Tags
No tags :(
Share it
I hate ruining this masterpiece of a vintage dress with a bad hair day, but what can I say? I got carried away with one of my DIY haircuts and couldn’t do a thing with it! Only time cures some problems. In three weeks, I’ll be good as new.
Who is Abella? I searched high and low to learn more about the vintage Abella Paris label on this 1960s wool jersey dress, which I confidently date to the 1960s because of its metal zipper. After 1970, metal zippers were all but extinct in everything but outerwear and jeans. The only person I could find in history by that name was Maria Abella de Rameriz, a writer, feminist and free thinker from Uruguay who lived from 1863 to 1925—too old for this dress.
Here’s a short detour. In 1910 Maria Abella de Ramirez launched The New Woman as the voice of the National Feminist League. Among the things she was known for: condemning the role of the church on women’s social status, protecting the rights of children who were born out of wedlock, and lambasting the moral code that created a double standard between men and women. Sounds like my kind of girl! There’s still plenty of work to be done in all three areas.
Back to my vintage dress: To further validate the date estimate, I found another vintage seller with a dress that is obviously from the same collection. Notice the similarities? Miss Sixties Vintage Fashion has a 1960s date on hers, too. She was selling her Abella for $189, so I felt pretty good about capturing this vintage beauty for $19 at an auction! It is in brand-new condition. Yay!
FYI, the ruffles on my dress travel the entire circumference of the hem! I only wish I could have filled out the bust more generously! But, as Abella of Paris would say (if there ever was and Abella of Paris) c’est la vive! What can we do but make the best of what we’ve got, including bad hair days.
To accentuate the unique design, I chose a simple, monochromatic look: gray vintage purse from the 1980s, rhinestone jewelry from the 1950s and edgy semi-sheer tights. I sincerely hope you won’t mistake the paisley-ish pattern for varicose veins! (My Mom recently noticed mine. “Oh, honey,” she practically cried, mourning over signs of age on one of her babies. “What?” I said. “Did you think you’re the only one getting older, Mom?”)
On myself, I hate bare legs with a dress or skirt. With spring here and summer coming, sometimes it’s a real challenge, especially for something as dressy as this ruffled frock. What summer leg wear options do you like?
Life is short. Wear the good stuff.
19 comments
Kelly @ Leafy Not Beefy said:
April 15, 2013 at 8:31 am
Oh, what a wonderful dress! Like the tights too! 🙂
déjà pseu said:
April 15, 2013 at 8:46 am
The ruffle detailing on that dress is spectacular! What a great find. I hate going barelegged too, but will do so in skirts/dresses that are bottom-of-knee length or longer. Some style bloggers recommend nude fishnets, but I haven’t tried those yet.
cjhammon said:
April 16, 2013 at 11:50 am
Oh that’s a great idea on the tights…I am racing to find them.
Patti @ NotDeadYet Style said:
April 15, 2013 at 9:36 am
Ah, what an exquisite dress! And I love the monochromatic choice. Thanks so much for sharing your lovely look on Visible Monday.
cjhammon said:
April 16, 2013 at 11:50 am
Awww, Thanks, Patti!
Madison said:
April 15, 2013 at 9:57 am
Fabulous Grey Dress! Great neckline and detailing.
cjhammon said:
April 16, 2013 at 11:49 am
Thank you! If only I had a little more bosom!
Kathleen Lisson said:
April 15, 2013 at 10:16 am
I love the detail on those dresses!
PinkCheetahVintage said:
April 15, 2013 at 11:20 am
You look amazing and that dress is stunning. I already have varicose veins from waitressing through two pregnancies! No fun!
Becky 🙂
trina said:
April 15, 2013 at 3:50 pm
This ruffled frock was made just for you (at least it looks this way). It is beautiful and elegant. I so enjoyed your little history lesson, I wasn’t aware of the metal zipper.
And, your DIY haircut, looks great. I can’t believe you would even attempt this.
As for the summer leg wear option, I’m still ok with the bare legs for summer, in fact I actually look forward to it. Although with items as dressy as this I would most definitely stay with a pair of sheer tights, no matter the season.
Jeannie@gracefully50 said:
April 15, 2013 at 8:39 pm
Oh my, that’s one beautiful dress! $19? Score! The ruffles!!
I don’t really like wearing hosiery in the warm weather but when need be, I choose the sheerest nude color as possible.
What’s wrong with you hair? I think it looks great!
cjhammon said:
April 16, 2013 at 11:45 am
Thank you, Jeannie!
Jan Graham-McMillen said:
April 16, 2013 at 1:56 pm
How completely beautiful you are in this amazing find. I thought immediately of Lara in Zhivago. Sad that it will have to live with the winter clothes for a few months, but it will be grand to have something to look forward to, yes? And how modern does this look? Very!
I’m still thinking about your recent post about the frills that enhance life. It’s been a bad couple of weeks for those here, but I love it that someone else is considering these things.
By the way … DYI hair is right on point from my perspective out here. Makes you look Twiggy-ish, and Mia-ish in your 60’s dress.
Have a wonderful week!
cjhammon said:
April 16, 2013 at 9:54 pm
You’re the amazing one! Thanks for the hair reinforcement. Even a day’s worth of growth has made it better!
Bella Q, The Citizen Rosebud said:
April 17, 2013 at 10:14 am
What a score- and gorgeous find! I love the grey- the ruffles, thrills and frills. Funny how there are so many amazing vintage labels now defunct that made such great garments and yet we know little about them. I’ve been experiencing that in researching vintage ties.
Love the butchered hair. I’ve been cutting my own for almost 15 years. If Keith Richards does it, why can’t we?
cjhammon said:
April 18, 2013 at 7:30 pm
Absolutely, Bella! The only thing other than wishing for a bigger bust: I wish the dress had been a tad shorter!
Sue @ A Colourful Canvas said:
April 19, 2013 at 1:40 am
I think you look gorgeous in this dress. And that includes your hair. When I see you, I see sparkly eyes, and the perfect shade of lipstick lighting up a beautiful smile.
Have you considered altering the dress? It certainly is a classic, sure to be in your wardrobe for a long time, and may be worth the investment; either time if you do it yourself, or money, if you have a tailor alter it.
cjhammon said:
April 19, 2013 at 7:56 am
That’s a good idea! I honestly think it belonged on someone taller too. I think I could alter the top, but the length is probably set because of the ruffles! Thank you for your sweetest words!
Karen Majewski said:
July 17, 2016 at 7:32 pm
I’ve got a gorgeous Abella and have also hit a dead end finding more information on this designer.