Vintage 80s dress: Keep and Repair or Donate?

In dressing for today's 80s challenge I discovered that my vintage Vuokko dress had been nibbled by moths. There's a small hole in it.

I know a seamstress who does invisible mending. There is a LOT of extra fabric on this dress and some could be taken from the bottom (still keeping it a midi) or from the wide obi-like belt to fix it, if it seemed worth it.

The dress is probably one of the last to come from the Vuokko line.

However, it is huge, and maybe too dated to bother saving, despite sentimental value.

What think you?

I am showing it belted (there is also a thinner self belt which can be used as an alternate, and the current belt can be used as scarf...of course an elastic or other belt also works). It is bloused a lot to bring it up in length. I show it unbelted also so you can see, and I've showed side and back views.

Please note: I'm quite foreshortened in these photos. Yes, my legs ARE short, but not as short as they appear here, I guarantee it. My daughter agreed, on looking at the pics, that it's not the same as IRL. It's something to do with the camera distance and angle. We'll work on it!

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12 years ago

sarah

Veteran

OK, this is a cool dress, but I agree that it looks ENORMOUS on you, particularly from the back. I would vote pass on trying to make it wearable again.

Queen Mum

I have to agree with Sarah. This dress is way too big as is. What about having a seamstress use the fabric to make a new dress?

Transcona Shannon

I think there's room for two Suz's in that dress!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I vote pass on, Suz.

nancylee

Suz, I really love the unique and dramatic shape of this dress and would love to have it work for you.....but to make it fit I think you'd have to reconfigure it entirely.

Suz

Okay, ladies, out it goes! I saved it from yesterday's bags, but it will go with the next batch.

rute

So 80's! too dated and it's huge!

HelenInCanada

Wow, such a dramatic shape, quite artistic - now that is what I call adding "interest" to your wardrobe! Sorry that you have to give it away, but your frame is certainly tiny in it! I am positive someone will love this at the thrift store!

BUT...I'm wondering, perhaps it holds special value as one of the final dresses in the Vuokko line - as you've mentioned - maybe you'll score great success on ebay...? Rarity breeds demand!

ETA. I actually think you should keep as a sentimental piece.

mamaKate

I see I'm in the minority here, but I have had regrets multiple times in the past when I have gotten rid of an item with sentimental value. With the right eye and care, your dress can be not only repaired but reworked in a way that makes you want to wear it. I suggest finding a good friend who is creative and handy with a sewing machine. I have reworked a few items for a good friend of mine in this way, not to mention my own wardrobe. No one will love it as much as you have.
But either way, have fun!

Janet

It does seem to be swallowing you. It's a shame, but I would let it go.

lyn67

Too big, owerhelming on you for nowadays silouttes!!:-((
Really sorry for letting it go as I trully loved the nr 1.

Aida

(Suz! Is your daughter close to your height? Have her kneel down and position the camera so it's about hip height and angle it up at you slightly. Also have her zoom the camera in and stand as far away as possible while filling the frame )

Heather

Suz, I am in love with the idea of this dress; however, I think four Suzes could fit in there!

If YOU love THIS dress, then I think you should investigate the cost of alteration/repair. If you are on the fence, donate and don't look back.

No more ball and chain. You are too fab to sweat it.

modgrl

It is giant. But what a great 80's piece. Now you have pictures to remember it by and you can pass it on.

Rita, what a great point. The documentary evidence is there. Truth is, I haven't worn the dress since 1989, so I truly won't miss it. I'm glad it was in my closet for this challenge.

And since I've just sent the donate bags out the door, I might keep it for a bit to see if I have a clever friend who could alter, as MamaKate and Helen suggest. I did alter a few older Marimekko dresses this summer and got some wear out of them, although the truth is, I didn't feel as fab in them as in my contemporary clothes. I always loved the sleeves on this dress, though, and the fabric, which is a lovely quality.

Aida, THANK YOU for the photo advice. My daughter is about 4 or 5 inches shorter than me, yes. And she has to stand pretty close; the kitchen is our only room with bright light. But I might be able to stand in a different part of the kitchen and get her further away, and she certainly can kneel so she's hip height or thereabouts! Or we can try the stairway trick again. We'll experiment. We had it more or less figured out for outdoors, and now have to move inside because it's dark so much earlier.

Can you try to put your camera on your kitchen table and stand about 8-10 feet away from it? That gives me the most accurate perspective. As soon as I found this angle, people started commenting that I looked taller. I always set the self timer to 4 pix and pick the best one.

Thanks, Rita. I will see. Our kitchen is so tiny - 10 x 10 at a real stretch (including counter space) so it's tight. But our dining table (adjacent) might work...or a counter. We'll fiddle with it and get it right eventually!

Ornella

Bumping, I am picturing Jenava in that dress...

krishnidoux

I understand why you kept this dress! It is beautiful in its own style. But it does look big on you, now that fashion has moved to a more fitted look. I remember in the 80's how it was somewhat OK to wear very oversize clothes though.

Fruitful

Suz, I fell in love when I saw this dress on you in the 80s thread. I don't like you to get rid of it

I had an incredibly stylish, petite teacher in grade 6 (1986) who I thought was absolutely beautiful. She had similar hair colour to you, short, only long enough on top to sweep dramatically up and back. I seem to remember her wearing fuchsia blush She encouraged me in every way and had a huge impact on me. I could have imagined her in something like this.

But if you are not attached to it, I guess you could let it go to a more loving home.

Aida is right about the photography. The standard advice is to have the camera angled down to make a person look thin. But I have my camera lower down, to get maximum leg length.

You will do what's best. What a wonderful piece to have had in your wardrobe and your life!

rosee

The dress is too big on you, especially considering how things are currently worn. I would argue however not to get rid of it just yet. I know you aren't that attached, but see if a seamstress can do something first, or restyle it to something you would wear. I can't tell for sure from a photo but I do seem to like the fabric -- maybe you can do something fun with that. If you really don't want it then at least you have the pics.

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