Deco Vibe Diamond Life Dress

 I finished my first iteration of Hot Pattern's Deco Vibe Diamond Life Dress.  Trudy says that the idea behind the dress was to provide something stylish, a little edgy, but professionally appropriate that would be easy to throw on and wear in hellishly hot and muggy conditions.

This dress hits it outta the park on all counts. I can't wait to whip up a couple more in solid linens or a Japanese woven cotton design. It works as a dress on it's own, and it's easy to combine with a little denim jacket in chillier conditions.

This plaid, seersucker version is actually a 'wearable muslin'. Turns out the concept is Highly Controversial on the web......happily this one turned out. The fabric was on sale for $2.79, so i figured it was worth it to nail the fit, and if it was wearable afterward that's gravy! As it turns out i love the dress and it's wonderful to feel and look so pulled together when you're wilting from the heat.

The front bodice has a fairly wide overlap. I liked the feel of no buttons, and there's enough going on with the plaid. I ended up applying 6 1" velcro squares with topstitched "X-boxes". It works just fine as a closure and i'm digging the (very subtle) utilitarian feel.

To be brutally honest with y'all, i may have been a wee bit over exuberant on the footwear in this outfit. Crochet lace socks and flying bat patterned extra long laces? But i did get a lot of smiling faces looking at my feet. I figure a fashion faux pas is a small price to pay to bring a little happiness in this world.......

on edit: About the location: it's Moe's Books on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley, CA. i shot the photo myself using a timer while posing in front of the Fashion section (of course!)

From Moe's website:
"Since its inception back in the heyday of the Beatnik era, Moe's Books has managed to become more than just a great bookstore--it has achieved the rarified status of a beloved landmark institution as well. Situated just four blocks from the University of California campus, Moe's has managed to mirror the often turbulent and triumphant times that have come to epitomize all that is exciting and unique about Berkeley.

Founded in 1959 by Moe Moskowitz and his wife Barbara, the original site of the store was a small shop on Shattuck just north of University Avenue. He moved the store up to Telegraph Avenue in the 1960's, right in the middle of the Free Speech Movement and the famous anti-war demonstrations that put Berkeley on the political map."

read more here: http://www.moesbooks.com/


Dress: Hot Patterns Deco Vibe Diamond Life, made by me
Jacket, Belt: thrifted
Hat: Berkeley Hat Company
Socks: Sock Dreams
Boots: Bass Lamont
Bracelet: Justina Leigh on etsy