Monday, March 21, 2016

A Unicorn for My Sartorial Stable: Pink Lemonade Nancy

Ok, confession time: I completely failed at my buy-nothing-in-February pledge. I made it about two weeks, which isn’t particularly impressive. BUT! There’s a very good reason that I failed, and here it is!!
This dress was my biggest ‘unicorn,’ (e.g. an item I didn’t buy when it was available and have been trying to track down in the secondhand market ever since.) By the time I discovered Pinup Girl Clothing, this dress was already sold out in my size, but I fell in love with the print and couldn’t let it go. I ended up with the same dress in a different print, which confirmed that the fit was perfect for me, but couldn’t give up on my dreams of lemons and leaves on a pretty pink background. I pined. I tormented myself by reading Taylor Phoenix’s review of the dress, and looking at PUG’s website over and over, hoping it would magically reappear in my size. I posted a pic of the dress as my #ProposedPUG entry on Instagram. Turns out that hashtag isn’t about getting engaged to your favorite garments, but about asking PUG to bring back old favorites that have sold out.

And then, wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles, one day an Instagram friend messaged me to say she’d seen it on eBay, and remembered my Proposed PUG post! I was literally out the door on my way to do errands at that point, but I ran back inside, googled it, and placed a bid. In what felt like another miracle, six days later I won the auction. I was so excited that I commemorated the occasion by making this meme:


My new dress spent a couple of weeks traveling from its old home in Australia to Chicago, and arrived to Much Rejoicing. Let me tell you, the print was everything I wanted it to be and more! It's so bright and cheerful, and the little heart buttons and lacy edging at the top of the bodice are beyond sweet.
This photo shows the colors of the dress more accurately than the full-body shots. I think it has something to do with the cloudy weather during this photo shoot.
You'll never want for goofy faces so long as you read this blog!
When the border of your photos matches your belt, you *might* be a little detail-oriented.

This dress fits true to size, and I think it's also very flattering. The seam between the skirt and the bodice hits right at the bottom edge of my waist, so if you're much shorter than me, or especially short-waisted, this might not be an ideal cut for you, but I like how it elongates my hobbity torso! I'm also incredibly impressed by the construction of the bodice. It's vanishingly rare that I find a dress that's supportive enough to maybesometimespossibly go braless in, but the Nancy gets the job done sans underwire! Apart from this dress, I don't really own anything else that I find supportive enough. It's basically a modern miracle, and I'm pretty excited about it!

A few other noteworthy aspects of this dress include the super-deep pockets on the side seams, the adjustable straps (a godsend!), and the full circle skirt, which is perfect for twirling.
See?
One more, just in case you weren't convinced of Nancy's twirly merits by the previous photo.
Again, this one gives you a better idea of how the colors look in real life.
Dress: Pinup Girl Clothing
Belt: a random Amazon purchase
Petticoat: Malco Modes Samantha
Shoes: B.A.I.T. Footwear Jenny in Celery
Hair flower: Penelope peony from Daisy Jean Floral Designs
Purse: Pinup Girl Clothing, secondhand

This dress totally surpassed the expectations I had built up for it: the pattern is vibrant and delightful in real life, it fits incredibly well, and wearing it just makes me so cheery and happy that I probably look a little odd from all the grinning. Unicorns do exist, people, and I am grateful for the kindness of strangers!

What's your "one that got away?" Are you still searching for it?

10 comments:

  1. LOVE this dress on you! So happy you were finally able to track one down in your size! The colors are great, and the print is adorable.

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    1. Thank you so much! It was the most exciting acquisition in quite a long time. I couldn't *wait* for the weather to warm up enough to wear it without tights, too :).

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  2. That's awesome! Finding your unicorn is the BEES KNEES! My unicorn is the the red rose Jenny skirt....I mean....c'mon, it's a must have!!!

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    1. It really is the most awesome feeling! The red rose Jenny skirt is just perfect; definitely a must-have! I'll keep my eyes peeled for you!!

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  3. That dress is fabulous, and I loved reading about how you got it! That must have been so exhilarating to finally track it down!

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    1. Thank you! It still absolutely blows my mind that someone I've never met in real life took the time to 1) remember that I wanted this, and 2) let me know it was out there in the world, waiting for me to win it. It sort of restores my faith in online humanity ;). The day it arrived, I lost my mind with joy a little, and I still get so excited that it's really in my closet!

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  4. I love how you styled it with the green accents! I tried this dress on in the boutique and fell in love instantly but at the time I was not ready to spend that kind of money so I was admiring from afar for a good long time. And then one magical day, I found that it was sent to OYS so I jumped at the chance but I had the dilemma of...pink...or...blue?! In the end I got the blue. Funny thing is, that I loved it for a long time and it was a surprise favorite for many others after it went on sale. Like you I love the sweet details, pockets and circle skirt. It is one of my favorites!!

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    1. That's such an amazing yardsale find! I bet it looks gorgeous on you, too! The blue was such a cute print, and had the most amazing shades in the print. By the time I discovered PUG, it was gone from the site, but I've seen a few on the swap group and wish one would come up in my size. I can't wait till you post a photo in yours!

      All dresses should come with pockets!

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  5. I've been a PUG fan for a few years now and I don't even remember this one! But now I will! It's totally lovely! And I love how you paired it with purples!!! Also, cute meme!! XO

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    1. I think it came and went pretty quickly -- the Nancy fit just doesn't get the same love as the Jennys. Thank you so much! I'm pretty much just looking for any excuse to use this purse right now ;).

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