Mixing original with reproduction vintage (1920's)

[Paul]

I am interested in knowing your view about mixing original with reproduction vintage mainly concerning 20's fashions?

Why I am asking is that in the summer I had a reproduction of a early 1920's day dress made up.
While the seamstress made a great job of making it I was slightly disappointed (my fault ) as it just did not grasp the mood fully,
I felt it was a reproduction and thus Faux and lost interest in it. I am now having second thoughts about geting it out again!

I will post pictures later when the camera is charged up!

This is the photo I took to the seamstress .

Needs a good iron but here it is, I thinking of having black fur around the cuffs and hem and three pom poms down the side, also the neckline lowered to a vee neck and may be another material for the band around the waist as that make me look a little fat.
Any more or other suggestions welcome.

 

[katiemakeup]

If you asked her to reproduce and it wasn't what you thought, maybe SHE didn't capture the image... maybe put together with the right accessories etc it will do just fine!

 

[Fleur De Guerre]

I think in this day and age if you wanted to be dressed like that on a daily basis it would *need* to be reproduction by necessity, but it's still very possible to "grasp the mood" as it were. Think of film and Tv productions set in the 20s, much of the wardrobe and accessories are probably reproductions, but worn all together creates a perfect picture of women of the era. You just need everything put together like katiemakeup says. Even if the seamstress didn't get it exactly right with all the extras it would still look great, I'm sure.

 

[Paul]

SHE didn't capture the image...

Yes it was might fault because I did not explain things fully,

Been inexperience myself with fashions I possibly took it for granted that she knows more that she did about 20's style . that why I blame myself.
Thank you both for you encouragement that it might look OK with some thought and time.

 

[Daisy Buchanan]

Don't be so hard on yourself! With the right accessories, that dress will look great on you.
I do think it's completely the fault of the seamstress. I mean, you brought her that picture, she should have captured every essence of it.
I think your ideas for adding fur to the cuffs is a good one, and I like the thought of making it into a V neck. But, it is a lovely dress, and as stated, with the right accessories it could really look period correct.

 

[Snookie]

When I've tried working with the "pros" it get the right vintage look, they've generally had a very difficult time, whether it's women's clothes, menswear, hair, etc... I've realized that it's VERY VERY important to be clear and firm about what you want, even if they think it's "wrong". It really helps, when getting clothing made or your hair/makeup done, to have a clear grasp of what you want so that you can communicate your ideas -- otherwise your pro will do what they are used to.

Personally, I love modern repros, and I think it's fun to design outfits that are perfect for you within a particular era. I hope you don't lose interest in repros just because of one bad experience. I think you should do the changes you mentioned -- the v-neck, and adding lots of trim. Also, about the waistband -- is it hanging at the right spot in the photo? It looks too low. If you want to match the drawing it should start under the bust (Empire-style) and end at the top of the hips. That'll nip in the waist and slim down the look.

Have fun!

 

[Lady Day]

The good thing a bout modern repos is that you can get them in a breathable fabric, cut the way you want (for comfort, not lack of vintage style) and have way more than one at about the same price of an original that may not stand up to everyday wear and tear.

Did the seamstress just go from the picture or a vintage pattern? If just the pic, then I can see the issue you are having. Unless the iron will brin them out, I saw no pleats on the sides of that dress, also the empire waist trim is a bit 'costumy'. Again, ALL of these are easy fixes.

Good luck.

LD

 

[Mojito]

Hallo Paul! Even as I was reading your post and looking at the pictures, I was thinking along the lines of what you wrote in your final paragraph. I think you've hit it spot on.

When I bobbed my hair, I had a tremendous tussel with the hairdresser over the style - even though I provided front and side photos of the Dutch Doll bob and was perfectly clear on what I wanted. She could not help but overlay her own concept of what my hair should be rather than listen to what I wanted.

As for repros - I have no problems with them, particularly for some of the very delicate 20s dresses. Better to wear a reproduction than harm or destroy a fragile gown. I have a beautiful chiffon aqua tea dress trimmed in silver lace that has not a tear in it and fits perfectly...however, it is as delicate as gossamer, and I would never dare wear it to any sort of event. I've thought that I'd love to have it copied to wear (although where I'm going to find the lace trimmings I don't know!).

I'm also happy to mix an original period dress with reproduction accessories and vice versa - I don't have much option with shoes, given my big hoofs!

Let us see what you do with the dress, Paul - I'm sure it can be brought more into line with your original concept.

 

[Paul]

Thank you all, I am taking all the advice on board and will show you what happens as it comes to life in the way it should have been like, in my mind at least.

 

[Paul]

A before photo

This gives a better idea of what this dress looks like , I decided to take a "Before photo" so I can see the improvment s after I have it changed.
The pearl necklace is genuine 20's but every thing else is repro at this time.

 

[Mojito]

That looks so much better on than on a hanger! And acessories really do make it.

Looking forward to seeing your ideas for alterations carried out. The waistband - while it looks good on - does seem to sit lower than in the original illustration (ah, the early 20s, when the waist was still wandering around before it settled down!). Deeper V-neck is certainly more flattering (and true to the original), and the work on the cuffs and hem will look great.

Are you thinking of getting a fur wrap? The gray is nice, but a rich reddish-brown fur (faux or vintage, of course) would look lovely with that teal colour. And a neat little black cloche...I'd like to see one of the later 'skulls' from later in the decade, but an earlier one would work as well.

 

[reetpleat]

I think it was kind of a stretch. You took an illustration that was impossibly slim for any woman, and asked the seamstress to reproduce it to fit a very different body type. I think it looks nice on you, but not at all like the picture. How could it. You would have better luck to take a picture of someone in a dress that has a similar body type, or take a dress that fits you, and have it reproduced from there.

I am sure there is no shortage of beautiful dresses that would look smashing on you, and could be easily reproduced by a good seamstress, although the others are right in saying that you have to be firm and insist that they do what you want. They will not be used to the style and will either think they know better, or be lazy.

 

[Paul]

You took an illustration that was impossibly slim for any woman, and asked the seamstress to reproduce it to fit a very different body type. .

That is so true, if only I had a women figure! I am thinking now some firm foundation might help to pull me into shape but there would be only so much that could do as well.
I am now looking upon this as more in the style of than a faithfully repro it is just so comfy to wear But I did fall in love with the overall look of the shape of the dress.

I am sure there is no shortage of beautiful dresses that would look smashing on you, and could be easily reproduced by a good seamstress.

I am alway open to suggestions especially for a 50's outfit!

Are you thinking of getting a fur wrap? The gray is nice, but a rich reddish-brown fur (faux or vintage, of course) would look lovely with that teal colour. And a neat little black cloche...I'd like to see one of the later 'skulls' from later in the decade, but an earlier one would work as well.

Great suggestions... I have to think about them a little but I do like the idea of fur most likely faux but I do like real fur but it's not very PC today so who knows.

 

[BegintheBeguine]

Paul, I think the seamstress did a good job in recreating the illustration. I hope someone other than your adorable bunny gets to see the dress on you, it is very flattering! I found a faux fur similar to the one in the illustration but mine is from the early 60s so it seems to be a classic style. My fake fur came from the Salvation Army thrift store so maybe you will have some luck finding one, they are out there!

 

[Kaela]

I wear almost exclusively reproduction. I almost feel like wearing actual vintage pieces is wearing a piece of history, and therefore, you have a responsibility to preserve it. Although, giving it a chance to be worn again is sort of preservation (like displaying something keeps it alive?) But I know that I feel more comfortable knowing that what I'm wearing isn't so fragile. I think that making dresses from old patterns is just as good as vintage if made in the proper fabric. Plus, there's more personalization. Since most vintage pieces I find aren't in a fabric or color that complements me, I am more please with the pieces I make myself. If you feel that it's not authentic enough, like some others said, accesories would help it very much, especially appropriate jewelry.