I have dreamt about going to Paris for forever, like forever forever. In my mind I always had it worked out that I could be there in July when it would be summer, I could celebrate my birthday there with The Englishman, the couture shows are on and the Tour de France finishes in Paris. Add in some cheese, bread and pastries and we are pretty much getting close to all my favourite things in one place. So far that is yet to happen, but I have been living vicariously though the Instagram feeds of Roisin and Christine. Jealous much? um yeah, a whole lot of jealous.
So instead of being in Paris for my birthday I found myself in Bondi Junction Spotlight and saw some lovely Japanese Lawn (I adore this fabric so much). Not overly thinking it I saw it as a lovely geometric print…then I realised no, it was mini Eiffel towers with lasers shooting out of it! SOLD!
I needed something fun to make out of it and settled on the Pauline Alice Malvarosa dress as I love the ease of construction, no zips, no buttons! Plus it’s breezy style is perfect for this odd inbetween type weather we are in as I can match it with tights and a jacket and then as it warms up wear it on it’s own.
I finished it up last week and was wearing it to head to a meeting so grabbed 3 very quick photos before I headed out. Only 3 because I had a meeting and it was so windy this day that I couldn’t wait to put my jacket on.
I’m standing weirdly and the wind has caught my skirt but I’m pretty happy with the dress. I find the lawn gets a better drape to it after it’s been washed which means the skirt looses some of it’s poufyness at the gathering which is good. The wrinkle above the bust is due to me being slouchy more than anything else.
I didn’t get a back shot but I get some slight pooling at the lower back, am unsure if it’s because the gathering skirt was sticking to my tights or if I could take it in a bit? I’m not bothered by it as I prefer a drop waisted dress to be loose and breezy but I’d like to see if I can fix it?
Much like my last Malvarosa I didn’t bother with the facings, just bagged the whole top out for a clean finish.
One last photo of me trying not to laugh and telling The Englishman to hurry up so I can put on my jacket. The complete derp face photo I’m saving for instagram as it’s just too “what the?” style face. So funny.
Amanda
Eiffel Towers with lasers?! Damn you find the best fabrics!!!!
This is such the summer frock of coolness! If only winter would be done already…
Susan Goodwin
Thanks!
We were almost done with winter and now it’s thrown rain at us! Bring on summer.
This lovely fabric from Spotlight came in multiple colourways so you may be able to purchase your very own Eiffel towers shooting lasers?
Melanie
Tres cute! Looking at you I’d think it was summer (but I know better)! I like this style on you and the fabric is so funny.
Susan Goodwin
ah yes it was a somewhat cold and windy day when the photos were taken (I did put on a jacket before cycling though). I like a nice loose drop waist dress, it feels like it covers up lots of stuff and yet still has a nice silhouette?
Charlotte
Oohh the Malvarosa has been on my to-make list for a while & this makes me want to make it even more! Love the fabric & the dress looks gorgeous.
Susan Goodwin
Thanks!
Seriously make it! I had to fix the length up a bit the first time I made it (but I’m short) and a minor blocking in of the neckline, but it’s so fast to sew up and with no zip or buttons it goes together in a flash.
Emma
Great pics!! Love the fabric and pattern choice. I only saw the malvarosa recently in real life on a friend and i love the quirky pattern elements particularly the sleeves which i hadnt noticed on blog posts before. Think i might give it a shot myself this summer.
Susan Goodwin
Thank you! I feel like I’m so bad at photos, am trying to get more used to it.
I’m yet to try the longer style sleeves (am thinking in wool it will make a great dress for UK winters) but even this little extended sleeve is nice. Your covered but not too much so and I feel better about wearing it to meetings than say a strappy style dress.
Kirsty
You know this is a favourite dress of mine and I really love this on you. That fabric is just brilliant and I think you ought to start planning your Paris trip for next year! love those riding gloves too btw 🙂
Susan Goodwin
Thank you! would love to be planning wonderful adventures but we are in savings mode at the moment. Be totally worth it later though so that’s ok.
I was so pleased with how this one worked out and the fabric is great because you almost can’t tell it’s tiny Eiffel Towers which is nice. I have multiple pairs of leather riding gloves. These are cream with gold zip closures on the sides, they look cute and keep my fingers toasty warm.
Kristy
What awesome fabric, it looks very cool made up in this pattern. Great find from Spotlight Bondi Junction, I haven’t heard great things about that store
Susan Goodwin
Thanks, I do great at Spotlight Bondi Junction. I had appalling service at another non Spotlight store on the weekend, won’t be going back there anytime soon.
Pauline alice
You look gorgeous in your new “Paris” Malvarosa! The fabric is so beautiful and I can’t help but notice your amazing riding gloves!
Susan Goodwin
I should thank you for the great pattern! It’s such a nice shape and I love the pockets in the seam.
Am a big fan of pretty riding gloves so try and pick them up whenever I can. Keeps my hands warm and is a nice finish to an outfit too.
Catherine
Heck yes that is awesome fabric! Eiffel Tower and lasers! Great job!
Susan Goodwin
Thanks! I mean lasers!! how could I not get it?