(Hmmm. I’m loving the side poses lately…)
Goldsign Virtual high-rise jeans | size 29
Raquel Allegra slip dress | size 2 (white at La Garconne)
Robert Clergerie frazzia sandals | on sale at Avenue32, La Garconne (I feel like they run a teeny bit smaller than usual)
Following a discussion on tailoring on a recent post, I decided to suck it up and take a couple of things to the tailor to be hemmed: my Goldsign skinny jeans and James Perse leggings. I have shied away from tailoring things the last several years because nearly every time I get a pair of jeans hemmed, I’m not satisfied with the results, and tend to not wear them again (If you’re petite, you probably understand this feeling – hemming jeans, especially bootcut, straight, or flared jeans changes the line of the leg, and they never look the same). So I just roll up or under my hems to the desired length and go about my business.
Of course, I’m never quite happy with that result either, because it feels wrong, and doesn’t ever look right.
But, I understand the value of tailoring, and appreciate the work a good tailor can do (my mother worked as a seamstress when I was very young, before she went back to school), so I decided to try again. And I am incredibly pleased with the results. I had her do a “sandwich” original hem on my jeans, and even though she told me they’d flare out a bit if she re-attached the hem, I never want to loose the original, so I asked her to do it anyway. She was right of course, but I don’t think I mind it. I won’t do it again, I think, for skinny jeans, now that I know.
The leggings turned out beautifully as well; I only needed about an inch taken off, but it makes all the difference.
Now, I feel better about taking a few more things, starting with this Raquel Allegra slip dress. Ideally, I’d like her to put sliders on the straps so I can adjust them easily myself (I’m thinking this is something they can do??), because I want to be able to wear it as a dress, and then as a tunic with jeans. Here, even though I already shortened the straps about an inch and a half myself, I have them shortened even MORE by an inch and pinned up so it works with jeans. This way though, I’m not crazy about how high up under my arms it is, and I prefer the neckline a bit lower. But I’m not sure there’s much we can do about that. Anyway, I’m going to take it in and see what she can do, because I’m in love with this dress, and want to wear it like this, layered over pants/jeans and a sweater. Or not. By itself works okay too. And maybe she can take the sides in a bit?
I’m so excited I did this, I feel like new doors are open now! Why did I wait so long?? I did find this tailor soon after we moved to the Dallas area a year and a half ago, but had only taken one piece. Incidentally, my method for finding any service provider is VERY comprehensive and drawn out, requiring a lot of research and asking around. Of course I would do this…me and my over-analysis…so to find the tailor I asked someone at Steven Alan where they recommended to take denim for hemming and they mentioned Unique Tailor in Dallas. Of course, I couldn’t leave it there, so asked a couple more people who work with high-end denim and they mentioned the same place. Done.
So excited to read that you had a good tailoring experience! It really can make all the difference in whether an item is in your regular rotation or relegated to the back of the closet. If you have lots of extra strap on that dress, they should be able to put sliders on it, but the strap has to be long enough to double under, if that makes sense.
I allocate $30/month for tailoring, which usually covers three pieces. I keep items that need some help on the back of a closet door and work through them as I can afford it. Now if I could quit making a mistake that Debbie Roes has pointed out many times – buying something that’s wrong (particularly at thrift or consignment stores), investing in tailoring, and then STILL having to ditch that item. It’s a work in progress, but at least I am now more aware of these mistakes.
there is SO MUCH Extra strap on this dress, it’s not even funny. at least three inches, maybe four. actually, when i bought it it had about an inch extra anyway, which is smart, so that it could be customized…
i do believe there are some things that are “beyond help” actually, especially for me, with my weird body LOL – but it’s hard to realize that. this dress may be one of them, but i’m going to try a little harder to make it work! i think it’s just not the best cut for my body. i can always layer it though, even if i can’t wear it as a dress…
Love, love, love this look! Dresses over jeans is totally my fave 90’s trend. I’m pulling out dresses and jeans from my closet immediately!
Haha! Me too!! Love layering like this. It’s not always easy to pull off though LOL
FWIW, I think that dress looks GREAT on you! I love strappy stuff, although in my 50’s I usually save it for vacation (i.e. people I’ll never see again.) The neckline and straps makes your neck and shoulders look so graceful, and I like the overall shape on you. If only we could see ourselves the way others see us, right? Hope you can find a way to make this piece work, since you seemed really excited about it when you got it. This time of year in Texas, a loose sundress is a treasure.
thanks 🙂
i like it too, and think it looks fine, just maybe that it could look a little “better” you know? i’ll make it work, definitely!
What a fantastic idea! Ask your favorite store. That is the best advice I’ve heard since, “How do you choose a therapist?” (Answer: Ask your favorite Doc who she would go to.)
I love the way you styled this. I think I’d feel less “naked” than I assume I might in a slip dress.
AGREED!!!