Etsy used to be THE place to find a cheap thrill or two that has that ‘This is home-made’ quality, but the bar has been significantly raised of late and you’re getting incredible things surface that are of course, that touch pricier. The thing I love about Etsy is the one-on-one communication between buyer and seller that is a a lot more personal than buying from online merchants of even eBay. Just the general nature of sellers aiming to please makes Etsy a lot more pleasurable. The banter between buyer and seller has extended to doing custom made pieces such as this ‘Hepburn’ dress that is made-to-measure by Seed Clothing who are based in LA. On a separate note, this is running in the opposite direction of fast in-and-out fashion, and I predict the market for bespoke, tailored and made-to-fit will creep up slowly and perhaps soon we shall all be making weekly trips to the ‘dressmakers’ just as we did 100 years ago (or even 50 depending on how staunchly traditional you were…).
After YSL’s launch of Edition 24 (the 50-style line of YSL essentials), I’ve been motivated on working on putting together my own collection of essentials and have in fact ticked off most boxes (susprisingly seeing as I’ve never been one to accumulate ‘essentials’). However, the perfect all-occasions, dress-up, dress-down dress hasn’t found it’s way over to me and the Hepburn is well on its way to getting that box ticked. It’s made out of a gray slate fabric (a colour that would get more wears than others… well at least for me…) that apparently looks better the more wrinkled it gets. All the better to shove it in my tote for latter-day changing. I love how the Hepburn name points to the dress’ classic qualities rather than actually emulating Audrey Hepburn’s style with the hard to date slight A-line shape and centre tuck. Finding an essential on Etsy was not something I expected at all….
I think that weekly trips to the dress maker would make much more sense than always buying ready to wear. I’m not a perfect size and thus I am forever taking new clothes to the tailor since I’m not very handy with a sewing machine. It may even be more affordable since the added price of tailoring bumps up the overall cost of a piece of clothing.
My mum likes to tell me about how when she was in her twenties and couldn’t afford nice clothes she spent money and designer fabrics and patterns and made them herself. Alas, she doesn’t seem to keen on becoming my personal dressmaker.
That Hepburn dress is beautiful. I must scour etsy for my very own treasures.
She is really really loosing weight… getting sickly.
Susie, thank you so much for your lovely comment yesterday!
Although it’s my job to be ‘knowledgeable’ I’m always in awe of your blog – for sometimes bringing new designers to my attention and for ALWAYS reigniting my love for fashion (which can sometimes dwindle when you’re faced with it 24/7!). x
Susie,
I totally agree with you and see this trend growing hugely. I too love Etsy and since I found it, have been praising it to everyone I can. There are some amazing people and items on there.
I also love how we can now get “bespoke” items from “our” cobbler/dressmaker/jeweler but that person may be half a world away.
I just had a great experience with getting shoes made from Hetty Rose –
http://shoedaydreams.blogspot.com/2007/09/beauteous-bespoke.html
I’d love to hear more from you.
Luv
Poochie
http://www.shoedaydreams.com
shoedaydreams.blogspot.com
What a gorgeous dress!
Thanks for the link. Your recommendations are always spot-on!
I love buying RTW clothes and just getting a tailor to fit the piece to my personal shape. It’s a lot more cost effective than having a garment made for you and adds a personal touch to something that’s just off-the-rack.
Lily
BeautyMaverick.com
Oh my! That model looks just like Cate Blanchett! Maybe I’m hallucinating because all of those “Elizabeth: The Golden Age” previews…
wow, i adore that dress. it just seems so perfect for any occasion. want it want it want it want it!
beautiful modern dress
There are always little handmade shops popping up online here and there. And of course there is etsy, which is lovely.
I think it’d be nice to go back to days of old with bespoke clothing. If I had better time management skills I would love to make more of my own clothes.
This is my FAVORITE Etsy shop for beautiful clothing, she does customs, too:
http://leanimal.etsy.com
i love to see etsy shouted out on this wonderful blog. i am a designer and read stylebubble to stay informed and inspired. i also sell on etsy and agree that the clothing offerings have been stepped up of late, which is exciting for everyone. here’s my shop: http://annamatrona.etsy.com
love,
anna