How does this Diane Fres dress do up??

[Katie]

Happy New Year to all u guys!
Yes I know its February already but this is my first post for 2010, time flies!!
This is a Diane Fres dress and the styling is very different to the usual blousy ones with sleeves so I'm a tad confused as to how it's meant to be worn.
Ive attached the dress to the mannequin with the two shoestring straps that appear to sprout from the centre of the front and back bodice and tied them on the shoulders. The cut of the top of the bodice goes straight across, no shaping and in that position the 'hanging straps' are on each side. It has a separate scarf that is tied at the waist in one pic.
I feel like I'm trying to put a jigsaw together but should it really be this difficult, it just appears odd so some confirmation of whether or not Im on the right path would sure be appreciated
Thanks all
Katie

 

[Katie]

Back pic

 

[Katie]

Laying flat

 

[joules]

I would think that this has been one of those "reconstruction" Dianes. There is a lot of this turning them into tube shapes that goes on. The prints are really great. Poly or silk?

 

[Katie]

Hmmm

Hi Joules,
Thanks for the input!
Hmm, it looks original to me. The only strappy Diane Fres dresses that come up on the web are the reconstructed ones but there is no evidence to me that this is not original. All the stitching and seam edges are the same on the bodice as the rest of it. The reconstructed ones all seem to have elastic across the top of the bodice and this doesnt, it sorta just drapes nicely from the straps.
Its a polyester georgette. It is very pretty, especially with the triangular scarf New and never worn the tassles are still in their baggies!
Katie

 

[joules]

Well, that's a relief! I had noticed the little plastic enclosures for the tassels, and that had made me think possibly new/original. Okay, I am mystified as well. I would have tied those at the shoulders just as you did.

 

[joules]

Still thinking that something in the way of sleeves had to have been removed. Do you see any evidence of removal, tiny pinholes? It's just odd.

 

[Katie]

Mystified but not ancient, lol

Hi Joules,
It is odd I agree! No pin holes nothing! There is usually something to signify some playing around post original construction but I cant find a thing. The label is sewn in the side of the bodice, no sign of dodginess, the hanging ribbons are perfectly attached, the thread colour and the overlocking stitching all matches from top section to bottom as well. The seams in the top frills all match the other seams.
As the song says, mystified! But not ancient
Katie

 

[lkranieri]

Originally posted by Katie
The label is sewn in the side of the bodice

Hmmmmm...if you turn the dress so that the label is in the back--which should then put the ties at or near the sides I assume--can both sets of ties then tie together behind the neck?

 

[Katie]

Hi lkranieri,
Nope cos the tie are then right at the sides and the front falls down :(
Kate

 

[themerchantsofvintage]

Not sure if it's possible but you could try to tie the ties close to top ruffle at the front, not at the shoulders and in a knot rather than a bow. Two of the straps would then end up longer and dangle and maybe those could be tied in a bow. It's a beautiful dress and I love the colours but the bows at the shoulders just don't seem right.

 

[TangerineBoutique]

This IS a mystery but even if it's not the intended styling, it looks really pretty the way you have it on the form.

Melody

 

[Katie]

Thanks

Well thanks to all for the input! The dress remains a mystery as to it's originality and maybe I might tie the bows a little smaller to lessen the BOW factor. lol
Katie