For truly ages, I have wanted a dress like the ones Elizabeth wears on Keeping Up Appearances. But not exactly like those, because they wouldn’t look right on me. Too bulky, too costumey. Or maybe because vintage Laura Ashley on Etsy is like $200 a dress, which is too much for a dress that might well turn out (sorry, Etsy Hyacinth dress) totally unwearable.
It had been a lovely morning already—a well-attended library baby time run by someone low-key, followed by a frappe and spanakopita at a nearby Greek café. But I’d noticed Siberia Vintage, a store I’d been curious about, was across the street, in an area not particularly known for that sort of shopping.
I went in and there they all were! All the dresses of this kind. Sorted by length and color. So many. Possibly… too many, at least given the constraints of not-yet-napping baby in stroller. But the store was not just enterable but navigable with the stroller, so I found a bunch of contenders. I tried these on with the dressing room door more-than-ajar, what with needing to supervise an infant who was in a conveyance that did not fit in a fitting room. (Memories of bringing my then-infant older daughter to a similar store, but in the carrier, and trying something on with her on the dressing room floor.)
At first, despite the abundance, and the fun of the outing itself, my hopes of actually finding something were low. I like the idea of used clothes but the reality often disappoints. Maybe I have a very present-day physique and don’t look right even in vintage clothes that I can technically fit into. Or maybe it’s that the problem with my existing clothing is generally that it’s gotten worn out, so pre-worn doesn’t necessarily improve matters. There’s also the thing where used clothes all converge around a rockabilly look that is very not for me. And where sizing is unknowable without trying things on.
Indeed, the first I tried on was one of those garments where by the time it’s clear it’s too small, you realize it will be a struggle to carefully extract yourself from it so as not to damage it. (I did squeeze my way out of it, dress unscathed.)
The second was just… it. Ticked every possible box. Perfect print and colors. Dimensions seemingly pre-tailored to someone my exact size and, crucially, height—I cannot pull off puffy sleeves paired with a maxidress length. And, true miracle, a lightweight cotton (unlabeled but so it would seem) material. Simple, unlined, no shoulder pads, the only detail the shoulder area of the sleeves. No pockets but this is not a dress that should have those. Comfortable and sun-protective. The essence of a Neighbor Elizabeth dress, but in a form that I will actually wear. (And have already worn, despite it being too cold for it in Toronto, and despite it looking odd with layers under and over it.) The length prevents it looking too sister-wife. It is perfect. It is a matter of time, given my lifestyle, until it acquires some imperfections, but, within reason, it will be flawless all the same.
Present day physique wears it well.