Style File: vintage 70s sweater dress | Thriftanista in the City

2.08.2013

Style File: vintage 70s sweater dress

I don't understand sweaters with short sleeves. However, I did find something appealing about this vintage 70s dress that originated in Paris. It's in perfect condition and washable. It's made of DuPont patented, acrylic fiber, Orlon. It's at least 30 years old! Talk about made to last.

I thrifted it a while ago. I'm curious about how it ended up in a thrift store on the south side of Chicago. Maybe I should consult the vintage store psychic and find its history. 

thrifted vintage 70s dress

The last time I wore it was on Christmas Eve with family and friends. I didn't leave the house. If I'm wearing a knit then it's probably cold outside. I need to have more arm coverage. 

I decided to give it another try and made my own sleeves by adding a blouse underneath. A blouse that also isn't getting much love. I wore it a year ago for a Valentine's Day inspired outfit.

thrifted vintage 70s dress


What to do with these seemingly unwearable pieces? Join them together and add a skirt for a three way happy union. Grrr baby, grrr! My "unwearables" are mingling and swinging. *wink wink, nudge nudge*

Thrifted Vintage 70s dress

It must be all the Valentine's Day hype love in the air bringing out the sex kitten Austin Powers innuendo. 

Meow. 

Ok, I'm done. I can't wait to read the Google searches I show up in.

Vintage Sweater Dress

The skirt was sewn pre-Violet. It doesn't get out much either! A coworker many moons ago gave me a bag of fabric and some of the fabrics weren't really my style. This is one of them but it's good quality so I made a velvet skirt. 

Thrifted Sweater Dress

I am truly surprised that it still fits considering the post baby changes to my waistline. I was so excited about it that I didn't want to take it off. 

I was planning to chuck the dress and work with the skirt but they looked quite nice together so I kept it all on. I'm digging the look plus I have extra warmth and padding for the Chi-town breeze hawk.

Thrifted 70s Sweater Dress

Useless fact #1: The sweater dress was bought during the same thrift haul as the caftan in Wednesday's post.

Useless fact #2: My tights were bought in Amsterdam back in the day when I had a job. They cost more than the blouse, the dress, and the caftan put together. Maybe even the shoes!

Fact: Falke tights are worth it.

Thrifted Vintage 70s dress
vintage dress // Isabel Paris / thrifted
blouse // Ciao Sport for Neiman Marcus / thrifted
skirt // handmade / free fabric
wool tights // Falke
pumps // Payless

In other news

***I'm giving away a marvelous handmade pouch of goodies! Have you entered?***

13 comments

Tia Lou said...

Love the skirt!

Laila @OnlyLaila said...

LOL @ google searches. Now that you say, I don't get short sleeved sweaters either. I'm trying to think of a time I've thought they looked cute...perhaps with a long full skirt? Anyhoo, I like this look on you.

Silhouette de Femme said...

Love the pop of colour the sleeves add!

Ashley Suzanne said...

Love it! Sure wish I could pull something like this off!

Parenting Patch said...

What a cute dress! You have given me some ideas to think about the next time that I go thrift storing!

Megan Nichols said...

How innovative of you! Please keep us updated on your google searches! haha

Ruth V. said...

Super cute! Love how you layered and the different textures and colors!

Jen @ Cuddles and Chaos said...

Super cute! And I totally agree with you on short sleeve sweaters. What's the point?! You made it work though!

Babblings of a Mommy said...

Cute! Love the pops of color.

-Jenny
http://www.babblingsofamommy.com/2013/02/6-collections-to-love-off-fall-2013.html

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Way to go fitting in that skirt mama! You look amazing in it!

Andrea @ Momma in Flip Flops2 said...

Great pairing together.. original and fabulous. Had to lol at your Google searches. :)

Lulu Soler said...

Really love this ensemble - very simple and beautiful! Perhaps we could follow each the other?

xo Lulu
simplylulustyle.com

Jill said...

Well you still have the tights so they were totally worth it! I could never wear a sweater dress but if I did, it would have to be short sleeves or I would sweat to death. I like the red and the blue together.

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