Dresses: A New Vintage

Does anyone else think it’s completely unnecessary to revisit clothing trends from the 1980s? And the 1990s for that matter? I’m convinced that 20 years was not all that long ago. I’ve enjoyed the return of the 1940s over the last several months. The only thing more depressing than a recession is having to wear the same clothing as I did in the last recession.

It’s nice to see that in their takes of fashion from my childhood Anthropologie is going for vaguely reminiscent rather than your 5-year-old clothing translated to adulthood. Thank you for that, Anthro. Their website is featuring a collection of dresses they’re calling A New Vintage.

Above is Maeve’s Musings Dress ($98). I wholeheartedly agree with the first review that there is something horribly off with the bottom of this dress. The top half is nicely accented with ruffles and brass buttons. But the bottom has frump written all over it. It added so much junk to my trunk a family tried to put their Hamptons weekenders there. It simultaneously made me look 4 months pregnant from the front. Not sure which trend that recalls but it needs to stay buried. Sorry Maeve.

I have not seen the Geometric Fields Dress ($498) in stores yet. That’s probably a good thing because I would be tempted to snap it right up. I go back and forth on the color palette of this dress — It’s mature! It’s drab! It’s fall-ready! — but I really like the shape. The woman in the second model shot has the same complexion as me and the dress looks fab on her. I’m hoping for similar results on me.

Moth’s Sideswept Sweater Dress ($128) comes in purple or yellow. They gave it a good shot in trying to create a shape. It’s a faux wrap with soft pleats coming down from the shoulder. There are three buttons at the waist to add some curve. It’s made from the same material as the Stretching Acres Cardigan ($68). Instead of feeling vintage-inspired I feel like this dress is straight out of the Renaissance. Gigi has a hysterical post right now about how a top made her feel like she was an Armadillo, or wearing a suit of armor. Well, this dress is what you’d wear over your suit of armor. I didn’t think it was possible with a wrap but this dress added heft. I had to doublecheck to make sure I hadn’t worn my petticoat that day.

I have been waiting for Leifsdottir’s Fey Grove Dress ($348) since their Fashion Week show last spring. The pattern of the dress is scrumptious. On the mannequin the pattern lines up front to back which is no small feat with a large print. I haven’t tried this dress on yet but a friend did and she described it as the dress she’s calling dibs on in our circle of friends. We’ll see about that.

A few weeks ago I wondered what would happen if Burlapp rethought the Swirled Rosette Dress ($188) with a proper top and slightly smaller flower. The answer is the Bold Boutonniere Dress ($128). I love both of these dresses! The smaller rosette on the Bold Boutinniere version does make me think Care Bear Stare a little bit but that’s one memory I don’t mind dredging back up. I hope the top is slightly less stiff than on the Swirled Rosette Dress’s top. I hope to review this in the next couple of days if any of the NYC Anthros have it in stock.

Do you have a favorite vintage dress from Anthro’s mini-collection? Or are you more apt to keep the past in the past?