Why isn't anyone wearing THIS on the red carpet? This would be what I'd make if I had to do a red-carpet ANYTHING. This would be stunning in old-gold satin, with maybe tulle for that bit sticking out at the side between the scallops. Or a deep, deep fuchsia pink for a blonde. That petal bodice is to die for, and would show off a necklace (and other things) beautifully.
Who would you put in this dress? What shoes? I think NOT strappy sandals, but an open-toed d'orsay satin pump, with a diamante buckle.
[This pattern's from Lisa's Vintage Fashion Library and it's a repro, which means it's available in a range of sizes (bust 32-48) … for only $19.50! And she's running a sale through the 27th, in honor of her last teenager turning twenty! Use the code THOMAS for 20% off.]
A Dress A Day 
NOW youre talking! That last gown was a bit matronly. This is to die for.-Sandra
LikeLike
Wow! Even before I scrolled down, I said immediately, Ceil Chapman. Her designs are instantly recognizable. Im still holding out for just one Ceil Chapman, but all the surviving ones on eBay are either too small, or if theyre average size, they go for hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of dollars. Youre right — nothing could be more glamorous.
LikeLike
Ohh, thats nice!Were I a sewer, I think Id be tempted to see make that underskirting in something contrasty – maybe the gold fabric for the scalloped outer, and fuchsia or deep purple for the under. Or a silver fabric outer with an awesome-shade-of-blue under.Id probably put it on Liv Tyler. Shes always struck me as the old-fashioned looking sort.
LikeLike
Amy Adams in sea green.
LikeLike
winona ryder always seems to pull off vintage nicely. ever since she wore fingerwaves to the oscars….that pattern is perfection.
LikeLike
Gorgeous. I wish I got to do a red carpet something-or-other to wear such a dress (and had the body for it).I think Id have Kate Winslet wear it, in deep scarlet, with maybe an antique beige lace fabric on the scallop. I agree about the shoes–those were perfect.
LikeLike
Gorgeous dress. Dyed to match satin pumps to be truely vintage. (These days, a neutral like black, gold or silver.) Black satin or taffeta w/ white tulle with tiny black dots (dotted swiss – is that black or white?)for the underskirt so it froths up like sea foam, and lots of diamond jewelry. I feel a foxtrot coming on…
LikeLike
Scarlett Johansen in any color! The girl is gorgeous and even more so in vintage.
LikeLike
Peep toes, dude. And an amazing Prussian blue (hell, why cant ALL my wardrobe be in Prussian blue?).
LikeLike
Wow!Id love that in either a midnight blue or apple green with lots and lots of underskirts and a peep-toe platform pump/court dyed to match with some sort of sparkly adornment on the toe. Only a tiny pretty gold box-clutch would do to go with this, I;d keep the neckline open so just some earrings, no necklace.Why is this not in my wardrobe?
LikeLike
Salma Hayek, in chocolate brown.
LikeLike
What a find, this is beautiful!! In any color, on any grown up woman, and those are great shoes. If only my life went with it!Dawn
LikeLike
Actually, it would be very, very modern in black taffeta with hot pink for the underskirt. Although personally, Im seeing it in emerald green.
LikeLike
Oh MY! The neckline reminds me of what Judy Garland wore when she sand [i]Melancholy Baby[/i] in [i]A Star is Born[/i]. That version was deep lavender moir, I think.Id like to see this in a dull silver, though white, claret and aqua are usually my favorite dressy colors.This dress is hyper feminine. And its important that your head and shoulders have a striking frame when youre interviewed on that carpet! (PS: I am also of the no necklace with cleavage and heavy earrings school. Theres something subliminally smooth and naked about not breaking up that creamy expanse of skin.)
LikeLike
OH POOP. My fancy attempt at italicizing just died a quick, pathetic death 😦
LikeLike
I cant help thinking yellow… not that Id wear it in yellow, but I dont have an occasion to wear a dress like that anyway. I wish I could see more details of it! I wish I could see it on a red carpet photo! Because yes, thats where it belongs.
LikeLike
Judy Garland variation:http://www.whitleyheights.com/pics/garlandstarborn1.jpgAnd Im sorry, she sang Melancholy Baby in that movie, she didnt sand it. Her voice never became that raspy.
LikeLike
Liv Tyler… I cant see a color, but I do see red lips and nice earrings, but no necklace to mess up that fabulous neckline.
LikeLike
YES! Maybe now that you are in CA, you could get a job as a red carpet stylist??!
LikeLike
I think Jenna Fischer would be lovely in this! She has the sort of sweet, old-fashioned charm that would be just right. Shes petite as well and I think is more of a dress for a shorter woman, rather than a tall, willowy goddess-type. I still cant decide on a color but those shoes are GORGEOUS!I also agree with whoever said Amy Adams in green because, YES! She is lovely as well and this would be perfect on her.I watched the awards the other night for about half an hour. I saw nothing even remotely original or very attractive. Theres little that I even remember except that Tina Feys shoulder seams looked really lopsided and some other young person in red looked like she had hers on backward 😐 It was all pretty underwhelming, as they say.
LikeLike
Scarlett Johansen in Red.
LikeLike
Susan Sarandon: deep eggplant silk taffeta
LikeLike
I love love love this dress… as well as the other fancy Ceil Chapman dresses. Id love to see any of them up on the red carpet. Theyre elegant, timeless dresses.I cant think of who Id like to see in this style or what colour because I can see it in almost any colourway.
LikeLike
This would be gorg in ANY color!! Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
Why indeed? More Ceil Chapman!!
LikeLike
Sophia Loren in Red, with the Manolos custom-dyed to match.I want to be like her now, never mind when Im in my 70s!
LikeLike
Rachel McAdams in … Red. Or silver or gold. And I love Amy Adams in green!
LikeLike
Love old patterns!
LikeLike
love. Love. LOVE! i ordered the pattern. now i just need to figure out how to get it made before my cruise!
LikeLike
wait… did you say you are here? in california? in the bay area? me too! i must meet you so that i may worship at your feet!
LikeLike
I think Natalie Portman or Keira Knightley would both look wonderful in this dress in a deep purple with lavender lace contrast. (And is anyone else besides me kind of unnerved by how alike those two look?) I also agree with Scarlett Johansen- she is so pretty and vintage-looking herself (in a good way!) that she could totally pull this off, of course in bright lipstick red.
LikeLike
Yes Natalie and Keira look very much alike…probably why the played Padme/Padmes maid pretending to be Padme in Star Wars. I always get them confused.
LikeLike
Id go with Catherine Zeta Jones in a deep emerald or saphire
LikeLike
Id do it in kingfisher blue and wear silver shoes, which probably means Im tacky, but I dont care.
LikeLike
Christina Hendricks in emerald green taffeta, matching satin pumps. Grown up elegance. Thats why I like her character on Mad Men. She wears grown up clothes that women over 30 will look good in.
LikeLike