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November 25, 2015

I found my dream 1950s fall dress (and have been wearing it all season long!)




Outfit details

1930s/40s wide brimmed red straw hat: Frugal Frocks in Armstrong, BC
C. 1940s black hat pin: From a different vintage hat
Black rhinestone encrusted earrings: (I think) Claire's
Black thin knit cropped cardigan: Fairweather
1950s red, orange and black plaid double breasted dress: Wiggle Room Vintage
Vintage style wired pumpkin bead brooch: Summer Blue Jewelry
Brown 1950s gloves: Unknown, had for years (probably eBay)
1950s/1960s red handbag: I Love Vintage Stuff
Black seamed nude stockings: eBay
Red patent faux leather pumps: Payless
Lip colour: MAC Russian Red


Photography by Tony Cangiano






























































Yes siree, this fabulous fifties frock checks off so many boxes for me. It's plaid, one of my three favourite patterns of all-time. It's midi length (the most flattering hem length on me), it's double breasted (something that I utterly adore on fitted mid-century dresses), it's in great shape, and it boasts the most autumn perfect colour palette imaginable.

I'd be hunting for a dress in this colourway for age now and was elated to find one shortly before fall started this year from Etsy seller Wiggle Room Vintage. It fits me like a glove and still has its original matching belt to boot. To say that I'm a happy camper, would be a serious understatement!!!

From September straight on 'til these last days of November, I've been sporting this gorgeous 1950s plaid frock - it was even one of my Canadian Thanksgiving weekend wardrobe choices this time around. Indeed, with my dear American friends celebrating their own Thanksgiving this week, it seemed only fitting that this new dress of mine made an appearance here, before autumn complete vanishes from sight once again.

To keep the fall time theme going strong, I partnered this fabulously festive dress with a super cute mid-century style pumpkin wired bead brooch that I picked up last spring from Summer Blue Jewelry, whose offerings make me go completely week in the knees and which look the old school part marvelously.

Much like the dress itself, I'd yearned for a sparkly, 1940s/50s appropriate autumn themed brooch for years and was thrilled to find this one. I adore supporting artisans in our vintage community midst, own a few beautiful handmade pieces from Summer Blue now, and hope to add more to my jewelry box as time goes on.

I really wanted to keep the colours at work in this outfit cohesive and thus opted for a beloved red 1930s/40s wide brimmed hat, black earrings, a black cropped shrug/cardigan, red bag and shoes, and brown gloves (there are skinny golden-brown lines in the pattern of the plaid). It was windy (again) on the day we took these snaps in the nearby town of Osoyoos, but thankfully the sun was out and I didn't freeze without a coat here (something I won't be able to say, baring a fluke warm snap, as we head into winter next month).

This whole look makes me immensely happy and sums up my fall time style to a tree. It's fun, comfortable, feminine, and truly ideal for this season. I love this 1950s plaid dress to bits and look forward to continuing to wear it for many more autumns in the years ahead!

*PS* Absolutely joyful Thanksgiving wishes to all of my American friends and readers who are celebrating this terrific holiday tomorrow. 

*PSS* Things are going marvelously so far here in Vancouver and I really look forward to sharing some of the highlights of our travels once we're home again. 

77 comments:

  1. What an utterly charming outfit - from the sweet hat on top to the darling pumpkin brooch! This dress suits you so beautifully and I love how you've brought together the colour tones into this final outfit. Outfit perfection, as ever :) Glad you're enjoying Vancouver! x

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    1. You're as sweet as they come, dear CiCi. Thank you very much! Hard to believe that this outfit post will be my last heavily autumn themed one for another year. How quickly this resplendent season passes us by each time it briefly rolls into town. I can't think of a more festive note to cap it on though, so I'm not complaining - just wishing we could have at least a few more weeks of autumn to savour. Alas, winter is out already and with it a new crop of (layered!) looks for the chilly season.

      I hope that all is well on your end this week and that you're having a splendid tail end of November!

      Huge hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  2. Mmm, perfection. I love all those colours and just looking at this dress warms me up!

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    1. What a wonderfully lovely compliment, sweet lady. Thank you so much! Seeing these snaps does that same for me, too, which is definitely a good thing as we've got winter-like weather these days.

      Many hugs & happy last week of November wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  3. Dear Jessica,

    You look adorable - from head to toe! I love your outfit for all the same reasons you do. Oh how I love autumn colors. Perfect dress for celebrating Thanksgiving Day!

    Thanks for the lovely holiday wishes. I am so excited about Thanksgiving - my favorite holiday!

    Today is my baking day, what fun for me!

    Thinking of you,
    ♥Hope

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    1. Hello dear Hope, what an awesome treat to receive a comment from you and to learn in turn that you'd started blogging again. That's marvelous news and certainly a big Thanksgiving week treat unto itself.

      Thank you very much for your splendidly nice comment and for alerting me to this fact.

      With all my heart, I wish you and yours a beautiful, serene, blessed Thanksgiving celebration!

      ♥ Jessica

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  4. Wow, this is so bold and gorgeous!

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet Kira. I'm smitten with the bold hues here, too. They're my all-time favourite sort for fall and ones that I crave all through the other three seasons (where they can still be worn, of course, but they don't tend to suit any the others as perfectly as they do autumn).

      Big hugs & happy Thanksgiving week wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  5. Congratulations on finding your dream dress! You look fab!

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet lady! Isn't this dress delightful? From the palette to the length to the double breasted buttons, I couldn't possibly adore it any more than I do - and am so glad this was the outfit I could wrap up another fun filled season of vintage autumn outfit posts with.

      Oodles of hugs!
      ♥ Jessica

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  6. everything about that dress is perfection!

    Kariss
    www.shystrangemanic.com

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    1. Isn't it though? I wish I could clone it in equally well suited colour palettes for each of the other three seasons, too - plus about five hundred other colours and patterns! :)

      Thank you very much for your wonderfully nice compliment. I hope that you're having a great tail end of November!

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  7. Oh Jessica.....that dress!!!! This dress is definitely a dream fall dress, I can see why you have been wearing it so much:) Loving how you paired everything together in this ensemble!
    -Madison
    www.1minniemuse.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you very much, honey. Isn't it a great frock? So vibrant, bold and evocative of the decade it hails from. I'm really happy that I could cap off this year's slew of fall fashion looks with such an incredibly autumn perfect vintage dress.

      Many hugs & joyful Thanksgiving week wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  8. this dress is amaaaaaaazing! The whole ensemble reminds me of a spicy cup of cider- so fall!

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    1. That's awesome comparison! Thank you very much, sweet Shauna. I adore apple cider and will be beaming all night thanks to your lovely comment.

      Joyful Thanksgiving wishes!
      ♥ Jessica

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  9. The large print/warm color plaid though!!! I'm such a fan!
    I recently found a very well fitting flannel western blouse that is very similar to this and such warm and festive fall things make my heart sing!

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    1. Great find! Plaid and autumn are such a marvelous match. It's too bad we don't live a whole lot closer to one another, I bet we'd make for a pretty cute pair decked out together in our red plaid garments. :)

      Many hugs & happy Thanksgiving wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  10. Fantastic outfit, you look very pretty! I would like to make a plaid dress someday, but I have a hard time finding fabric in a colourway that I like and that suits me. Your dress, however, is perfect. I love these autumnal colours!

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    1. Fingers firmly crossed that you find your ideal plaid one day. If one is proving really, really elusive, perhaps a similar pattern, like windowpane or houndstooth, would fit the bill for you.

      Thank you very much for your wonderfully nice compliments, dear Iris. Have a terrific last weekend of November!

      ♥ Jessica

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  11. i have no words! just "LOVE THIS DRESS"!!!!
    and of cause your fabulous styling! awesome photos!!! sighhhh......
    and by all the beauty of the dress - it is soooo wearable! this ist actually what i love most about the vintage stuff!
    xxxxxxx

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    1. Isn't it though? That is a great point about vintage and certainly one of its most enduring qualities to me.

      Many thanks for the fabulously nice comment, lovely Beate. I hope that you guys are doing great and enjoying a mild, sunny tail end of November.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  12. I love it how you always rock a fabulous hat with your outfits. I have been collecting and coveting vintage hats for years, but still mostly I seem to go without, or opt for the plain beret (especially in the cold season). It seems to be a bit easier for me during heat wave because then I must cover my head to prevent heat stroke. It's always nice to see these fantastic hats in use. And the dress is fantastic find aswell!

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet Rhia. Hats are by far one of my favourite accessories and I definitely delight in wearing them the whole year through. This week, for example, I'm in Vancouver and brought a combined total of more hats with me than days I'll be here (lol, no, I didn't pack super light, but I didn't go overboard either, I just wanted to be prepared for an array of activities and types of late fall/early winter weather).

      Thank you very much for your lovely comment and compliments - you can always bank on hats being frequent wardrobe players here. :)

      Many hugs & happy end of November wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  13. When a gal meets The Dress - a connection is made.
    Once you feel the genuine "fit" of the dress, you know you will use it over and over again.. and that is how we build our "staple". That is the core of your wardrobe, and we then knit the web of looks around it..
    I am so glad you have found your Dress.
    Cheers to that.

    I hope you're having a great time!

    Marija

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    1. Very, very well said, dear Marija. I couldn't agree more and think that this "complete fit" with their garments, be they handmade, store bought or bespoke, was something that many in past generations (especially prior to the 1960s) knew well and had a deep appreciation for, but which is nearly a dying art in today's fast fashion world.

      Big hugs & joyful weekend wishes!
      ♥ Jessica

      *PS* I plan to catch up on all of your own lovely recent posts soon - likely once we're back home from Vancouver.

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  14. Jessica, you are beautiful...you look radiant and elegant! I love this outfit!

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    1. Thank you so much, sweet Linda! This stands out as one of my top five favourite outfits of the year so far and I'm so glad I could cap off a season chocked full of autumnal ensembles with this deeply fall approved look.

      Many hugs & happy Friday wishes!
      ♥ Jessica

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  15. A little late responding but as I was looking back through these photos again, gorgeous dress by the way, it struck me that I no longer see vintage as an unordinary way to dress. When I do my hair in a forties style with victory rolls, it is second nature to me and, until someone comments about my hair, I think nothing of it. I think vintage has slowly become a way of life for me. Do I have the biggest wardrobe? Not by a long shot and actually own very few pieces that are actually vintage but more reproductions, mostly made by me, and vintage inspired, but I feel comfortable putting on my cream colored fifties gloves or my fifties velvet headband and walking out the door. So thanks to all of you who dare to be different and inspire the rest of us who are just getting our feet wet to do the same!

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    1. What an incredibly lovely and very poignant comment, dear lady. Thank you so much for sharing that fact with me - and all of us - here. There is something so amazing about reaching that point - it's a bit like the fashion equivalent of the day you realize you can type without looking down at the keyboard. Everything just flows and jives and becomes second nature to you. It's liberating, beautiful, and such a powerful source of joy, to boot. I'm thrilled for you and hope that vintage continues to bring you fulfillment and fun for countless years to come.

      Unending support and encouragement (in your vintage fashion wearing journey), plus scores of hugs from our hotel in Vancouver!

      ♥ Jessica

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  16. It is always good to see an online purchase work out:) You picked a stunning dress and I love the lip color you paired with it.

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    1. Thank you so much! Same here, and I must say - knock wood - that in general I have really good luck when shopping online, which is truly awesome because the overwhelming majority of my wardrobe is purchased from the web. There would practically be tumbleweeds in my closet if I didn't shop online, as we have exceedingly few vintage fashion sources in the Okanagan these days. That said, if only ever online purchase - be it vintage, repro, or vintage appropriate - fit and worked out as well as this classic 50s frock does. There's "it fits nicely" and then there's "wow, that's a massive winner" and this dress definitely falls into the latter camp for me.

      Big hugs & happy last weekend of November wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  17. That dress is gorgeous. The color and print are perfection on you
    Retro rover

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet Kate. That's a completely lovely compliment!

      Tons of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  18. Lovely dress; it makes a beautiful autumnal outfit. It has such lovely colours in it. I am glad you have found a perfect plaid dress. I am still continuing my hunt for one!

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    1. I truly hope that one comes your way, sweet Kate. Is there a particular (plaid) colour palette that you're searching for or is it more a "I'll know - and love - it, when I see it" sort of hunt?

      Big hugs & many thanks for your wonderfully nice comment,
      ♥ Jessica

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    2. I do like ones with greens and blues in but I think it will be more a 'that's it' moment!

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    3. That's such a lovely colour combo for plaid. Have you seen Hell Bunny's new plaid dresses? There's a really pretty one in blue in green called Aberdeen that I might be what you're looking for (or at least getting closer to it :)).

      Big hugs & happy weekend wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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    4. No I haven't. Thanks for suggesting it, I will go and check it out.

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  19. I absolutely love this look! The colours are incredible, the plaid is spot on, and that collar is sublime! I'm swooning over your accessories for this shoot, lovely brooch, so unusual. And your hat is very elegant with the sweet bow.

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet Christina. Isn't that brooch marvelous! I adore Summer Blue's offerings and really hope I can purchase some more pieces from that Etsy shop as time goes on (I've bought a few brooches and pairs of earrings from them so far). The designer puts out some great seasonal offerings, like this pumpkin brooch, which are especially ideal for those of us who love to coordinate our accessories with the holidays. :)

      Sending oodles of hugs & happy Friday wishes your way,
      ♥ Jessica

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  20. Great ensemble with such wonderful bold colors! That is a dream hat you are wearing for sure, can't beat colored straw! So pretty! I must say how nice this stone wall behind you is too, such a nice clean backdrop for outfit photos.

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    1. Thank you so much, sweet Bianca. I love that backdrop, too. It's a wall that banks up against a little hill with a road that leads down to a boat launch at a public park in the nearby small town of Osoyoos. It's earthy, neutral palette is a dream to shoot with and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if we reused this location for another shoot one day down the line.

      Tons of hugs & happy last weekend of November wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  21. What a gorgeous Autumnal frock! Also adoring the brooch. :)

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    1. Isn't is delightful? I'm a huge fan of Summer Blue's creative offerings and bet that all the pieces (a few earrings and brooches, so far) I have from that Etsy shop will appear here as time goes on.

      Big hugs & many thanks for your lovely comment,
      ♥ Jessica

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  22. Dear Jessica, what a lovely dress and perfect for Fall!!! You look marvelous darling as always. Thank you for sharing your beautiful dress with all your fans. Gentle hugs, Beverly

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    1. Many kind thanks, lovely Beverly. You always, without fail, brighten my days with your sweeter-than-sweet comments and encouraging words about my vintage ensembles. You're a terrific person and a beautiful friend!

      Tons of gentle hugs coming right back at you from our hotel room in Vancouver,
      ♥ Jessica

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  23. Jessica, this dress is amazing! I love the colors are all there! That brooch with small pumpkins semplicemnete is adorable and funny, a really original touch that I love so much! Then the hat ... love! Watching you is to make a pleasant trip back in time! Here time he starts acting up: now the sun is shining but the night is cold! To take pictures in the mountains I caught a cold! I want to go into hibernation with so many books!

    affectionately

    Serena

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    1. Hi Serena dear, I am wholeheartedly sorry that you came down with a cold. That's a rough note to start the chilly season off on for sure. Perhaps though, with a bit of luck, getting sick now will spare you from other bugs as we head into the true heart of winter.

      Thank you so much for your fabulously lovely comment and for saying that seeing my outfits is like taking a trip back in time. I really don't think a vintage fashion wearer could ask for a better or more touching compliment.

      Huge hugs & happy weekend wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  24. Jessica, that is a wonderful dress both on you and in design. Lucky you--I'm sure it was waiting just for you to find it!

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet Jen, I really like to think so as well. :)

      Oodles of hugs & happy weekend wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  25. It's such a great feel to find a garment that is exactly what we wanted... sometimes I feel that certain garments are "meant" for us - like the shopping fairies have been saving it for us :)

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    1. That's a really beautiful way to look at things, dear Lorena. I completely agree and feel like (so far) this year, this dress has been the best "waiting for me" vintage find.

      Tons of hugs & happy weekend wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  26. Jessica, that dress is SO GOOD. I'm not usually a huge orange person, but I love the huge scale of the pattern and the way the other colors play with the orange to keep everything in balance. I absolutely love how you've styled it here, too, pulling in a variety of colors.

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    1. Thank you so much, sweet Frances. I hear you there. For a long time I avoided orange like the plague (ditto for yellow), but in the past five years or so, I've opened up to both sunny hues big time, as I found that a few shades - chiefly on both the very light and very dark sides of the spectrum - can in fact look good on me and now I embrace them with open arms. With both yellow and orange, it's the darkest shades that are kindest to me, so those are the ones I gravitate towards most of all, especially during their "home season" of fall.

      Many thanks again! I hope that all is well on your end and that you're having a fun filled last weekend of November.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  27. This dress is so loveable ... It must be made for you (even if I would like to steal it from your wardrobe ...) ;)))

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    1. Thank you very much, my beautiful friend. If only we lived nearby, I would happily let you borrow it anytime. Alas, there's a pesky ocean and a few countries between us.

      I hope that things are well on your end as November comes to an end and that you're gearing up for a great holiday season.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  28. Breathing outfit dear Jessica ~ that dress is positively dreamy in every single way! I love the plaid, the style with that gorgeous collar, buttons and belt and the colors! Oh! They are stunning! Of course, you've complimented the dress to perfection with that amazing hat, your cute shoes and that darling pumpkin brooch!! Everything about this look is stunning, and you look radiant in your ensemble! ❤

    xox,
    bonita of Lavender & Twill

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    1. What a glowingly sweet and beautiful comment and compliment, lovely Bonita. Thank you so much! While it pains me to say good bye to my favourite season again (it's always over in a flash!), I am happy that I could cap it off on such a happy and stylish note in terms of my wardrobe posts. Now, to just slog through five (or more) months of winter weather and then on to the light, airy hues and styles of spring. I don't dislike dressing for winter, not at all, actually, but the photographing side of things is always a challenge when the temps are well below freezing, the winds are trying to whip a layer of skin off, the snow is inching up my legs by the minute! ;D

      Thank you again big time! I hope that you're having a sunny, terrific last weekend of November!
      ♥ Jessica

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  29. What a gorgeous look! I love all the russet tones you have at work here, it really is stunning. You look like a maple tree in full fall foliage. No wonder you love the dress so much, it's utterly perfect.

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    1. That is such an elegantly lovely comparison. Thank you very much, sweet dear. My maple leaf adoring Canadian heart beamed with happiness when I read your words.

      Many hugs & happy last day of November wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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    1. Thank you very much, lovely Kate.

      Have a terrific week!
      ♥ Jessica

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  31. WOW! That dress is gorgeous! I would love to own one like it. It becomes you so well, dear. Have a lovely day, dear. :)

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    1. Thank you very much! Isn't it just the dreamiest dark fall palette? I'm still giddy with joy over finding this dress earlier in the year and suspect that, as much as it suits fall best, I might have to sport it throughout the rest of the year, too - it's far to fantastic to only bring out for those few short weeks between summer and snow! :)

      I hope that all is well on your end as November wraps, my dear friend, and am sending tons of merry holiday season wishes your way!

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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    2. Remember I told you that I am never envious?! I lied! I became juuuust a little bit envious seeing you in this perfect dress. ;) Do wear it often for everybody to see. Beautiful dresses are meant to be seen, not just hang in a closet. I've had a terrible back ache for a month now, and am sick and tired of the constant pain. But yesterday I got a new kind of treatment (very expensive) and today I finally feel a bit better. Let's cross fingers that this will help me. Else, I am joying all my Christmas decorations. Red, green and glitter everywhere, so lovely. Have a lovely day, dear. :)

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    3. Aww, that's really sweet of you to say. I will definitely wear it often and wish that you lived nearby so that I could let you borrow it whenever your heart desired. Agreed! Pretty dresses are meant to be worn! Granted we don't have to bust out the ball gowns to go grocery shopping, but vintage day or cocktail dresses can, and should, be worn often, so long as they're not on their very last legs.

      I'm truly sorry that you're in such immense pain and discomfort, my dear friend. It genuinely breaks my heart to think of you suffering and I wish with all my might that there was something I could to do help you. I will definitely cross my fingers that the new treatment you try helps you - and quickly!

      The gentlest of hugs & countless healing wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  32. Always classy and beautiful. You are a real diva <3

    Muahs,
    Narcissa

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    1. You're so sweet, darling gal, thank you very much!!!

      Oodles of hugs & happy wishes for the coming final month of the year!
      ♥ Jessica

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  33. That really is a stunning dress and I love the outfit you've put together around it. Divine!

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    1. Thank you so much, my dear friend! It really is a divine 50s frock, I agree - and the perfect note to cap off another season of fun, classic fall looks with.

      Big hugs & joyful start of December wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  34. You can't beat an original belt, can you? Those self-covered belts really set vintage apart from a lot of modern garments. And those pumpkin beads are ace.

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    1. Absolutely note! I try to handle those that I am fortunate to acquire with a dress pretty much with kid gloves. So often, especially if they've not been worn for years or even decades, I find they can be fragile critters, but with a lot of love and gentle handling, they often have a fair bit of life left still in them. I've often thought that a seamstress (or company) could make a pretty penny offering vintage style belts from various decades in a wide range of basic colours (and fabrics) that could easily be paired with vintage (or modern) frocks that are missing their originals. Granted many sewers know how to do that, but lots of us don't fall into that camp and I'm sure that at a fair price point, there would be a market for such.

      Big hugs & many thanks for your great comment.
      ♥ Jessica

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  35. How did I miss this outfit? Ugh it's so stunning and it's so me!! I'm quite jealous :p

    I love the red/burgundy color it's just so beautiful on you and your accessories are just perfection. I have a confession though - in that third picture for a second I thought your bag was floating. HAHAHAH!

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    1. Too cute! And how handy would that be - a purse that levitated and freed up your hands wherever you went? :)

      Thank you very much for your fabulously nice comment, sweet Nora.

      Huge hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  36. You look so marvelously beautiful in these pictures! I don't think you could have found a dress that was any better suited to autumn and with the original belt on top of it!

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    1. *Blush* Thank you so much, my dear friend. You always brighten my days with your wonderfully lovely comments.

      Tons of hugs & happy December wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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