Thursday, September 18, 2008

The Quality of Mercy . . . Details, Details

I’m never comfortable when I post an image of a garment that I’m not completely thrilled with. It’s as if I’m wearing it—the image is supposed to be representative of me and if it isn’t one hundred percent, I squirm and fidget until I either change clothes or take down the post.

This isn’t the case when I think that I have a truly outrageous image—the treadful shoes of a few weeks back, for instance.

Rather, it’s the “almost” attractive garment that tortures me. I love harmony, be it asymmetry, a clash of patterns, a clean line. If it works, I’m content. But—oh—the misery when something isn’t quite right.

So: I hope that this post stays up. We’ll see.

Here’s what I’ve been wrestling with today. A catalogue arrived from Peruvian Connection, which is, as far as I can tell, a collection of handsomely made sweaters and dresses, though they’re usually not my style.

A dress did catch my eye, though, the red one above, because it was embellished with Suzanis, which I adore. A closer look revealed the waist-defining band, which I like, and the deep V, which I also find flattering. I was warming to this silk dress.

But then—I read that the dress had a tie in the back and slapped the catalogue closed with an agonized cry. (Remember when St. John Rivers proposes marriage to Jane Eyre and her response is “Have mercy!”? The two moments aren't completely dissimilar.)

To me, a tie in the back conjures up an expanding waistline, one that grows into full-fledged maternity wear. And after happily having carried three children, and worn dresses with ties in the back for many a month, I do not wish to reenact that stylish phase unless biologically required to do so.

Sorry, Peruvian Connection, no sale today.

Is there a sartorial detail that’s a real deal-breaker for you?

11 comments:

Songy said...

I'm thinking hard here..pleats on trousers. That's it. I can't stand them.

I love that dress. I wonder if you could just 'remove' the tie somehow?

Miss Cavendish said...

My fear is that the tie is essential for a "fitted" waist . . .

WendyB said...

Ossie Clark often used a tie around an empire waist so I don't mind it at all.

Miss Cavendish said...

Well then: I'm feeling a little better. And if I really think about it, my Wyeth dress (my Jane Austen in LA dress) has a tie around *its* empire waist, but because I pretend I'm Jane in LA while wearing it, I never feel pregnant.

Seeker said...

A tie in the back.... Hummm, like songy I ask maybe could you take it off?

Short lenght for me is a deal-breaker.

xx

Miss Cavendish said...

I'm trying now to work the Ossie Clark vibe, to see whether my gestalt can handle it . . .

Anonymous said...

Oh I am so with you. Dress ties drive me batso, and I just won't have them. Also won't have gold hardware or buttons, crochet, or mules. I know mules are an entire style, but I'm still including them!

Miss Cavendish said...

Oh yes, Sal . . . Ditto (though I'm not put off by crochet).

Kelly said...

I actually actively look for waist ties. I love them, because I can cinch the waist in far more than I could be if the garment didn't have it.

I feel like it's hard to answer this question because everything I've said this about before, I've ended up eventually buying and kind of liking. I actually thought of one the other day but now I can't remember it....I'll stew over it and if I can remember I'll come back!

K.Line said...

I'm totally with you on the waist tie - esp. from the front to the back. And with Songy on the front pleats on pants. Given the boobs, I'm not going to do anything with ruffles near the chest. But isn't there an exception to every rule?

Elizabeth said...

Elasticized waists on street clothes (not gym clothes) throws me right off. yuk.

I see what you mean about the tie on this dress. It was superfluous at best, icky at worst. I would have had the same reaction.

I wonder if you could get it and then get out your seam ripper, and remove that tie?