Melanie, stylist at Salon Cyan, was out catching some sun on a break in this gorgeous dress. The lime green looks amazing with her red hair, and how cool is that necklace?
I realize this dress works so well on her because of her size. A larger woman would not be able to pull this off without a bra, but that doesn't mean there aren't a lot of other dress options out there.
Case in point - how cute does Amber, of Jackpot Vintage, look in this vintage maxi? The pattern screams "Summer!" and the cap sleeves and empire waist are very flattering.
My friend Heather noticed this young woman at the Western Fair Farmers' Market this weekend and I pretty much embarrassed myself gushing over how gorgeous she looked, and kept saying to the guy she was with, "doesn't she look amazing?" If he hadn't agreed I would have had to slap him. She got the dress at the Home County Music and Art Festival and it couldn't have found a better home. See below for a view of the back.
I realize this dress works so well on her because of her size. A larger woman would not be able to pull this off without a bra, but that doesn't mean there aren't a lot of other dress options out there.
Case in point - how cute does Amber, of Jackpot Vintage, look in this vintage maxi? The pattern screams "Summer!" and the cap sleeves and empire waist are very flattering.
..and here's my contribution to the celebration of the summer dress - a vintage barkcloth Hawaiian- made maxi. I had been wanting a vintage Hawaiian dress for some time, and had recently tried on a gorgeous one at Jackpot Vintage that I loved, but was too small, so I spent some time searching on Etsy for Hawaiian barkcloth dresses. There's a lot there - many too small for me, and many beyond my budget (not that I have a budget, because that would be financially responsible). So I resigned myself to being Hawaiian-dress-less for the time being. After work Friday, I considered making a trip to one of my favourite Goodwill Thrift Stores, but it was looking like thunderstorm weather, and the practical part of me said "go home, you're tired, and you don't need to spend money". The optimistic part of me thought, "what if there's something really cool there?". I reached the Goodwill just as the downpour started (forcing me to stay there til it stopped, of course), and there, on the rack, its Hibiscus-print barkcloth shining amidst the other cheap polyester/jersey/rayon dresses, was this dress. It looked small, but, lo and behold, it fit. It was $8.00. Me and this dress? We were meant to be.
a couple of weeks ago, I got a summer dress to were to a party. I loved it so much, yesterday I went back to the same store and bought it in the other color it comes in. Both were on sale!
ReplyDeleteBTW, it's called "biscuit bottom" when your shorts are too short and your ass cheeks hang out.
Stunning Hawaiian dress!! It was fate! All the other ladies look gorgeous in their dresses. I wear a lot of dresses because I find shorts hard to fit and kind of unflattering now that I've gained weight.
ReplyDeleteI agree get that summer dress out and on STAT! I tried a pair of jean shorts this weekend with a tank top, that lasted all of an hour. Dresses are the best in the heat, you can sweat in all your cracks and still look cute!!! I love your Hawaiian bark cloth dress, it was worth the wait.
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Glorious all of you in dresses, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
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I just posted pictures of me in my Hawaiian silk dress! Here: http://sheilaephemera.blogspot.ca/2013/07/long-weekend-dresses-and-flop-cat.html
ReplyDeleteI agree: I sat in a pub yesterday watching all the people walking around, and ladies! get out your summer dresses! They are so much prettier than those horrid crop pants and t-shirts.
Oh my! I so agree about the crop pants! When did they become so ubiquitous in the over 40 crowd? Maybe the cheek-baring shorts morph into crop pants on your 40th birthday! Love, love, love the dresses!
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Oh, and duh, you look amazing in this dress! What a score! It looks fabulous with your vivid red hair.
ReplyDeletegorgeous gorgeous gorgeous and GORGEOUS! Everyone looks fantastic but I love your dress the best. Happy Canada Day, Shelley!
ReplyDeleteYay summer dresses are always just perfect.......all the ladies look gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteLove V
You're so right! I haven't worn my favorite summer dress yet! I need to get on that!
ReplyDeleteI love barkcloth and that dress looks lovely on you. They all look great. Dresses are so easy and comfortable.
ReplyDeleteThe summer dresses are glorious! Everyone has her style and owns it! And you Shelley, are a vision in the Hawaiian Goodwill find. Blue is great with your hair and the floral pattern flowing down a city street in summer is sure to turn many a head. Especially on Canada Day!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fine round up and you saved the best till last - you! That Hawaiian maxi is gorgeous. Frocks rule. xxx
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with you!! I WANT Ambers Maxi!!
ReplyDeleteYou look fantastic in your hawaiian Sundress-cool. chic and classy!
i love all of my maxi dresses for summer--like wearing my nightgown in public!!
These are all lovely dresses.
ReplyDeleteWell, of course I say a YES to the dress - no surprise there!
ReplyDeleteAll these women look stunning in their frocks, and I agree, there is a shape and style out there which will suit everyone. I love Amber's dress, and the print and colour of your Hawaiian meant-to-be-yours beauty are gorgeous.
Shorts with my arse hanging out, or dreary cropped trousers? No thanks, I'm best in a dress! xxxxxx
yes to the dress every single time! love them all...your dress rocks! i have a new thrifted baby that i love here...balanced on top of farm machinery! xxxx http://textgeorge.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/shiny-t-tuesday-on-top-of-farm.html
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to wear as many dresses as possible! and skirt too. All such lovely dresses - the lime green is so eyecatching, the middle lady is so delicate and pretty and the last one is bold and colourful - lovely all round. And you look great in that delicious shade of blue, I love a Hawaiian print xxx
ReplyDeleteMy FAVORITE summer dress is a Hawaiian barkcloth sundress in an identical cut as yours! My flowers are coloured though its the same blue. I have had it for year (I wore it pregnant with my son and he's now 15!!!) and without question I still love it. I got it a VV to 2 bucks. 2 bucks! And I agree Shelley, if your but is showing the shorts are too short- and who doesn't want to let their body breathe under a beautiful flowing dress?
ReplyDeletehurrah for summer dresses, every lady you've photographed is amazing and stylish, and you look fabulous wearing that hawaiian print maxi, simply delightful!!
ReplyDeleteI worn this dress two days ago, and now you've made me feel proud of it!!, thanks for your joyful support to summer dresses!
besos & risas
nice pics!
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Take a look at my blog: http://www.we-heart-fashion.com
Let's follow each other via bloglovin/facebook? Let me know
I LOVE THIS POST!!!! I have a bunch of summer dresses that I am just now able to zip up again (!). All the dresses you show are gorgeous, and I love how each woman chose the perfect dress for her, including your spectacular Goodwill find!! The print, color, and cut look amazing on you. I'll try to send a pic next week of one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteI made one of those "oh-what-the-hell" quick stops into my closest Goodwill last Tuesday and found a large handwoven kilim rug in excellent condition for under $40. It's absolutely my best score EVER. The "brand new" polypropylene rugs were priced between $90 and $125, and they were smaller. Plus they were ugly. After it comes back from being cleaned I'll probably show it in a post. XXOO
Wow, every single one of those frock-wearing wenches is a stunner ... especially the one in the Hawaiian barkcloth maxi!!!! Damn I love barkcloth so, so much and you are absolutely STUNNING in this number!!!!! Yesterday I bought a 70s patchwork-print maxi for five bucks with original tags ... still pinching myself;) xoxo
ReplyDeleteWonderful summer dresses, all! The best thing about a maxi is we're almost naked underneath, full air on. How much more cool could they be?
ReplyDeleteBark cloth, how I howl at its splendour. Your dress is awesome, Shelley! Meant to be, meant to be.
I love, love, love a good summer dress and these are fabulous. I'm also a big fan of vintage Hawaiian bark cloth dresses. I have a couple. And one actually even fits!
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