These pictures reminded me of my first day of school. You dress up in your uniform, the first of many uniformed days of the rest of your life, and have your photograph taken before you leave. These felt almost the same, but this time I was just about to go to my first ever wedding.
I bought my dress in the very early spring from H&M and with this wedding in mind. In the shop it blends into the background and seems just another low quality Scandinavian creation, but outside of it, (especially six months after buying it – six months is a long time in H&M stock turnarounds) it takes on an unexpected originality, adopting a Mad Men meets An Education feel in terms of its marriage of youthful colours and flippy skirt to a stauncher and more serious shift bodice.
The shape, cut and material quality are surprising considering its lowly Swedish mass market origins. There are flaws of course (it was much too cheap to have been cut perfectly), particularly at the back, where it gapes a little at the top. Otherwise, the material is weighty and the pattern almost reminiscent of Erdem. The line from the bust to the waist looks as though it might have been tied back with a waist tie when in fact it is just perfectly constructed. The flare is just about right, and the addition of lipstick- and iphone-carrying pockets and a inside lining both makes it feel much more expensive than it really was and means that you don't have to worry about a bag.
Nowadays I often feel strange wearing an exclusively 'new' outfit, so I tried to rescue this one with a pair of sparkly green inherited earrings, which were probably originally purchased in the 60s, to give the outfit at least a little bit of authenticity. They are very little, and seemingly invisible in these photographs, but I'm sure they made all the difference.
The wedding itself was in a field, at the top of a beautiful hill reached by a windy track with grass growing up the middle. There was even a little ceilidh – a Scottish dance that in Scotland they train you for almost from that often-photographed first day of school – full of spinning and waltzing and perfect fun for flared dresses.
Dress: H&M
Shoes: Topshop
Earrings: Vintage
i think the dress is pretty, and very fitting for a wedding. i also sometimes feel weird if there isn't a piece of vintage in my outfit, so i'm glad to know i'm not the only one!
ReplyDeleteSiubhan,
ReplyDeleteI found your blog via weardrobe and when I came here just to casually say Hi, I fell in love with it. If I could follow you I would, but I do not see a followers gadget.
In the mean time if you read this comment and decide to visit me back and/ or keep in touch, I would be very surprised but nonetheless pleased.
Love from Toronto, Canada
I'm often pleasantly surprised by the quality at H&M, though it's really all over the map. This dress is lovely: the colour, shape and pattern are all just great!
ReplyDeleteDanielle: I never used to notice, but these days it has become something of an aim almost!
ReplyDeleteTrishna: Thank you – it's very kind of you to say so. There is a follow button on the top left, and a Bloglovin button on the right if you still want to follow.
Emily: As am I! I really went off H&M for a while, but I've realised that you just have to be selective. By my constant Sweden references, I just meant that it was originally a Swedish company.
my goodness - thanks for your sweet comment on my blog and having just clicked over to yours, i must say that your photos are absolutely exquisite. the dress and shoes in this post are just so lovely together - such an inspiring way to put together high street pieces!
ReplyDeleteWow, that dress is gorgeous! I am loving your blog too.
ReplyDelete