Some fabrics are just destined to be pleated. It’s almost as if the print is one thing on its own, but she takes off her glasses and shakes out her pony tail, and becomes something entirely new once she’s pleated. I’ve decided to look at 2024 the same way. You might think it’s yet another year, but just fold and crease and press a bit, and it could turn into something unexpected.
Many moons ago, I spotted the most perfect vintage dress on a gal I follow on Instagram – Darlene of High Heel Paws – done in a blue check, where the pleating at the waist created some sort of magic. As is the case with most vintage, I knew if I just bided my time, it would one day cross my path. And thanks to Wear it Again Sam Vintage, I am happy to say her pink cousin is finally taking up residence in my wardrobe.
If you haven’t noticed, things have been pretty quiet around here the past year. Are blogs even a thing anymore?? I feel this space has gone the way of many before her – where other things simply take precedence. And (case in point), while I don’t think this means that I’ll never post or that I’m giving up on TDA entirely – you can’t keep the girl out of the vintage and I know the sewing posts are a resource for many – it’s been feeling right for awhile to take a step back.
Last year was a really hard year. I had to say goodbye to someone I dearly loved, stress and anxiety seemed to creep in from every task at work, and the weight of a world on fire is impossible to ignore and presses down on me daily. I am generally Glass Half Full gal, but even I was struggling to find the positive or see the way forward.
And even though I know New Years is completely arbitrary and nothing really has changed, I am hoping to take a deep cleansing breath and consider this year a clean slate. Consider 2024 a length of beautiful yardage, just waiting to be cut and sewn and pleated into something truly special.
I tried to take the holiday break as a time of serious recovery. We spent Christmas in Palm Springs with Mr. Dressedapp’s family (10/10 highly recommend Destination Christmas), had a fairly quiet New Year’s Eve with a bit of bourbon and some good friends, and I made a concerted effort to spend some serious time in my sewing room. Rather than cranking out a pile of new pieces, I really focused on my tailoring and repair piles. Pieces that just needed a bit of time to be made whole again.
This week the Spring semester is starting up again. Honestly, I can’t even. I truly don’t feel ready to jump back into the fray. To be met with the relentless flurry of meetings and lectures and student demands. But, I’ve never been really good at slowing down time. So, ready or not, here it comes. I suppose, as much as I’ve learned about people and their actions over the years, the only thing I have control over is how I choose to react to it.
So 2024, ready or not, get ready to be pleated.
xoxo
Outfit Details:
Dress: Wear it Again Sam Vintage (similar modern or vintage here, here, and here)
Necklace: Juju’s Vintage (similar here)
Belt: from another dress (similar)
Handbag: Kate Spade (same here)
Shoes: Love Shack Fancy, 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 and/or feature 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. In addition, 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.