Now why can't this kind of 80's come back 'in'? Wait. I see why.

In a word: shoulders.

So... I have to put together three costumes for DragonCon in September, so I stopped by Goodwill today to see if there were any red pumps in my size. (There weren't).

However... I found an absolutely pristine creamy St. John knit dress from the 1980's. $6.36 plus tax. I am about to list it on Goodwill, since I see similar style St. John dresses that are listed are actually being bid on.

Silly me tried the dress on, and there is something I really like about it - and something I kind of dislike about it - and it is all to do with the sleeves and the shoulders. It is a strong shoulder for a shortie like me, even in heels. There is this strange little tongue of knit fabric that I thought was a shoulder pad, but then I realized that, flipped out, it looks like it is supposed to be seen. Or not. I am not sure.

The detailing and quality of this dress are stunning. The loose knit of the sleeves kills me.

Please disregard the gnarly hair and the lack of smoothing shapewear! I grabbed a pair of clear heels so that I could focus on the dress.

So just for giggles, how would you style it to make it less 1986 Diana, Princess of Wales, and more 2014?

1-2 - Me, unstyled, in the dress
3 On my dressmaker form
4-6 Detailing on the sleeves

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11 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

Hmmm, can you fit a jacket over the sleeves to hide them?

bella

(website)

IMHO, it looks amazing on you, sleeves and all...

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

Do you know what? The seems so obvious, and yet, it never crossed my mind! Durrrr... yes. I can fit a jacket over the sleeves!

Which really brings me to my next thought - which is that I probably don't need another dress. On the other hand, I recently listed some dresses on eBay, so I am heeding my one in, one out rule.

Going to think on it some more. And list it in the meantime. That way, if it sells immediately, I can tell myself it wasn't meant to be

Angela K

Well, maybe I'm hopeless but I love the dress and yes, I love the sleeves. They are so elegant and the dress is so feminine. I don't think you would get tons of wear out of it--but for a special occasion IMHO I think it's beautiful and you definitely won't "see yourself coming and going" in this one.

Anonymous

Whoa, LBD. That looks SO good on you! I think the little thingy is a support for the sleeves, to kind of hold them out and up away from the shoulders (and not sag). I was there (in the 80's) and the sleeves are meant to be sort of sculptural. My mom made my prom dress from a Vogue pattern and the sleeves were two ginormous roses that connected front and back.

This is so gorgeous on you that it might be worth taking to a tailor to see if some sort of sleeve-ectomy is possible. I hope you can wear it at least once it you do decide to sell it.

Gaylene

That strange little piece is probably an attached shoulder cap used to hold up the top of the puffed sleeve so the top of the sleeve doesn't collapse. Sleeve caps are a construction detail used to keep the "puff" at the top of the sleeve; the cap is usually hidden between the outer fabric and the lining, but, because this sleeve is an lacey knit, the designer has devised a knitted cap that is part of the sleeve itself--a clever detail.

It's an interesting, retro look because of the sleeve, and the fit is perfect on you. It could be fun to play around with to see if you can figure out how to bring it in 2014.

MsMaven

Dress looks gorgeous on you and also looks like it fits very well. I guess it depends on how many dresses you have and wear already.

I used to see a group of women in the late 80s--several of them wore St.John and looked fabulous. I went to a trunk show and tried everything on but it was all strange or blah. They just weren't proportioned right for my body.

I did envy those who could wear them, though.

modgrl

I love the dress as is and it is so lovely on you. Could you see yourself wearing it any time soon?

celia

Yea, I kind of like the dress as is. The sleeves seem like a nice detail and they are not overdone, imo.
If they had shoulder pads however....

rabbit

It's probably a travesty, but I'd just have the sleeves cut off and wear it (if it would get use in your closet). To me they are visually interesting but not doing anything particular in flattering the wearer and the dress would be so versatile and timeless without them. You look like Christina Hendricks in that fit and color of dress, gorgeous!

Niki Lea

The sleeves are the best part! I love that dress on you! So cute and unlike anything you'll see on anybody else.

Sal

I actually like it as it is....

I would wear it with modern shoes - probably caged heels or maybe pointy pumps in a colour....with a modern hairstyle (probably sleek with no 1980s pouf), and a sleek clutch.

I was too young for this dress in the 80s but then it would have had full hair and maybe cream stockings and an Oroton bag.

Parsley

WOW- you do look gorgeous in that dress!
It is so cool in a vintage sort of way, I'd love to see you keep it and wear it!
OTOH, if you don't feel right in it, you should be able to make a tidy little profit, so that's not a bad thing, either.
As someone who was a not so young adult during the eighties, I agree that those little "tongues" are supposed to support the height of the sleeves.

Alassë

It looks very nice on you!

First of all.... THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR THE POSITIVE RESPONSES!!! You all really made my day! In truth, I had expected we would all have a good chuckle about 80's fashions, and reference "Designing Women" a few times.

One thing about this dress that was very useful - I used it as a yardstick as I went back through my closet this afternoon and culled the dress herd again. I've been pretty picky about my dresses - but this time I had some new ideas for criteria, including the quality of the fabric, and the fit across the back of the dress in the waist area. I have a short waist, and if a dress didn't fit like this St. John one, I re-assessed it carefully. I was able to pull four dresses out of my closet to resell or donate, plus a pair of heels that went with one of those dresses.

In truth, I really do like this dress a lot. I have some thinking to do. This dress would be a straight-up replacement for the white dress I have been wearing the past three years to the ballet, concerts, holiday parties. The old dress needed a full-length Spanx-slip in order not to be see-through, which I hated. So... can I use this dress? Yes. Most definitely. Do I need this dress? No. I have a lot of other things to wear to the ballet, concerts, holiday parties, etc.

The BF really liked the photos, but he is out of town, so I am going to wait until he gets back and let him see it in person. He has a finely-tuned radar about what works for me. If he gives the thumbs-up, it's a keeper.

I love love LOVE the ideas about caged sandals, and sleek hair.

This was supposed to be No (More) Buy(ing) July! Hah! But it did motivate me to purge some of my clothing clutter, so in the end, I came out ahead in my wardrobe planning goals. That alone makes it worth the $6.36 plus tax.

Laurie

Active Member

I think it looks beautiful on you just as it is. And for $6.36.. I'd keep. It's unique, but in a good way

Yes, this dress is a good measuring stick to use against all the other dresses in your wardrobe. I have one designer piece of clothing (also thrifted, for a a pittance) and it has changed the way I assess everything else I buy and wear!

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