Like any good vintage-loving girl, I can’t help but romanticize the past. I fully acknowledge we have the luxury of looking back with rose colored glasses, and gazing at historical paintings or imagining the romance of the Renaissance and a life lived on horseback is very likely not all it’s cracked up to be (I mean, they didn’t even have indoor plumbing. Or wifi). But, in the crazy, fast paced world we live in, there is something so appealing about a simpler time.
This Bernie Dexter Amy dress in manor print was high on my list of Must Haves – a longtime fan of the over-corset, this dress seemed just as dreamy as an antique painting, with a border print giving a window into the past. But, my wallet didn’t match my lust, and by the time I had the funds she was gone. I cyber-stalked my favorite websites for weeks to no avail.
I then mustered up some gumption and emailed the Empress of Pinup Herself (!), and the gorgeous and approachable Bernie informed me it was coming back in stock (lesson learned: always ask). Lo and behold, a few weeks later, PUG brought this cutie of a dress out of my dreams and into my life! And, unlike Days of Yore that sound full of intrigue and days spent wandering the moors, but probably involve less romance and more servitude, this dress needed no rose colored glasses to see her perfection and was even better than I imagined she could be.
I went back and forth a bit, but in the end I opted for the medium in this dress, which was a good choice. Although Bernie dresses can sometimes run a bit tight in the bust on me, the fit on this one was perfect (I’m a 35-36″ bust, 27-28″ waist for reference). The ruched bust had a bit of flexibility, and the corset ties let me cinch the waist to my heart’s content. I’ve also seen this dress in a Texas print (in limited sizes) and if the print is your speed but the cut is not, there’s a blue color way on the Heather Belted Swing dress silhouette. Personally, I find the Heather to run small in the bust, so the Amy is definitely a friend to all of us well endowed.
Like most Bernie dresses, this one is made of 100% cotton, and this particular style has a bit of elastane in the bodice for stretch. I was a little concerned the top might go a bit milkmaid, but I actually felt fully covered and appropriate enough for work. She hit just at my knee (at 5’9), which was perfect for the Malco Modes petticoat that always seems to marry well with my Bernie dresses. And the print. The print. You guys know I’m a sucker for border prints, but this one literally took the vintage-inspired cake. My heart swooned every time I looked southward today. Intricate and super saturated in color, I felt like the Lady of the Manor in technicolor.
I‘m not surprised this dress has been selling out everywhere, but the Bernie Dexter Amy dress in Manor Print is still available from Pinup Girl Clothing and retails for $160.00 (though if you sign up for the PUG newsletter you an get 15% off your first order – and are first to hear of super sales!). I sincerely hope that Bernie keeps making this dress in multiple prints, cause I will want them all.
Considering I stalked this dress into oblivion for weeks, I’m even happier than usual that fate brought us together. Like the lovely vignettes that dot the border of this stunning dress, it seems the two of us were simply meant to be. And who doesn’t love a happy ending?
Have you bought this particular dress? I’d love to know your thoughts!
xoxo
Outfit Details:
Dress: Bernie Dexter via Pinup Girl Clothing
Necklace: Gift (similar)
Bracelet: Street fair (similar)
Bag: Bettina Darling (similar here & here)
Shoes: Seychelles (similar here & here)
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