Vintage Persephone

[persephone33]

Oh, gentle reader, I have gone and topped even what I thought I was capable of.

And I have no one to blame but myself.

Today, I went by the theatre to retrieve my script so that I could study lines this weekend, and the director asked me if I could go over to the place where they store the costumes so that I could try some on. We pulled a few; some vintage 1950's dresses, some reconstructions, and some that were truly gorgeous. Well, I found a few that would work, with a little altering here and there (Seriously - did women in the 1950's have no breasts?), but there was one that was really beautiful. A great color (deep turquoise and green), a great cut, perfect for the character, for the era, everything. I saved it to try on 'til last.

I got it over my head just fine, and even over my hips, but then it was as if something snapped horribly into place. The arms of this dress turned into a torture device. I could not get it the rest of the way on, and I could not get it off. I spent about 45 minutes with a seam ripper being held at odd angles, indeed... trying not to destroy this charming vintage costume which is probably worth quite a bit. I swore. I prayed. I cried. I bargained with God and the dress. I considered setting the dress on fire. I considered setting myself on fire.

Finally, with MUCH trepidation, I called my husband. After he finished LAUGHING HYSTERICALLY, I explained my dilemma, and currently am sitting in this 1950's silk version of the rack waiting for him to come and rescue me from its evil clutches.

I have spent the last HOUR AND A HALF trapped. Because I've gained a little too much weight in the last six months for vintage couture to really go over my apparently ham sized arms, damn it.

When I get out of this thing, I'm GOING TO MAKE IT WORK. Adding fabric, easing seam allowances - whatever. I'm reworking this bad boy and if it KILLS me, I'm going to wear this freaking thing in the show. I didn't cut it off of me because the costumer in me wouldn't allow it, but I refuse to be defeated by a dress.

Even if I have. A little bit.

Hurry up, Nolan. It hurts.

Comments

[elyaeru.livejournal.com]

... photos!

(Of the dress of course. I'm not that much of a sadist. :P)

[persephone33.livejournal.com]

Oh, I will. We have not heard the last of this subject.

[nbaeker.livejournal.com]

Oh lord, the thing that I've learned in my 'trying on vintage costuming' is *always* have someone else around and *never* try and do it up yourself. luckily the ripping sound in my case was a zipping sound.


You will have the prettiest of pretty dresses, dear, I just *know* it. You're pretty well genius like that.

A case of 'the dress has won the battle but you'll win the war', I think.

[persephone33.livejournal.com]

It didn't rip, but it was a close call.

CLOSE call.

Thank you for your faith in me. :)

[nbaeker.livejournal.com]

The faith I have in you is entirely warranted *nods* It is what it is. :)

[elle-blessing.livejournal.com]

*SMOOOOSH*

You will overcome the inanimate object! *CHEERS ON!*

In the meantime, it may have earned itself a name, like Frank. Erma?

XDXD

[persephone33.livejournal.com]

It has indeed. I'll come up with one whilst I am ripping seams.

[seegrim.livejournal.com]

ham sized arms

I'm sorry. I felt into fits of giggles here and it took a while to finish reading the rest.

you KILL me DED.

*loves you*

[persephone33.livejournal.com]

Love you, too. Bunches.

[tracyj23.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, I have to confess I laughed. I've been in a similar situation myself when trying on vintage clothing. It's rather humiliating to be beaten by a dress!

Hang in there *literally* - it will end soon. :)

[persephone33.livejournal.com]

Mortifying. True story.

Nolan saved me, though.

He laughed while he was doing it, but he saved me.

[jandjsalmon.livejournal.com]

Oh, Carrie! That sucks! But I'm glad you can see the humour - even in things like this. :D

[persephone33.livejournal.com]

If you don't laugh, you go vintage homicidal on the vintage dress, right?

[cosmo-jenny.livejournal.com]

That sucks.
At least, you have Nolan to call.
I think the last time something like this happened to me it was in a small fitting room and I had to wriggle out of the shirt as carefully as possible.

[persephone33.livejournal.com]

At least I have Nolan to call, yes, but he'll tease me about this for the rest of our natural lives, I'm sure.

Ah. well. The price you pay for freedom.

[dragonsangel68.livejournal.com]

This dress owes it to you to be altered without complaint!

[wolfstar07.livejournal.com]

I've totally been in that situation.

Except I don't think the dresses were ever that valuable.

And I was trying to get out. I don't understand why it's harder getting out than in. I swear those bodices and arm holes shrink. Luckily was always there, even if it was in a public dressing room.

[maureen.livejournal.com]

Duuuuuude. I think you were very brave to even try the thing on. vintage clothes are cut SO differently. Ugh.

[dieloreley.livejournal.com]

*cackles* Oh, Carrie, you're too funny. Did you get out of the too-small dress in the end? Good luck with it!

[slitherhither.livejournal.com]

I read this when you posted it but didn't have time to appropriately comment (then fell off lj planet for a few weeks...). Anyway, I laughed so hard, and felt so sorry for you! To be trapped by a dress that you respect too much to force your way out of--tis truly a terrible situation. ANd seriously, if Nolan didn't tease you about it FOREVER you wouldn't respect him, and you'd also have to tell the story yourself, which is just not the same. I'm glad you and the dress appear to have come to an understanding (?)--must catch up further on your lj to see if that's true. (p.s. am currently wearing my X-rated apron! well, with clothes underneath, so it's not really X-rated (TMI!). Besides, I'm too old to get away with that fashion stunt anymore. *sighs*)

[persephone33.livejournal.com]

Heh. X-rated apron.

I think that I'll bill them as such!