 smaller pockets, and cut the pockets on the bias (i have no idea how much the pocket will stretch). Or no pockets. it would be nice to bring the polka dots down into the dress somehow. Maybe the black pockets with polka dot bands?

rosanne said...

My first thought was "no pockets," and I can see from the comments, that seems to be the consensus. Or, if you really want the pockets, I would second the recommendation for black with a contrast band the same width as your sleeve band. The contrast pockets just look too childish and really distract from the lovely neckline detail and otherwise very classic dress.

jules said...

I would vote for one low pocket, but then I have lived here in Japan for a while so am used to a certain cuteness being perfectly acceptable. Probably the more sophisticated style is no pockets - but I still think the one low one would suit you!

Anonymous said...

I think the pockets are way too big. they look cartoonish. Maybe a smaller one in black with a top band in the print?

Dawn said...

No pockets. Or, I like the black pocket with black.white piping idea.

Miasews said...

No pockets!

Keely said...

Another vote for no pockets. Lovely looking dress.

Claudine said...

2 pockets, low. You need to re-cut the pockets so they are narrower at the top than at the bottom. This will have a slimming effect. Did you watch Season 2 of Project Runway where Chloe did a shift with low pockets in contrast fabric? It worked because the pockets were narrower at the top.

Lisette M said...

Ok I'll add my two cents...I think the dress looks great with no pockets, if you really want pockets I would make them in black.

Melissa Fehr Trade said...

hmm I'm thinking it's the contrast that's just too much on the pockets. I'd say to make the pockets (2, high placement) in black but use the contrast fabric to pipe the edges. So you get a thin line of them, but just not so in your face...

When are you going to Paris, btw? If you've got a stopover in London I'll show you around town!

melissa @ fehrtrade.com

Nneka said...

No pockets, with 1 low pocket in black (maybe with contrast piping) in a far, far, far distant second.
Love the dress on you, btw! And can't wait to see your write up from Vietnam.
-Nneka

Christina said...

I say, nix the pockets, makes the dress look too busy. If you want pockets for their functionality though, how about in the black fashion fabric?

NancyDaQ said...

No pockets, or black ones. The print pockets do you no favors.

Karen said...

One more vote for no pockets. They take away from the shape of the dress, which is really cute.

MissMootles said...

I vote 2 small black pockets, banded with small polka dot bands. After all you liked the pockets in the pattern so much to begin with. This continue the polka dot theme, but not be overwhelming.

Sally said...

No pockets - they are distracting from the rest of the dress. Perhaps if you want pockets, you could do them in the dark fabric, so they aren't so distracting.

Claire said...

I agree with everyone.... no pockets or small black pockets with the print trim. The pockets are simply way too big.

Marji said...

Why buck the flow?
No pockets!