Peony Hued
As sad as I am to see the end of lilac season, we are now entering peony season, and that is a reason to celebrate! If I had to choose a favourite flower (and really who could do that?), I would choose a peony. Peonies come in so many hues, ranging from dark fuchsias, to soft blush pinks, to creamy whites. They come in single and double petal varieties, and can have spiky or rounded petals. My favourites are the double flowering blush pink varieties, with their massive, deeply layered petals and heavenly scent.
This ensemble I wore last Sunday reminded me of peonies; because the hat is accented with one, and because the colours were in the same shades as the flowers.
I was so glad that we had a sunny day in the middle of the rain we’ve had lately, because as I mentioned in my last post, I wanted to wear my new hat- but the hat stiffener is water soluble! The day dawned beautifully though- and I was glad to be able to wear it out for the first time.
When I was planning what to pair with my hat, I looked in my closet only to discover that I had nothing to go with it. 🙁 Then, I remembered this dress. This is the first time I have worn this dress, and it is a special one, because it was my Great-Grandmother’s dress. She wore it in the 1950’s to her son’s wedding. This past January my Aunt and Uncle were clearing out their basement, and they found it hanging in one of the closets. They asked whether I wanted it, thinking that it was probably my Grandma’s dress, but when I talked with her she said it was actually her mother’s dress. There are not many vintage garments in our family that have survived through the years, so it is special to have one of the few pieces that is still in wearable condition. (We also have my Grandma’s wedding dress, but it is in very tattered shape. Maybe one day I’ll put pictures of it on here?)
The dress has suffered a little bit of damage, and was quite musty after being stored in a basement for so many years, but the good thing is that it is polyester taffeta, rather than a more fragile material like silk, and so the stains came out, and the smell is (mostly) gone after a good airing out. (You can still slightly smell the mustiness if you stick your nose right into the cloth, but usually people don’t do that to a dress someone is wearing. Although you never know. . . )
I am so glad that I got this dress though, and can give it a second life after so many years. It was lovely to wear a vintage garment that I know the history of, rather than wondering, “Who wore this?”. Sometimes I wonder at the stories vintage garments could tell. . .
Do you ever wonder at the history behind your vintage pieces? Do you have any vintage pieces handed down from your family?
June 3, 2016 @ 9:08 pm
Wow! Truly beautiful. That colour of pink on you is absolutely stunning. Pretty lady.
June 5, 2016 @ 1:04 pm
Thanks sweet 🙂
June 6, 2016 @ 12:37 pm
Stunningly beautiful ensemble. That dress looks like it was custom made for you, sweet dear. What a gloriously gorgeous way to embrace the return of peony season – and to celebrate the importance of handed down vintage garments at the same time.
Many hugs,
♥ Jessica
June 6, 2016 @ 10:29 pm
Thanks Jessica- your comments never fail to make the day just that much better 🙂
June 8, 2016 @ 10:24 am
Fantastic dress and so lovely that it has family history attached to it! 🙂 You seem to have a great closet full of beautiful vintage pieces! 😉 I have my mom’s thing from the 70s and few grandma´s things from 50s onwards, but unfortunaly so much has been lost…
June 8, 2016 @ 11:41 pm
That’s too bad that so many vintage pieces have been lost over the years. I don’t have very many pieces from my family either- my ancestors were just too efficient at clearing out their closets I guess 🙁 I guess we’ll have to be the generation that saves things right?