Fridays with Fred-Swing Time Dress

About a year ago, and my goodness can it truly be that long, I wrote an extensive post about one of my  favorite Astaire and Roger's films, 1936s Swing Time.   

This film is unique among the duo's 1930s musicals in that it is the only one that, even if indirectly, acknowledges the great depression that was ravaging the country.   Fred and Ginger play "ordinary folks" a gambling traveling show man and a dance instructor, respectively.   Perhaps due to these more pedestrian characters, the clothes in the film are some of my very favorites in the Astaire and Rogers series.  While the gowns of the 1930s are lovely, and Ginger sported many divine ones, its the everyday ensembles that really get me swooning and this film has a few of Ginger's best looks.

A beautiful plaid jacket with a cape back:

A simple winter dress with a curly fur coat and tilt hat (bonus points for Fred's adorable bowler):

And my favorite look a simple black dress with short puffed sleeves, an accordion pleated skirt and a silver bow collar:

I've wanted a version of this dress for a long time and thanks to the wonderful Etsy seller Sew Vintage Seamstress, I got the dress of my dreams:

 

 

I can't say enough about this dress!  It's so beautiful, comfortable, and just like the one in the movie!   Sew Vintage Seamstress also has the most amazing customer service.  I've worked with ALOT of Etsy merchants and she is definitely one of the best.   Not only did she exchange countless emails about what I wanted for my dress and clearly explain how to take measurements, she came up with an affordable way of pleating the skirt by ironing the pleats in.  

The dress is a bit dressy for every day wear but I've already worn out to brunch once and I plan to wear it quite a few more times this winter.   I knew the dress needed some good accessories so I paired it with black suede baby doll heels from Remix vintage shoes, seamed panty hose from What Katie Did, and a holly hair clip from Chatter Blossom on Etsy.  Chatter Blossom also has the most amazing customer service and the clips she made me have genuine dead stock 1930s lacquered leaves paired with sparkly beads.  They are simply the best Holiday hair accessory ever.

I can definitely see myself wearing this dress for many Christmases to come.  What are your favorite holiday clothes?