meanwhile

[rm]

The dress arrived.

Good:
- shows off the tattoo
- fits me reasonably, and can be pinned discretely if I don't have time to alter it.

Bad:
- I should really get it shortened and taken in a bit (I probably could have ordered the smaller size, but it would have fit like a hobble skirt, and I need to be able to sit down in the thing).
- not sure it does all that for my figure, but I'm wearing the totally wrong bra for it today. I'm counting on some industrial magic to make that happen.

Weird:
- The only people I trust to alter it are the slightly inconvenient folks at the same place that altered my greatcoat. Man, I'm always going to them when there's ISSUES involved. Symbolic awesome? Or logistical nightmare? I CAN'T DECIDE. Because I need it done more than I need it to be funny.

ETA:
- Alterations less severe than I thought; totally bringing it whereever tomorrow. Definitely shortening it to just above the knee
- Fits everything but my bust line better than I thought.
- I need some fabulous shoes. FABULOUS. Thoughts?

Comments

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

How is your time frame for alterations?

Your phrase "industrial magic" made me think of Industrial Light & Magic, so I find myself imaging light sabers and lasers. Hah.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm swamped, and the dress has to be ready to go one week from now.

I'm going to try to get it in somewhere Wednesday (gotta get the bra for it first).

[ophymirage.livejournal.com]

which dress did you get?

[rm.livejournal.com]

http://www.stopstaringclothing.com/sunshop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=350

[ophymirage.livejournal.com]

*blinks* Um, WOW. you will look STUNNING, particularly the short hair/long neck with that neckline.

I think I have major wardrobe envy for about half your closet...

[ophymirage.livejournal.com]

and while i'm thinking about you and awesome vintage-y styles, I'm reminded that I've been meaning to recommend this catalogue to you for about forever. J. Peterman's line is one I've been in love with for years, but I've been too fat to wear anything other than their accessories for a long time. But every time I see their awesome 40's and 50's style dresses, I think 'rm should see these..'

[upstart-crow.livejournal.com]

OK, I've totally missed something. When did you get a tattoo?? :O

[rm.livejournal.com]

My last night in London on the July trip. It says "Be grand" in script across my right shoulder blade.

[upstart-crow.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

Oh, nice. :)

[rm.livejournal.com]

When I got it, I was pretty clear on what it was about (mainly the research and the fiction that led to that trip). Since then, I've realized that as a theme and an idea it stretches back to other obsessions and influences, so I've been super tickled about it.

[melebeth]

Honestly, altering that is probably trivial. The gathers stop at the side seams so if you just need a slight reshaping and shortening all it requires is moderate attention to detail. It's not more than an hour's work for any half competent tailor and possibly quite less than that. Which is to say that a dry cleaner could probably manage it, if the issues are not emotional.

[rm.livejournal.com]

I don't have time for the issues to be emotional. Thanks. That confirmed my gut instinct about it, and I'd rather have the thing done (and save myself a not convenient trip to the LES this week).

[melebeth]

That having been said, do you have a tailor you like for custom work from scratch in NY? There is a Thing I am considering (actually two things) that may make more sense for me to hire out than to do myself.

[rm.livejournal.com]

I don't, actually. For severe alterations, I have a rec, but for construction from scratch I keep dealing with lots of people Not Here.

[schpahky.livejournal.com]

There is no time for issues. Anyone can shorten it and any good tailor will know how to take it in in exactly the right way. Kiss this one up to the anonymous process and the issues will, I trust, follow no matter what.

[schpahky.livejournal.com]

Which is to say I'm really excited you have the damn thing and it shows off the tattoo! It will all look better when altered, too.

The dress arrived.

[stardragonca.livejournal.com]

I think I missed the part where you decided on one.
*Goes to see*

Re: The dress arrived.

[stardragonca.livejournal.com]

Oh, yeah, eh? Grand indeed!

[bodlon.livejournal.com]

Symbolic awesome. Just go with it and laugh.

[feyandstrange.livejournal.com]

I'm glad it's workable fit-wise and works as well as I'd hoped. And isn't feeling weird on you.

Fabulous shoes, yes. And maybe a choker-length piece instead of earrings, although I apparently have a grudge against bare necks. Or a biggish bracelet.

Fab shoes: is this a good time for contrasting color? Can you make red heels work with this dress and not look hookeresque? Maybe metallics, there's lots of those around. I don't care if they're trendy, no freakin' ankle booties (unless they're open-toe, and even then I am prejudiced against).

I'm thinking strappy, maybe open-toe, metallic or red satin or black patent, maybe something sparkly like black glitter or a few rhinestones. Latin ballroom dance shoes? I wear cheap-arse shoes because I don't have to walk in them any more, so I don't always know from better any more. Chinese Laundry?

[rm.livejournal.com]

No red shoes. Red shoes, among other things, evoke a national sorority's fundraising project, but I am considering contrasting shoes. Or just night sleek black patent leather and some chunky pearl earrings and matching bracelet to offset red lips and nails.

[feyandstrange.livejournal.com]

Oh dear. No sorority shoes, then.

Someone could probably do either plum or turquoise, but I don't see that working for you, well maybe the right shade of plum. (I am prejudiced against turquoise.) Gold and bronze tones? Shiny black or metallic and chunky pearls, possibly with some rhinestone accents. (With all this other Eighties crap coming back, can we have shoe buckles back? Come to think of it, I didn't have real shoe buckles, I used clip-on earrings to add bling to shoe fronts.)