
Through the eyes of a customer
Today on the blog we have the lovely Jenny, telling the story of her Louise Rose Couture dress! I particularly love the various pockets uses!
Over to Jenny;
It all started with an upcoming annual trip to Goodwood Revival. For those not in the know, this is a three day celebration of all things vintage (mainly 40’s, 50’s and 60’s) centred around a comprehensive programme of vintage and classic car racing. It’s held at the impressive Goodwood motor circuit (not called glorious Goodwood for nothing!) and to attend is like stepping back in time, as thousands flock from all over the UK and Europe in their specially prepared outfits, complete with hairstyles and accessories.
I have been attending ever since we inherited a 1954 MG about seven years ago and had originally bought a 50’s style dress from one of the many internet 50’s styling web sites, accessorising it with a pair of plastic kitten heels from M&S (great for scrubbing the mud off if the weather has been unkind), a crop cardigan found in a Laura Ashley sale and, of course, a big petticoat. To be honest, the dress never fitted very well but, pulled in with a belt, it did the job. After a few years, however, it was looking a bit sad and tired and I really wanted a change.
Enter Louise and her 1950’s inspired but thoroughly contemporary designs – perfect! Louise sourced fabrics to co-ordinate with my collection of accessories (forgot to mention earlier my genuine crocodile handbag complete with matching purse and cigarette case which had once belonged to my husband’s granny) and I chose an abstract floral which was a clever mix of aqua, greys and my taupe coloured co-ordinating bits and pieces. We agreed on style, finish (covered buttons, piping and an inserted waistband) and completed the fitting process. The finished dress was fabulous and I looked forward to my Goodwood outing.
But, before that, I suddenly had the conundrum of what to wear to my daughter’s summer graduation. Having briefly looked around the usual suspect chain stores and feeling very uninspired, I realised that Louise’s dress would be very appropriate and guaranteed not to bump into anyone else in the same outfit. This time I accessorised it with new grey shoes and an existing aqua cardigan – perfect outfit for, what turned out to be, a perfect summer’s day and lovely occasion.
Moving on ten months or so, I was delighted and very honoured to receive an invitation to a Buckingham Palace garden party. Very exciting but what to wear? Again, I looked around the high street but could find nothing to compare to my Louise Rose Couture dress. The garden party was to be in May, a tricky month for weather in my experience, so I felt I needed something warmer to wear over it in case it turned out to be a wintry May day rather than the Spring like one we were all hoping for. Solved this very easily with a Ted Baker grey cropped jacket – looked lovey but in the event, wasn’t needed at the temperature hit twenty three degrees! Also, to look the part, I found a grey 50’s style wide brimmed hat in Jaques Vert and finished the outfit off with my beloved vintage bag. Again, the perfect outfit for the occasion and guaranteed not to spot it on anyone else.
So, where next for my dress? Well, I already have two wedding invitations for next year (suddenly got to an age where my friend’s children are getting married – ageing and exciting all at the same time!) I now have a hat, a jacket, two cardigans and two pairs of shoes to accessorise, so can really wear it in any season and style it very differently. Got a feeling it’s going to turn up at both – unless I order a second one, of course!
The dress is a joy to wear – it feels substantial and well structured, doesn’t crease and, once on, I just forget about it – no fiddling or pulling. The concealed deep pockets that are a feature of all Louise’s dresses have been a revelation. What is so comforting about securing hands in a pocket? And then there is the practicality. So far, mine have carried my iphone, sunglasses, tickets and passes and a smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel (well, it was cling filmed to within an inch of its life!) As well as the occasions mentioned here, I have enjoyed wearing it for simple lunches out and birthday celebrations and always feel appropriately dressed and good in it – a true timeless classic. The more I think about it, I think I better get that next one ordered!
Thank you Jenny, it’s great to hear how versatile these dresses can be!
I absolutely love seeing photos of my dresses out in the wild!
Interested in having a dress made for yourself? Head over to here for further details or get in touch!