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December 19, 2013

Baby, it's cold - and festively fashionable - outside!




Outfit details

Red and green hair flowers: Both from Arden
Silver tone metal and crystal earrings: Claire's
Black 1950s velvet stole wrap: etsy seller A Better Time
Vintage reproduction 1950s style red & white halter dress: Classy Dames from Blue Velvet Vintage 
White lace trimmed crinoline: Pettiskirt Style
1940s/50s white faux suede gloves: (probably) eBay
Faux leather bow clutch: Bentley
Black seamed nude stockings: eBay
Black faux suede round toe pumps: Wal-Mart
Lip colour: MAC Russian Red

Photography by Antonio Cangiano
 



































As a maple-leaf-red blooded Canadian, I like to think that I have a rather strong constitution when it comes to icy weather, and should I be dressed accordingly for such, I typically do. However, even I admit to being as chilly as a snowman in arctic on the evening a few days ago when we shot today's holiday ensemble photos. It was more than worth the Rudolph worthy rosy red nose, goose bumps, and chattering teeth though to find the perfect backdrop for an equally perfect holiday dress.

Blue Velvet Vintage, a top-notch online vintage, reproduction and vintage appropriate clothing and accessories shop, which I profiled in this post last July, has been - and continues to be - an absolutely awesome blog sponsor, and it is their resplendently lovely house line, Classic Dame, of vintage reproduction dresses that includes the knockout red and white 1950s style halter dress that you see here today.

Though this stylish frock wasn't designed specifically for the Christmas holiday season, it suits it marvelously, and I was elated to receive it as a review gift from Blue Velvet Vintage recently. I knew before it even arrived, that a dress of this caliber deserved an extra special location to shoot it against, but where, I wondered, would that be? After much brainstorming, Tony and I hit upon the idea of taking snaps in front a large Christmas tree made of out shimmering lights that greets visitors and locals alike in Kelowna shortly after they come into town.

As it's only lit during the evenings, when Christmas lights look their best anyhow, we buzzed up there after dinner one night and found a location (on the concrete ramp pathway leading to a foot traffic bridge across the always busy thoroughfare that is Harvey Avenue) from which we could safely shoot in this bustling urban area (and from which you could get a sense of what the background was).

Though I'd been thinking about what I might partner this beautiful red and white polka dot dress with for some time now, when the moment to do actually came, I ended up styling it pretty much on the fly, taking things in a different direction than I'd first had in mind (initially I'd thought we might shoot inside, but as such wasn't ultimately the case, I needed too add a couple of accessories to help fend off at least a little bit of the -7C chill that evening).

While this is a frock that you could wear any single day of the year, its colour palette is inherently Christmassy and as this was going to be my holiday shoot for 2013, I didn't hold back on adding to its seasonal feel. Rand green hair flowers, icicle hued crystal dangle earrings, classic white cloves, and touches of timeless black in the form of a velvet wrap and bow adorned faux suede heels all helped me feel as festive as jolly Old St. Nicolas himself.

This dress is a dream. Not only does it fit excellently (something that is not always the case with me and halter dresses), but it's made of thick, great quality 100% satin finish cotton, features a pleated sweetheart bodice with darling polka dot cotton pique fold over collar, lined bodice, sturdy metal zipper up the back, and a full skirt (measuring 27" long) that just begs to be twirled in (which I did to try and keep warm between a few photos).

Though I don't own as much repro as some folks, I have bought and also received a lovely selection of such pieces from various brands over the years and I honestly say, with complete impartialness (to the fact that I was sent this dress as review gift), that this delightful 1950s style halter dress is one of the best made pieces I've ever owned. There's quality workmanship at play here, as well as excellent materials, classic tailoring and an overall sense of quality that can't be beat.

In addition to the Christmas season, I know that thanks to the colours at work here, this is a dress I'll reach for often come both Valentine's Day and Canada Day as well, while also enjoying it on many a non-holiday day the whole year round (I'm thinking it would be a perfect choice to wear to next year's Peach City Peach Cruise in June).

I won't lie to you, it was mighty nippy out there that evening, but it was also incredibly lovely, serene in so as much as be had in such a high traffic environment, and rather magical. I've never done a shoot outdoors at night, let alone one set against a towering tree made of holiday lights. I will remember this night always, not simply because the weather was so invigorating, but because I felt positively alive with the Christmas spirit and was having a blast, even if my fingers, toes and shoulders were turning into Popsicles.

Nights like this, much like the holiday season itself, don't come along everyday - nor do stellar fifties style dresses like this one from Blue Velvet Vintage, and it was a rare and wonderful experience to get immortalize one on camera to look back on and always have as a beautiful memory of Christmas 2013 season.

43 comments:

  1. Wow Jessica, I love the dress! It fits you PERFECT!

    xoxo Little Miss Bamboo ~

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  2. I applaud your resilience for getting out in the cold for this shoot.

    I like the red with the green.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  3. You look absolutely romantic under that Christmas Tree lights! I sooo want do pull of an X-Mas inspired outfit! You definitely inspired me - as usual <3

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  4. Like a candy! You look awesome in red, that dress is perfct for christmas :))

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  5. Oh My God!! Amazing! Best blog-post of the year I've seen. Wonderful dress, terrific accessories, bright smile, perfect backdrop and skilled photography. An all-around winner!

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  6. You look amazing! That dress is gorgeous and is the proper holiday red. :) Soooo pretty.

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  7. Wow...what a find you have there! As you know, I adore red! Your dress is sensational, Jessica!
    :) Hope

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  8. brave girl! you look so lovely - sweet and sexy - in this shots!
    and how you stand the cold is after my (winterloving) heart :-)
    wish we could met for a holiday dance, i have a green vintage dress that would compliment yours so we can look like a set of x-mas baubles ;-)

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  9. You look lovely but also frozen - bloggers are a dedicated bunch! What a nice tree, and is that a Nativity in the far background behind the tree?

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    1. What an eagle eye you, have my dear! That is indeed a Christmas light Nativity scene perched on a building rooftop behind the towering tree of lights. Excellent spotting! The tree obscured getting a clear photo of it from where we standing, but I really love that it was still partially visible in some of the shoot, further adding immensely to the holiday environment.

      Many thanks for your lovely comment ~ have the absolute merriest of Christmases!
      ♥ Jessica

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  10. Oh this is so beautiful, Jessica!! That dress is divine (reminds me of one I like from ModCloth, actually), and your styling is perfect. You look so festive! And since I'm right across the lake from Toronto, I know how freezing you must have been -- but the effect is gorgeous!!

    xox Sammi
    www.thesoubrettebrunette.blogspot.com

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  11. Wow! You look gorgeous! And I would be so cold, but maybe I'm wimpy, lol. I am a southerner you know.
    What a fabulous look for you and your husband. He's a blessed man for sure.

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  12. Oh what a delightfully wonderful dress!! I really love the added polka dot effect too! Such grand colors and the fabric really lends itself to be photographed well! You took marvelous photographs for being outside at night. Very well done! Did you just use the camera flash? It really looks like you had a professional stand light. This is one thing I'd like to try in the new year is outdoor photography at night like this. The darkness really lends itself to a wonderful accent if you can light other areas to highlight. You know you kind of remind me of those charming little porcelain dolls you collect:) I bet you were certainly glad for your wonderful wrap too:) Did you get any passerby's admiring your outfit? I bet this happens to you a lot:)) I love that you did a night photoshoot, now go have Tony take you for a nice dinner and play:)

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    1. Hello sweet Joanna, thank you very much for your splendidly lovely comment. Your keen eye is spot on, there was more than just a flash at work here. We used an Apollo Orb (on stand) powered by two 580EX II flashes operated by radio triggers. Even with frozen fingers and a bit of wind (we sandbaged the stand), it took very little time to set up and take down and worked great for the busy urban area we were in (I'd say that probably 40+ people passed us directly by during the shoot, which was probably about half an hour long from the first moment of setting up until we got back to the car).

      Just about every passerby took note of what we were doing and a couple said lovely compliments, which is always touching to have happen. Later in the night, as we went about doing other things, my outfit garnered several other comments and compliments, the most interesting of which definitely goes to the person who said that my dress and I reminded them of Betty Boop.

      Yes, though it was more decorative than warmth providing, I was very grateful for that wrap (I also had my c. early 60s black fur coat, the one I wore for our shoot at the Pandosy Mission recently to wear on the way to and from the car). I don't think I could have had stood the cold as long had I not had it.

      Thank you again for your great comment. I (we - I always share comments pertaining to his photos with Tony) really appreciate your interest in the technical side of our shoots. It's awesome to have a fellow vintage loving friend to discuss such things with.

      Joyful holiday season wishes & tons of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  13. Love it! You look absolutely wonderfully festive. Yay! Christmas, Christmas, Christmas!!

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  14. This is MARVELOUS! I love what you've done with this outfit! I think it's a lot of fun to piece together Christmas-y outfits from what you have in your closet.

    xoxo
    -Janey

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  15. You look gorgeous. You sure are a devoted model too. I hate cold weather and no way cold I bear those temps
    Retro rover

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    1. Thank you so much, my sweet friend! While I wouldn't be game to do it every day during the winter, I don't mind shooting outdoors, ideally with warmer clothes on, at least a few times during the season. The backdrop of cool, muted hues that this season provides is to serenely lovely not to take advantage of at least a few times before spring returns.

      ♥ Jessica

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  16. OMG Jessica you look unbelievable! You look like you're ready for an Oscar party - worthy of standing next to Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly :) So beautiful! I love that dress and the shine! I love the collar as well - so lovely! Happy holiday to you and Antonio - the two of you have worked so hard towards the blog and the images are looking more and more amazing everyday! :)

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  17. Oh my gosh! This outfit is so wonderful!!! You look like you popped right out of a vintage Christmas movie. Seriously you should put the photo in black and white and then photoshop George Bailey next to you.

    Deborah
    Hellcat Vintage

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  18. Oh my word, aren't you just a vision of Christmassy loveliness? You look drop-dead gorgeous in this festive outfit.

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  19. Brrrrrr! You are absolutely correct--that dress is a dream and I can see why the night felt magical! I'm sure that the crisp air, the lights from the tree, the setting, and the first experience with a night-time shoot all made this night very special. Merry Christmas!

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  20. You look lovely Jessica, though I'm shivering at your bare arms!

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  21. woooow jessica, you look stunning, you remind me of the other jessica, jessica rabbit;) but with more class and glamour! what a dream dress!!! and what a perfect waist you have! perfect fotos!
    hope you have a wonderful weekend!
    love and kiss,mary

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  22. You look darling Jessica and cold ! I could almost shriver myself.

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  23. You look amazingly gorgeous, my dear! From your charming dress to the festive hair flower, and the beautiful view, you look like you could be part of a magazine spread! <3

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  24. Wow! You look festively magnificent! I love every part of this wonderful outfit. Your dress is dreamy and lovely!

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  25. Lovely festive photos, the lights make a stunning background. I like the way you have styled the dress. I think you did well not to just wear a big coat and say 'by the way, I have a lovely dress on under here'!

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  26. Beautiful outfit!
    Love the little details!
    http://balearaitzart.blogspot.com.au/

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  27. WOW! You look gorgeous! Absolutely love the dress. The polka dots are awesome :)

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  28. Minus seven! Oh, wow, you look amazing then. :) That's damn cold lady. I hope you had a thick and warm coat nearby. Love the dress, the red colour is adorable.

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet Sanne! It was pretty darn chilly indeed! My toes were the coldest part of my body by far. I did indeed have a warm c. 1960s persian lamb's wool and fur coat nearby to swaddle myself in on the way to and from the shoot location (which was a few hundred feet from our car).

      Happiest Christmas week wishes!
      ♥ Jessica

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  29. You look so lovely in this outfit. I think it's my favorite outfit of the year (and you've had some really beautiful ones!)

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  30. You're a fabulous model, Jessica!! And your hubby is a wonderful photographer. What I love most about everything you are fashioning, is that it can be worn any time of the year. That dress has a lovely vintage/rockabilly style to it that I adore. As of late, I've really been into the rockabilly look. I've even been thinking how I'd like a tattoo and maybe a nose ring.

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  31. You look absolutely gorgeous! Red is your color!!
    ~xoxo, CoriLynn

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  32. That dress is gorgeous and you look absolutely stunning! Seriously beautiful, I love how you pulled the whole look together with accenting matte black (your shoes and the velvet), along with the Christmas flowers. The backdrop is also lovely, and a wonderful contrast to your outfit. Thank you also for your very sweet comment on my post. I'm wishing you only the best for this Christmas and may it be filled with the warmth of your family. Enjoy the festivities!

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  33. Beautiful dress! You look lovely. Merry Christmas my friend! I hope you have a spectacular week full of food, friends and family. :)

    Lisa.xo

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  34. You look beautiful and these photos are lovely. What a beautiful dress. xxx

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  35. awh, you look so stunning here! i adore the red dress you are wearing and the gold tree behind you!

    lindsey louise

    hellomrrabbitblog.com

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  36. I love your sense of style! New follower, just in time for the new year! Alex

    tobebeautifulingodseyes.blogspot.com

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  37. The dress is stunning! Love it!

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