So, finally I fit in a photo shoot of my new Tracy Reese Vogue 1314 dress.
I'd like to say that our new camera made this photo shoot just as easy as the last one. Alas, there is a learning curve. Little details like, oh, say, not having the camera on the landscape setting and not taking dozens of pictures while I am trying to say something are ones that we are still learning. There were a lot of "outtakes" and yet few different views or detail shots of the dress. Oh well. Photography is a WIP here at Clio & Phin HQ.
But here is my dress and a question...
On the V1314 pattern, there isn't too much to say since I've sewn it before. I really needed a simple black knit dress for summer that would be cool and comfy and that I could dress up for work or wear more casually on the weekends with sandals.
Knits are not my strength as a sewist, and I didn't want to over-complicate things. I think the finishes are neat and clean without being fussy. I used elastic in the seams to gather the ruching on this one. I omitted the lining and instead finished the neckline with a self fabric binding that I serged on and then turned to the inside and top stitched down with a twin needle. To finish the sleeves I serged the raw ends, turned them in and, again, top stitched with a twin needle. The hem was simply turned, stitched with the twin needle and trimmed.
The fabric is an incredibly soft and drapey rayon jersey from my stash that I bought at Metro Textiles aeons ago. It's absolutely lovely to wear - cool, breathable and thin without being too clingy. I've always been picky about how fabric feels on and this is exactly what I would want for a summer knit dress. Honestly, I think rayon is a better choice than cotton or poly knits for warm weather. It breathes like silk, is absorbent of sweat, retains its color, recovers it's stretch well and doesn't normally pill. Best of all, rayon somehow always feels cool to the touch, which makes me want to wear it on hot days.
The only possible downside to this dress is that photos were taken at the end of the day after a round trip commute and full day of work. I should have actually looked in the mirror and adjusted myself. It looks like I tugged the dress down or smoothed it at some point instead of letting the ruching do it's ruchy thing. (Another lesson about working with a photographer who is in a rush to get the shoot done.)
Anyway, my question is: Yea or Nay to a black dress with brown accessories? Or more broadly black and brown combinations.
I'm not sure this is actually the best shoe choice for this outfit, but I definitely like the other accessories with this dress, the scarf in particular. Years ago I would have argued that this is a fashion faux pas. I'm pretty sure that's how I was raised - sort of like the no white after Labor Day rule. But I guess I've changed my mind over time.
But what are your thoughts on it? Do you wear black and brown together? Are there certain circumstances where you would or wouldn't? Or is it a faux pas to accessorize one with the other? Do tell.
I'd like to say that our new camera made this photo shoot just as easy as the last one. Alas, there is a learning curve. Little details like, oh, say, not having the camera on the landscape setting and not taking dozens of pictures while I am trying to say something are ones that we are still learning. There were a lot of "outtakes" and yet few different views or detail shots of the dress. Oh well. Photography is a WIP here at Clio & Phin HQ.
But here is my dress and a question...
On the V1314 pattern, there isn't too much to say since I've sewn it before. I really needed a simple black knit dress for summer that would be cool and comfy and that I could dress up for work or wear more casually on the weekends with sandals.
Knits are not my strength as a sewist, and I didn't want to over-complicate things. I think the finishes are neat and clean without being fussy. I used elastic in the seams to gather the ruching on this one. I omitted the lining and instead finished the neckline with a self fabric binding that I serged on and then turned to the inside and top stitched down with a twin needle. To finish the sleeves I serged the raw ends, turned them in and, again, top stitched with a twin needle. The hem was simply turned, stitched with the twin needle and trimmed.
The fabric is an incredibly soft and drapey rayon jersey from my stash that I bought at Metro Textiles aeons ago. It's absolutely lovely to wear - cool, breathable and thin without being too clingy. I've always been picky about how fabric feels on and this is exactly what I would want for a summer knit dress. Honestly, I think rayon is a better choice than cotton or poly knits for warm weather. It breathes like silk, is absorbent of sweat, retains its color, recovers it's stretch well and doesn't normally pill. Best of all, rayon somehow always feels cool to the touch, which makes me want to wear it on hot days.
The only possible downside to this dress is that photos were taken at the end of the day after a round trip commute and full day of work. I should have actually looked in the mirror and adjusted myself. It looks like I tugged the dress down or smoothed it at some point instead of letting the ruching do it's ruchy thing. (Another lesson about working with a photographer who is in a rush to get the shoot done.)
Anyway, my question is: Yea or Nay to a black dress with brown accessories? Or more broadly black and brown combinations.
I'm not sure this is actually the best shoe choice for this outfit, but I definitely like the other accessories with this dress, the scarf in particular. Years ago I would have argued that this is a fashion faux pas. I'm pretty sure that's how I was raised - sort of like the no white after Labor Day rule. But I guess I've changed my mind over time.
But what are your thoughts on it? Do you wear black and brown together? Are there certain circumstances where you would or wouldn't? Or is it a faux pas to accessorize one with the other? Do tell.
yes to brown & black! ruggy will fight me on that, but whaddayagonnado.
ReplyDeletei'm loving the WIP camera activity. and the dress, natch. really, i like the combo. i think it makes black less dressy and more bohemian.
You cannot begin to imagine how many pics there were of me with my eyes half closed and mouth half open. Oy! LOL
ReplyDeleteLess dressy/more boho but in an urban way was the goal! Yeah, Phin would never be caught dead in "the wrong" color shoes, I think. So, maybe it's a little bit of a male/female thing?
I like black and brown — especially when you throw in something sassy like the leopard scarf!
ReplyDeleteGreat wardrobe basic!
ReplyDeleteAs for black & brown I'd say that's a "Yea, but it depends." Sometimes it's the specific shades of black & brown, sometimes the proportion or style of the individual items that gel or don't gel. I vaguely recall reading some stylist advice that the undertone (cool or warm) of the coordinating colors are more important. If they're not the same then what should be winning combination could just look off. I've definitely have had browns & blacks that are cool (have bluish tinge) vs warm (have yellowish tinge). Hell I've seen blues that are warm and yellows and oranges that are cold. Absolute nightmare coordinating! }:-)
Maybe even Parisian?
ReplyDeleteDoes your camera come with fancy software? Don't they now have features to merge pics? Take the opened eyes of one & merge into the flattering pose of another! ;-) Seriously, everyone should try Fotoshop...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_vVUIYOmJM
I say yes to the brown and black. The leopard print scarf looks great with that dress, and the other browns tie into the scarf. Looks great.
ReplyDeleteThe black & brown look Great! (especially with your hair color...)
ReplyDeleteI like the black with brown! And your summer lbd is adorable! I am sure that you'll get lots of wear out of it! Looks fantastic on you!
ReplyDeleteI think black and brown is a spectacular combination! Since I saw the dress in person, I know it fits you so well and looks lovely on!
ReplyDeleteI like brown and black but there are too many shades of brown here. I'd use a smaller, bag in black. The animal print scarf works very well here.
ReplyDeleteI would say it's still a faux pas to wear brown shoes with a black tuxedo, but otherwise, go for it.
ReplyDeleteYes to black and brown in summer! Specially when it looks this good ;-)
ReplyDeleteYears ago I would have never worn black with brown or vice versa. But alas, times have changed and so have I. You can do so many things with black, spice it up or down. I'm still stuck with the white/memorial day/labor day thing though.
ReplyDeleteGreat looking dress! I wear black and brown together frequently. Some browns don't work, you just have to play around with various shades of brown.
ReplyDeleteWell your hair is brown so you are always wearing a brown accessory. I also think that brown leather goes with everything and then since you are wearing brown already, you may as we'll add some other brown textiles.
ReplyDeleteYes to brown and black together! (But black shoes would work better with this dress, IMO.) And I've got to say, the dress is very flattering on you...or shall we turn it around and say you make that dress look great? ;)
ReplyDeleteI've always felt they can be done together, but in the right combination/styling. I think you're spot on about the scarf being great and that the shoes could be swapped out, but it is more the style than the color. I think brown sandals to complement the safari feel of the scarf would be awesome. Either way, the dress looks great!
ReplyDeleteI love black and brown together, and I think your styling of this dress is superb. I even have a black and brown purse that is the most versatile accessory I have ever owned. Good look on you.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I have a feeling the dress will be in heavy rotation in my wardrobe this summer!
ReplyDeleteThanks Nancy - I was worried about that since I don't have very much brown in my closet. Actually I think I may have a brown bag that is smaller and be a better color for the outfit now that I think about it.
ReplyDeleteOooh, yeah, with a tux would be pretty awful!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it so funny how we get these "rules" ingrained?
ReplyDeleteOooh, that's a good point about the undertones! I agree with you on the "it depends" on the outfit/style/shade.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I bought the scarf on a whim and it's really become a mainstay. I seem to find something to wear it with once a week these days.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I hadn't really considered how my hair might play into it, but I think you make a great point. I've always steered clear of brown clothing because I feel like I look very bland in it for some reason. That's probably the reason!
ReplyDeleteYou're the second to mention my hair and now it's got me thinking about it in a new way! I hadn't considered that I always have a brown accessory! But it makes sense of why I've never liked or worn brown as a main color but like it as an accessory. ;-)
ReplyDeleteTHat's a great blouse to have!
ReplyDeleteOooh! I hadn't thought of it as safari, but you are right! Back to my closet...
ReplyDeleteFor me the brown is okay but I am more drawn to your bracelet.
ReplyDeleteSo, it depends on the mood/statement you are going for.
You styled this just right. Perhaps you should consider moving your hem line up 1 or 2 inches to make it more flattering.
ReplyDeleteThat's actually what I meant about it looking like I tugged it down - in this photo it looks a bit long. It actually hits me just at the bottom of the knee, which is my preferred length.
ReplyDeleteYou know, when I wore it last weekend it was with black espadrilles and turquoise jewelry, including that bracelet. So, yep, I like it that way too!
ReplyDeletei say a qualified yes. in this case, you have paired a lovely black dress with brown leather accents and also some brown leopard print. in my most authoritative opinion, that works because brown leather and brown animal prints are naturals. i do not believe the opposite would work though. for example, pairing a brown dress with black shoes and a zebra print accent... eeks!
ReplyDeletei also agree that the bag works better than the shoes, i think it is because the contrast is higher, since the bag is a lighter shade. but the belt also seems to work better than the shoes, and they are closer in color. so perhaps it is just that the shoes are not quite the right style?
and the bracelet is just the right zing of color :)
I agree - I think I'm a qualified yes, too. I think the shoes might just be the style - heel height/ankle strap or something. But possibly they would work better with a bag that was a closer shade - tying the belt and shoes together a bit better?
ReplyDeleteI like black and brown together. I feel like black can work with anything, and you've done a nice job styling this outfit! I don't accessorize that much, but I love seeing how others do it. Also, I think you mentioned in a previous post that you're liking how the camera photographs your hair better than your previous camera. My hair never shows up well (especially in my poorly lit photos) and even when I think I'm having a nice hair day, all the curls/waves look flat, so I totally know where your excitement about better photos is coming from!
ReplyDeleteYea. Aye. Yes. Although it does depend on the black, and on the brown. Just look at all the many, many prints available for stitchers that are some combination of black and brown.
ReplyDeleteIt's so true that curls are just tough to photograph! I have always had your same experience - I feel like I'm having a great hair day but then the pictures don't show it!
ReplyDeleteTrue! I actually have a black and brown ponte in my stash!
ReplyDeletesure! Your (beautiful) hair is a big part of the overall image.
ReplyDeletei think that while a closer color would link them together more clearly, the real issue is style clash. the shoes have more of a (and i am just grasping for adjectives here, and they probably aren't exactly right!) girly, 50's, or turn of the century style with lots of curly lines and seams, that would work with gathered skirts or possibly denim- with the right country type top. but everything else, the belt, bag, dress, and jewelry all have more of a modern/organic vibe with clean lines.
ReplyDeleteand sometimes hitting the one piece that is noticably in contrast, either in color or style, can really work to set off the outfit. but just not here.
still, with the exception of the shoes that just don't quite fit, you are rocking it. :)
I love this dress! It fits you perfectly!! ... As for the brown and black, I think it works. Sometimes other colors work better, but they're both neutrals and I rock brown and black frequently, including today.
ReplyDeleteI've changed my mind too—I used to be anti, but now I think as long as they clearly contrast, it's fine. GORGEOUS dress.
ReplyDeleteI do wear brown and black together, however, I think that in your particular outfit the scarf works really well while the shoes would be better in black or even red. Partly though because the dress seems too dressy for the shoes. I am on the fence about the belt.
ReplyDeleteLove the dress - shows off your curves to perfection. But I particularly like the way you've accessorised. This dress will take you anywhere.
ReplyDeleteTerrific dress and, while I usually don't like brown and black, I don't think it's a problem here at all. I mean, leopards are brown and black! I think it would look particularly chic with some of those crazy, tall (but flat) gladiator sandals that are all the rage.
ReplyDeleteThat would be an awesome weekend look, wouldn't it!?!? (I heart leopard print!)
ReplyDeleteOooh, Red shoes! Now there's an idea!
ReplyDelete