Visible, indeed. I debated showing you a photo of the dress’ back seam, unstitched from mid-shoulder-blades to the waist. Because the dress fits relatively loosely through that section, the seam is never drawn tautly open, but movement does disclose the brastrap beneath, if only in a flash. I considered other solutions — stitching strategic portions closed, which I may yet do, and I even bought those adhesive contraptions whose engineering, in the end, seemed suspect to me, especially under this not-too-heavy silk.
In the end, I chose a black bra with a narrow, and pretty, strap, and committed to forgetting about my back, and I wore the dress to the opera — La Bohème — Saturday night. I was helped, in my commitment, by the ample distraction of having snagged my fishnet tights at 6:24, far too late to find a replacement pair. The hole was less than a thumbtip in size, and not too obvious, to the side of my left calf, but still . . .
Edited to add: Dress, Designers Remix; Shoes, Fluevog
We had a lovely evening though, and I heard no gasps at either fashion/propriety infraction. This is my third Bohème, and it was a very satisfactory production. I love how tight this opera is, so much repetition –so recognition — of melody and rhythm throughout — it’s designed to please, to have you humming as you leave. And, of course, the romance of bohemian Paris, love and death in the garrets, the comic antics of the young artists trying to dodge their creditors, the flirtations and jealousies and courtships of the young lovers. I continue to be mesmerised by what can be done with projection these days, in combination with physical stagesets, so that a moon gradually shows its full self over an aria, creeping out gradually over the rooftops of Paris. Lighting was magical without ever competing with the main action. Well, it would be tough to compete with the voices, really. Gorgeous singing from credibly youthful actors.
And such a pleasure to see a dressed-up Vancouver audience. I think we’re getting better at this, at least from my experience as a season-ticket-holder over the past 6 or 7 years. Yes, we did spot one middle-aged fellow in khaki shorts, a drab knit shirt over his paunch, socks mid-calf, hardly the look for a hiking trail, never mind the opera. But where he would have had a cohort of denim and khaki wearers to hang out with a few seasons ago, most of the denim Saturday night was balanced by a cashmere blazer or a sequinned top.
I’d tell you more, but I’m up early trying to get some marking done before our visitor wakes. Almost 4, she’s here for a week, and it promises to be a busy one. I won’t get home ’til she’s in bed tonight, so I hope to catch some morning play before I head to campus. She’s going to keep her Granddad moving, I suspect. They’ll probably boat to town for groceries, stop for a coffee/hot chocolate and pastry at Mon Petit Choux, then hang out on the swings for a while after docking the boat back at the island. Retirement seems not such a bad idea. . .
Joining the Visible Monday gang again — you should check that action out!
F: You look awesome. You can definitely get away with the open-back/bra strap.
Thanks! I tried just pretending I didn't know the seam was open . . . 😉
I like the sound of your visitor's day – Mon Petit Choux is my place for breakfast when I'm up that way.
The dress is gorgeous!
The fellow in cargo shorts? I'm sure I saw him at the Belfry last week.
We will have to meet up at MPC one of these days. And yes, I suspect that guy makes the round. .
That dress is so chic! I'm looking forward to attending the opera here before too long and doing some people watching, though I fear it will confirm what I've read about Anchorage being the worst dressed city in the US.
I'm sure you'll up the sartorial standards! I'm impressed the city has opera — must have a community pretty committed to culture.
That's really a fabulous dress, and a very well-done bit of color blocking. And the Fluevogs, of course, so perfect with it. The whole look is contemporary yet timeless and oh so chic!
Oh, and my inclination would be to stitch up the back, but only because I hate drafts on my neck and back!
Thanks, Sue — these Fluevogs have earned their keep. So walkable, as you know, for a dressy shoe with a 3.5+ heel.
Whew! Jeans but at LEAST balanced by shimmer or sequins. Your dress is gorgeous on you!! This is really a flattering look. Too bad about the snag but at least you didn't let it deter from your shine. I like the little flirty peekaboo back concept. You could definitely WEAR that – glad you did.
Thanks, Melanie. I do think this is flattering on me, and have been trying to analyse it a bit. The shape works for my body type, but I'm also surprised by how well this shade of white/cream works for my colouring.
Fabulous dress, and I love the idea of the peek a boo back. You look so perfect for the opera. I saw the knit-shirt man at the symphony here, I think : > Thanks so much for sharing your chic look with Visible Monday.
Thank YOU, Patti! And yes, I guess that guy gets around. . . 😉
Beautiful, beautiful dress, really flattering – like your hair too – just forget about the bra strap!
Thanks! I did try — old dog, new tricks, and all that. . .
Newest follower here! I found you through the Monday Link up! Cute blog, I love your style. Super cute outfit 🙂
-meandmr.com
Welcome and thanks for following — I'll have to stop by and check out your blog as well.
You look smokin hot and I'm sure no one noticed the mishaps you felt you had. I am a particular fan of fishnets. There's something sexy and slightly naughty about them.
Jennifer
They really take it up a notch, don't they, the fishnets. My initial plan was for a pair of sheer stockings (bare legs in the rain and cold with my ultra-white legs is a no-go), but the fishnets seemed to work and were more fun.
I love this dress! And your hair looks fabulous. Wow!
Thanks! I've got to show the photo to my stylist, 'cause I think we're getting the hair where I want it to be.
This dress has such a beautiful drape…I would never have guessed the challenges of wearing it. If I had to grade papers so early, I'm afraid the grades would be very low. And, yes, retirement is enticing.
The early marking often helps me to break the back of a daunting stack. Once I get a bundle finished, I feel as if I've freed up some choices for the day. With yesterday's bunch, though, they just really had to be returned last night and the last week hasn't had much free time.
That dress suits you perfectly–you look wonderful for your night at the opera. And the Botticelli hair is glorious.
The thought of the simple pleasure of the bakery immediately brought to mind a little ditty my dad used to sing to me: "Mon petit chou, voulez-vous danser?" "Non, non, non, j'ai du mal aux pieds." I'm not sure if I've forgotten the rest–or if that's all there was to it. Elle
What a charming memory! Thanks for sharing it. Were/are you a francophone family? Your name suggests it now that I know your dad sang you French rhymes. . .
My dad's parents and grandparents came to the textile industry in southern New England from the textile mills on the France-Belgium border. Not really a francophone family because my mom's family was Irish (to my French granma's chagrin)–more of a cultural clash. 🙂 The French connection has always been important to me though. Elle
It's the opposite way in our family — my mom's was francophone (that is, grandma grew up speaking French, although she had it shamed out of her, didn't teach it to her children) and my grandma was chagrined over the English son-in-law, my dad.
Great dress. Great, great, dress. And epic hair!
Oh, thank you — I love that adjective almost as much as I love Elle saying it's Botticelli hair. You guys are too kind!
I love the dress, and I'm glad to see that the observation I had in mind about your glorious curls fits in nicely with LPC's "epic hair" comment :). I would die for your hair.
Believe me, growing up, and even now sometimes, I'd have switched for straight in a heartbeat. . .
Wow – you look stunning! Dress, hair, shoes – you are definitely holding up your end of the bargain here! P.
Thanks, Patricia. The opera is my only real excuse for dressing up and I like to take advantage.
The colour blocking is tres chic and, may I add, I am loving the height of your hair ce soir. It makes for a lovely line.
Re ripped fishnets: I will have the peculiar pleasure of ripping my own stockings when my studenfs and I dress in our most indignant Punk garb for our anti-fashion day next month. We've already gone for hip-hop, which allowed me to break out Mr. C's boxers and ripped jeans. Ridiculously liberating.
You and your class are having way too much fun! Have you checked out bagandaberet.blogspot.com — Melanie's an artist who plays with (mostly thrifted) fashion (and anti-fashion, definitely) outrageously and artistically.
you look awesome, and with attitude. glad that Vancouverites are dressing up – i loved spotting the fashions at the opera last season; this year i will be getting dressed up for the ballet 🙂
Ooooh, I keep wanting to get to a ballet, but so far the opera commitment seems enough. At both, though, the fashion-spotting is a substantial part of the entertainment.
Oh la la! Show us the back! Gah, pantyhose! However this dress would look great with boots, too.
I think it probably would — I'm not sure if the boots I have now would do the trick though (notice how I dodged the back-showing part of your comment. . . )
Absolutely LOVE that dress!
Thanks!