It’s funny how life imitates fairytales sometimes. As we’re winding down the semester, I can’t help but feel as if I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole. That I’m constantly running late (for a very important date) or ending up at tea parties (serving adult drinks) where everyone, myself included, seems a bit mad. That no day is complete without a bit of an identity crisis, with an endless croquet match I can never seem to win. Needless to say, with the end in sight and these final few weeks upon us, I’m feeling like a headless Cheshire Cat more than anything. Yep, I am clearly Alice in Vintageland…
So, it’s only fitting that my wardrobe matches the occasion. If you’re me, you combat stress with the prettiest dresses you can pull from your wardrobe. You slip on that extra confidence in the morning, allowing you to gulp still more coffee, head into yet another thesis defense, and meet with what feels like every student on campus who is suddenly panicking about their neuroscience grade. Enter this most amazing Orange Floral Border Print “Alice” Dress from Ebone and Ivory.
Ebone and Ivory is an Etsy shop specializing in handmade vintage-inspired dresses in some seriously swoon worthy prints. I continue to grow weary with “the one size fits all” mentality, and find myself drawn to shops like Ebone and Ivory more and more – which allow for customized, high quality pieces that won’t break the bank. And if there’s one thing I love, it’s discovering amazing small businesses and learning that their owners are as every bit as fabulous as their products…
I was really excited to work with Ebone on this post – I learned from our many conversations that she started making and selling dresses to accommodate anyone that has a hard time finding clothing that fits their proportions in a true vintage shop or a ready-to-wear reproduction shop. As someone whose long torso has kept her from many a garment, this is music to my ears…
The Alice dress is made of a very high quality 100% cotton in a beautiful orange border print floral on a grey background. She comes complete with super deep pockets (!) and a fuller than full gathered skirt. Although I don’t have many dresses with this feature, I also loved the zipper-front closure. Rather than wrestling with a side zip (my nemesis) or contorting myself to get a back zip all the way up, the front zip might be my new best friend…
I opted for the size S in this dress (for reference, I’m 35-36″ bust and 27-28″ waist), with 26″ from waist to hem and some special customization for my vertically gifted self. Ebone was so accommodating when it came to my long torso – typically the bodice on a size S is about 15.5″ from nape to waist. As I’m 17.25″ nape to waist, I was definitely going to need a bit of extra length.
After sending over a few key measurements, my beautiful dress arrived. I zipped her up and it was instant love. She’s fully lined in a light cotton voile and hugs my bodice perfectly – the waist hit exactly at my narrowest part (hallelujah for custom measurements!) and the deep v-neckline was a little saucy, but still modest enough for work. The full skirt took 2 crinolines and I skipped out the door, knowing my stressful day was no match for the happiness I felt while wearing this dress.
The Alice dress retails for $125 and can be purchased from the Ebone and Ivory Etsy shop. Truthfully, I think the quality is AMAZING for the price. It’s perfectly made (as one who sews, my eye will always dart to flaws, and I could fine none) and the quality of the fabric is excellent. It feels cool and breathable for this NC heat that’s creeping up on us, but I can tell it’s substantial enough to wear with a tights and a cardigan this autumn.
Ebone ships all over the world via USPS and her turnaround time is about 2-3 weeks. Mine shipped 2.5 weeks after I placed my order and was on my doorstep shortly thereafter. If this particular print doesn’t strike your fancy, this shop offers a wide range of silhouettes and prints, as well as custom sizing. Ebone is just about the loveliest seller you will ever meet, so if you see something and have questions or want to make minor adjustments, I highly recommend reaching out to see if she can accommodate your request.
To help you bring one of these dresses into your closet, Ebone and Ivory is offering a coupon code exclusive to my readers (let the dancing commence!). Use the code KARA15 for 15% off any order (no minimum) from now until 4/30. I’ve already got my eye on more than a few pieces, including the Kelly and the Mindy. Now the tricky part is picking a print! Although, given my love of border print, you won’t be surprised to find this one caught my eye.
I hope everyone is bursting forth into Spring with a closet full of florals and a spirit full of possibilities for the days ahead. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to go see a Mad Hatter about a tea party…
xoxo
Outfit Details:
Dress: Orange floral Alice dress by Ebone & Ivory
Necklace: Magnolia (similar)
Belt: Altar’d State
Handbag: Kate Spade, in mint
Shoes: WHBM, sold out (similar here & here)
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Any items marked with a “c/o” (courtesy of) a retailer mean I was provided with an item for free in exchange for a review on my blog. I always provide my honest opinion of any item I’m reviewing, regardless of whether it was sent to me as a courtesy item or if I purchased it myself. This post may contain affiliate links. This means that if you click and/or make a purchase through certain links or ads on this site, I may make a commission from that click and/or purchase at no cost to you, which helps with the day-to-day running costs of my blog.