Sunja Link linen dress (handmade in Canada) | sold out, Gift from seven sisters boutique to review last year
Everlane form sandals
Marsell 4 Dritta bag | sold out, I purchased it on sale a while ago
Kathryn mentioned yesterday in a comment that I hadn’t worn my Sunja Link dress lately. Which is true. I don’t wear it very much, in spite of the fact that it is one of my very favorite pieces.
The problem is that it looks better standing than it does WEARING. You know what I mean, right? This dress has a really lovely look, fit, and drape while I’m standing, but as soon as I try to sit down, or walk very fast, all is lost. Not all, but I have to hike the dress up when I want to walk down the stairs (I could have it altered shorter, or have a slit created in the side to solve that problem – I really love the length), and if I sit too fast, I nearly choke myself on the neckline. So, if I am conscious of sitting, and positioning myself just right, then lifting my butt up a bit while at the same time pulling the front of the dress DOWN, wonderful, no problems at all.
But if you know me at all, all that fidgeting is too high maintenance for me. I’ve been known to purge pieces for lesser offenses like falling off my shoulder, or clinging to my calves.
That said, I love this dress so much. I put it on and I love the way it looks; the beauty is that it’s slightly oversized without looking huge. Until I try to wear it. The pattern is beautiful, and the only patterned piece I own. And it’s linen, so there’s that.
I’m wearing it today, if only to work at home and run a couple of errands. If I still just can’t deal and know I won’t wear it again, I think I’ll have it made into pillowcases for the throw pillows in my office. Is that weird? I love the fabric and the pattern and don’t want to get rid of it. The fabric is in perfect condition, and would make gorgeous pillows, and since one side is white with black palm prints and the other is black with white, I could have one colorway on each side. It’s sounding better and better by the second…
Do you ever end up with garments that look beautiful while you’re standing, but are hard to sit in, or actually WEAR all day?
And, have you ever had a dress or other garment made into pillowcases? 🙂
Yes, to the hard-to-wear garment. Right now mine is the Eileen Fisher System skirt. I guess it’s stretched a bit. When I wear it folded over it keeps sliding down my hips and looks a little bulky around my waist. When I wear it unfolded I have to hike it over my bust for it to stay up. I’m planning on wearing it to a wedding next month but I’m afraid I’ll keep fussing with it all day.
I haven’t had pillow cases made but I think that’s a brilliant idea! The pattern is beautiful!
How about a slit up the side and a small vertical slit at the neckline? Problems (possibly) solved! If after trying that out and you still don’t want to wear it around, then turn the dress into throw pillows. It’s such an amazing dress! And it’s linen! That said, it’s terrible to have something that you have to keep fussing with while wearing.
I could never wear something that chokes me (I hate things around my neck – can’t wear turtlenecks or short necklaces either!) but I love the dress, so I’d probably try tailoring the dress first before I thought about pillowcases. My taste in decorating and clothing aren’t really too similar so I haven’t considered actually using clothing to make pillows, but….My mom has! She made a ton of cute pillow covers out of thrifted sweaters a few years back. Great use for that fabulous cashmere sweater that cost $1 but has a hole or a stain or is too small…..
It sounds like you love the fabric, so definitely make pillowcases! Or, you could have the slit cut first and see if that helps, and then go with the cases as a backup. About a year ago, I bought a SUNO NY skirt from The Real Real in a size that I will never wear again, simply because I love the pattern so much. I have thought of having it made into a pillowcase, but for now, I have it draped across a small bench so I can see it every day. 🙂
This has reminded me I bought a beautiful wool full length kilt (Talbots, thrift store) in a size I’ll be unlikely to wear again – have wondered about trying to reposition the toggle & leather closures but maybe it would be easier/a better option to make pillow covers or upholster something with it…..
Oh I love that dress! I would probably put up with the inconvenience.
Gretchen, I meant to ask, how are you liking the Everlane slides? Would they be good for a lot of walking?
Not Grechen, but I don’t consider my Form Slides to be all-day walking shoes. Great for days where you’re in and out of your shoes a lot, but, at least on me, the spot where they hit my toe joint rubs and if I walked multiple miles in them they might blister. Of course, I also don’t consider Birks good walking sandals, unless they have a back strap like the Milano and the Rio.
The dress is gorgeous! The fabric and print look beautiful.
But I’m also interested in your sandals!
The Ever Lane sandals look comfortable and lovely. How do you compare to Birkenstocks?
they do not even compare. they’re great for puttering around in, but if i’m going to do anything involving any waking at all, i’ll wear birkenstocks, or my beek sandals. the everlane sandals aren’t NOT comfortable, i just have MORE comfortable shoes…
if i was going to wear sandals for walking a lot, i would wear my birkenstocks, i think they’re good enough for walking in generally. that said, if i’m going to log serious miles, i’ll wear my nikes, or at least my vince slip-ons, they’re super-comfortable.
oops. replied to kate 🙂
i wouldn’t recommend them for a lot of walking. i’d wear my birkenstocks for that, definitely.
Thanks! I’ve been curious about Everlane sandals. I hope to get to their Soho studio this year.
Btw love the dress. The fabric really is beautiful.
Thanks Grechen and Kate, that’s exactly what I wanted to know.
Hi Grechen,
This dress is awesome on you, the shape, the fabric and the print all equal a homerun!!
xoxogena
Has anyone tried the Sunja Link Apron Print Dress (in linen)? I’m really intrigued by it, but it’s final sale.
The Everlane Japanese Goweave Cocoon Dress is like this for me! I love it on, but because I’m not tall (5’4), the “cocoon” factor really restricts my movements. I have to hold it up when I go up stairs or walk at a moderately fast pace. I wish I could get it hemmed, but because of the hi-low hem I’m afraid it wont turn out well.
I had an orange silk dress with a feather-like blue/greenish pattern . It was a little too tight, and at some point I cut the offending thing apart and made myself a bag – without much of a plan or pattern. It worked surprisingly well, I still love the fabric and my eldest daughter and I use it frequently!
I’d say, go for the pillows!
In answer to your questions, yes and yes. But I was bemused by your assertion that this dress is more difficult than other long dresses……I ALWAYS have to pick up a long skirt or dress or palazzo pants when I use the stairs, and I normally do fuss a bit with anything that I’m wearing when I sit down (remember when men used to have to pull up their pants when sitting down?) So if this isn’t a problem for you normally, what’s your secret? Pls share with your clearly more awkward reader.
you might consider altering the neckline by opening it up by making the front a V neck and maybe shorten the dress to a top by following the scallop design at a length that doesn’t get stuck on your hips…better than pillow cases if you love the fabric…