Fashion

care of 1963

We almost saw The Help last night. And this is what I wore. I say almost because in reality, I ate a bowl and a half of this before curling up on the couch and calling it a night.

We’re going to try again tonight. I think it might actually happen this time!

This outfit is a labor of love. I found the dress at a small vintage store in town and instantly fell in love with it, despite the fact that my arms couldn’t fit through the armholes, the collar was choking me and the insanely tiny waist was threatening my air consumption. Yet, I knew this little dress had potential. So I bought it, took it to get altered and lo and behold! My alterations lady took out the waist (women must have had seriously tiny waists in the 50’s!), made the arm holes bigger and moved a button over on the collar.

Why did I go through all that trouble for a single old dress with fifty year old coffee stains?

It has pears on it. Plain and simple. Food on dresses = love.

Dress: Vintage

Shoes: Modcloth

Bracelet: Forever 21

Watch: Brighton

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  • El
    August 20, 2011 at 8:06 am

    Beautiful. It looks sensational on you!

    • Sally Anne @ PaleoRunnerGirl
      August 21, 2011 at 6:13 pm

      Seriously! That is the cutest dress EVER! I am SO jealous! I am ready to move to California. You have some seriously amazing vintage thrift stores!

  • Chelsa
    August 20, 2011 at 8:09 am

    It looks great on you! I love that you’ve been doing more style on the blog 🙂

  • Jayne @ Married to a Meat-eating Military Man
    August 20, 2011 at 8:10 am

    Awesome dress! And you wear it very well! 🙂 I think a lot about how women must not have been able to breathe back then, haha. But, their clothes were actually fitted to their bodies, so they look so good! I have been on a Mad Men kick and loving the outfits on there. 🙂

  • Suzanne
    August 20, 2011 at 8:11 am

    LOVE that dress and the shoes. Great look for you. And definitely worth getting altered.

  • Tracey
    August 20, 2011 at 8:13 am

    Jenna, it is absolutely beautiful! And what a stunner you are. 🙂

  • Gina DeChambeau
    August 20, 2011 at 8:13 am

    Absolutely BEAUTIFUL! You will LOVE the movie!!!!!

  • Angela (Oh She Glows)
    August 20, 2011 at 8:13 am

    You wear the retro look so well. Beautiful dress and the shoes go with it perfectly.

  • Rachel @ Not Rachael Ray
    August 20, 2011 at 8:15 am

    Love it! So adorable! I’m loving the fashion posts–makes me want to put a little more effort into things 🙂

  • Lisa
    August 20, 2011 at 8:15 am

    Oo I love love love this dress!!!!

  • dragonfly180
    August 20, 2011 at 8:16 am

    love the dress! i was just looking at similar type dresses on modcloth.com last night. i love the 50s style. so classic! and you’ll love the help. it was so good!

  • Estela @ Weekly Bite
    August 20, 2011 at 8:16 am

    Very cute dress! I love all things vintage 🙂

  • Kath
    August 20, 2011 at 8:21 am

    LOVE this. LOVE!!!

  • Gwen
    August 20, 2011 at 8:23 am

    You look fantastic in that dress, I love it! Very good call getting it altered 🙂 You have now inspired me to start vintage shopping again.

  • Lauren
    August 20, 2011 at 8:23 am

    Omg! I’m in love with that dress! Great find!

  • AdrienneCarolyn
    August 20, 2011 at 8:24 am

    Oh that dress is amazing! What a great find! How come I can never find such cuteness?? Must. Look. Harder.

  • Ashton
    August 20, 2011 at 8:33 am

    I adore this dress! I’m sure it was worth all the alterations!

    -slightly jealous

  • Heather M
    August 20, 2011 at 8:36 am

    It’s adorable! I am so jealous, I love dresses but most don’t fit or look good on me since I am so short.

  • Penny
    August 20, 2011 at 8:37 am

    I really love your fashion posts.
    I have 2 kids, so I live in t-shirts and running shorts. Occasionally I may put on a dress when it’s hot out and all my athletic shorts are dirty. 🙂

  • Hilliary@HappilyEverHealthy
    August 20, 2011 at 8:38 am

    Love the dress! Adorable!!

  • Sarah
    August 20, 2011 at 8:42 am

    Cute dress- it would be the perfect outfit to watch The Help in… Or go out to dinner, host a cocktail party, etc. 🙂

  • Lauren @ What Lauren Likes
    August 20, 2011 at 8:42 am

    I LOVE this dress! you look adorable 🙂

  • Lindsey @Chick Flick Chic
    August 20, 2011 at 8:43 am

    adorable! you look like you belong in jackson in 1963! will you do a post on vintage/thrift store shopping tips?

  • Kelsey @ aslolife
    August 20, 2011 at 8:51 am

    That is so cute! Who doesn’t love a good pear print? I wish I had that kind of success in thrift store shopping.

  • shelley
    August 20, 2011 at 8:54 am

    That dress is adorable. I love great finds from resale stores… they’re just so unique! Fashion used to be a lot more fun and bold, so much fun color. You look great!

  • Julie
    August 20, 2011 at 8:58 am

    I love this look!
    Also, I don’t know the etiquette on Goodreads so I added you as a friend… even though you don’t know me… Or am I supposed to just “follow your reviews”? Basically, just don’t be alarmed and feel free to deny me and then I’ll know to just follow your reviews instead 🙂

  • Amanda @FancyOatmeal
    August 20, 2011 at 9:00 am

    It’s adorable!!! I love it. You look classic and comfortable in it. Love it!

  • Girl in the pink
    August 20, 2011 at 9:17 am

    Lovely!! Perfect outfit to see the help!

  • Lisa | Life in Green
    August 20, 2011 at 9:21 am

    I’d say your labor was worth it….dress looks so cute! Love the pears.

  • amanda
    August 20, 2011 at 9:24 am

    you need to do your hair in the 60’s style too!!!! woooo!!!!

  • Alejandra @ Mouthfuls and Morsels
    August 20, 2011 at 9:27 am

    I too love food printed fabric. Major food geek 😉

  • Molly @ RDexposed
    August 20, 2011 at 9:58 am

    Love the vintage look!! I feel as a dietitian I couldn’t get away with wearing fruit.

  • French Heart
    August 20, 2011 at 10:00 am

    Fabulous!! My fave classic cut. I had dresses in that shape in (all solids) black, white, pink, aqua…..in different fabrics. Looks terrific on you! Jackie Kennedy popularized the look in the 60s with variations on the theme: http://tinyurl.com/424bayt The clean lines look feminine & sporty. She was one of the top horsewomen in the US from age 4 and liked to show off her great arms & fit physique.

  • Stacy
    August 20, 2011 at 10:09 am

    LOVE the dress!! Totally worth your efforts!

  • French Heart
    August 20, 2011 at 10:11 am

    PS love the piped edges around armholes & neck. Details like that drive me crazy then MUST buy!!

    Would look cute too with charm bracelet for total vintage. Love the shoe choice!! I sooo enjoy playing ‘Talk about Jenna’s clothes choice!!’ 😉 You chose such fun things!

  • katie @KatieDid
    August 20, 2011 at 10:22 am

    I seriously love that! The whole vibe of the photo is great, especially in the neighborhood setting… gives it a real housewife suburbia feel haha! you look great in it!

  • Melody
    August 20, 2011 at 10:23 am

    In that outfit, you look like you’re straight out of the Help! In a fantastic way. 😀

  • Karla
    August 20, 2011 at 10:24 am

    The arm holes in vintage dresses are often sooooo tiny! It confuses me! Could my arms (or armpits really) be that much bigger that someone 50 years ago??

  • Baking Serendipity
    August 20, 2011 at 10:27 am

    Adorable 🙂 You’re inspiring me to go shopping! Thanks? 🙂

  • Maria
    August 20, 2011 at 10:27 am

    That dress is so ridiculously cute!!

  • Denise
    August 20, 2011 at 10:36 am

    Love it:)

  • Louise
    August 20, 2011 at 10:36 am

    Hi, just had to say that although I am a big fan of ALL of your blog, your fashion posts are the highlight for me. You have an amazing eye for vintage/thrift store finds, what’s your secret??

  • Sandi
    August 20, 2011 at 10:38 am

    The style fits you!

  • Baking N Books
    August 20, 2011 at 10:41 am

    This is my favorite one yet. Simply because it is simple and you seem like someone I could approach more versus being intimidated by you!

    …and pears help 😉

  • Mel
    August 20, 2011 at 10:44 am

    Such a cute dress! I’ve been obsessed with this television show “The Waltons” lately and found this dress at the Goodwill that screamed “The Waltons” to me! Very vintage and 1930s looking. What’s the tatoo on your foot of? I remember reading about the one you got on your wrist, but I didn’t know you have another! Have a good day!

  • stephanie
    August 20, 2011 at 11:11 am

    LOVE the dress! it’s so adorable and flattering. Props to you for sticking with it and making it work for you, I would have just left, sad that it didn’t fit.

  • Mallory
    August 20, 2011 at 11:16 am

    I love reading your blog! However, my clothes/shoe budget has increased a bit since I have started 🙂 Thanks for the great recipes and fashion tips!

  • Christena
    August 20, 2011 at 11:28 am

    Cutest outfit yet. Love the dress and it suits you so well.

  • Katie @ Plates and Paste
    August 20, 2011 at 11:32 am

    Adorable dress! You pull off the retro look SO well!

  • Amy @ ahealthyandhappyheart
    August 20, 2011 at 11:38 am

    You look stunning in the dress! (and the shoes are super cute) great find 🙂

  • Moni'sMeals
    August 20, 2011 at 11:40 am

    Look at you! Lovely… one word… Lovely!

  • Mauimandy@The Grains of Paradise
    August 20, 2011 at 11:56 am

    Great Dress! What a find! Love the shoes from Modcloth too. They always have such cute stuff!

  • amy walters, aDESIGNdock
    August 20, 2011 at 12:07 pm

    Love this dress!! You look fabulous 🙂 Can’t wait to hear your verdict on The Help.

  • Amanda
    August 20, 2011 at 12:13 pm

    So cute Jenna! I love that you made the dress your own! I’m going to see The Help tonight too, although I foresee jeans and a hoodie being my outfit of choice. 😉

  • Aja
    August 20, 2011 at 12:14 pm

    I love, love, love the dress! You look amazing in it. I was born in the wrong time…
    The Help is a great movie. I hope you get to see it.

  • Urban Wife
    August 20, 2011 at 12:22 pm

    What an awesome dress! Reminds me of something from the show Mad Men. Seems like thrifting in Cali is a lot better than thrifting in Florida! You seem to have some serious luck with great finds.
    Enjoy your weekend! 🙂

  • Andrea
    August 20, 2011 at 12:57 pm

    What an amazing dress. Love it.

  • Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
    August 20, 2011 at 1:14 pm

    Isn’t it interesting how tight the neck and arm holes are in vintage dresses. It’s like seriously choke-off worthy. haha!

    The dress looks awesome on you and I think it’s great that with a few alterations you have re-purposed a dress and you put new life into it.

    Have fun tonight!! 🙂

  • sherri
    August 20, 2011 at 1:18 pm

    you wear the dress well, jenna! somewhere in my mom’s attic is a pear print (yellow, orange & green) top from the 60’s. i just adore the jackie o look.

  • Emily @ Life on Food
    August 20, 2011 at 1:33 pm

    Love the dress! You must check out the Crate and Barrel website. They have mugs that match your dress to a T. They are so cute!

  • Caroline @ The G-Spot
    August 20, 2011 at 2:14 pm

    YOU. LOOK. GORGEOUS. I loooove this dress!

  • Sana
    August 20, 2011 at 2:15 pm

    That dress is so you!! Now you need a dress with cats on it! How is dexter??

  • Kamaile
    August 20, 2011 at 2:21 pm

    Now all you need is a cigarette and you do look like you’re from the movie! The movie is SO good, Bring klennex!!

  • Sarah Elizabeth
    August 20, 2011 at 2:43 pm

    What a great find! Love the shoes too.

  • Sharon
    August 20, 2011 at 3:13 pm

    That is a FAB dress. Love the pear print. The colors totally suit you. I need info on your tailor, if you don’t mind sharing…I have an Anthropologie dress that I need altered down from a size S to an XS….

  • Kelly
    August 20, 2011 at 3:28 pm

    CUTEST DRESS EVER!!!

    You are finding some amazing things. Just too cute.

  • Maureen
    August 20, 2011 at 3:35 pm

    I love this dress! It is super cute. The pears are amazing and I love the sillouette of it! I like the style element you added to your blog.

  • Linda
    August 20, 2011 at 4:08 pm

    Hi Jenna,
    I’ve debated getting dresses altered, but it costs so much! How much ballpark does it cost to get dresses altered, $25-30?

    thx,
    linda

  • Jackie @ That Deep Breath
    August 20, 2011 at 4:27 pm

    Love the shoes. Way too cute!

  • Tessa @ Amazing Asset
    August 20, 2011 at 4:32 pm

    I love those shoes Jenna!!

  • Laramie
    August 20, 2011 at 4:49 pm

    Those are your colors! The dress looks great on you!

  • Julie
    August 20, 2011 at 5:09 pm

    Now that’s dress! Looks fab!!!!!

  • Ellie
    August 20, 2011 at 5:36 pm

    This is by far my favorite outfit you have posted. That dress is to die for. Does it still have the label, and if so what label is it? I’m really curious.

  • Sarah @ Sarah's Modern Bites
    August 20, 2011 at 7:09 pm

    Great find Jenna! It fits you perfectly! You have a great eye 😀

  • kaila @ healthy helper!
    August 20, 2011 at 7:14 pm

    Food Clothing!!! YAY! Love the dress…..and those shoes!!! Gorgeous!!!

  • Michelle
    August 20, 2011 at 8:48 pm

    that dress is AMAZING! jealous of all your lovely thrift finds!

    Michelle
    http://www.pinqueblog.com

  • Andie B @5kmRunner
    August 20, 2011 at 8:48 pm

    I ADORE that dress! Such pretty and unexpected fabric. Fabulous look from head to toe. Love it!

  • Wendi Hansen
    August 20, 2011 at 9:07 pm

    B-E-A-utiful hun! You have such a unique sense of style and I absotively-positutely love it! There is something so neat about these kinds of clothes; they almost tell a story and share a history. Very cool 🙂

    BTW’s…The Help was amazeballs! I wasn’t sure how it would measure up to the book (films are never as good as their written counterparts) but this actually stuck really close. I hope you have fun girl! Let me know what ya think 🙂

  • Kate
    August 20, 2011 at 9:16 pm

    You look lovely.

  • Debbie @ All Kinds of Healthy
    August 21, 2011 at 5:28 am

    Wow! That dress looks amazing. I’m a first time visitor so I had to scroll down to find out if that was you or a shot from the movie! Nice find 🙂 Makes me want to stroll through the vintage stores!

  • Molly
    August 21, 2011 at 7:26 am

    that dress is so cute!!

  • Krystina (Organically Me)
    August 21, 2011 at 7:42 am

    Haha, I love that you justify the dress by its pears. That outfit is awesome.

  • Nicole @ Giraffelegs
    August 21, 2011 at 8:05 am

    cute! bravo for taking the dress in for alterations…I never think of doing that. I just get all sad and put it back on the rack. Thanks for reminding me alterations exist!

  • Mai
    August 21, 2011 at 9:40 am

    That dress is adorable!

  • Lynn
    August 21, 2011 at 10:12 am

    LOVE that dress! & the shoes, too!

  • Katie @ peacebeme
    August 21, 2011 at 10:52 am

    LOVE THE SHOES!

    Interested to see what you think of the movie. I saw it Friday night and thought it was TERRIBLE!

  • kristina@beancakes ?
    August 21, 2011 at 1:11 pm

    jenna ~ you look gorgeous in this fabulous vintage find!! so cute ~ love the pears!
    xo ~ kristina

  • Katrina
    August 21, 2011 at 1:37 pm

    So cute!

  • Jessica @ Jess Go Bananas
    August 21, 2011 at 3:04 pm

    You look fabulous!

  • Emily @ Write Twenty Eleven
    August 21, 2011 at 3:25 pm

    Gorgeous! I’m a bit obsessed with 1960s fashion lately from watching “The Help” and “Mad Men.” Love this dress and shoes!

  • Kelly
    August 21, 2011 at 3:44 pm

    You look fabulous in that dress!

  • Aleyta
    August 21, 2011 at 3:48 pm

    We just saw it today and it blew my mind. It’s rare to find a movie that is just as good as the book.

  • Meghan @ StruggleMuffins
    August 21, 2011 at 4:42 pm

    So cute! Looks perfect with the shoes and I so agree about fruit patterns on clothing – automatic win 🙂

  • Jessica
    August 21, 2011 at 6:14 pm

    Cute dress! You guys will love The Help.

  • Jamie@everydaydolce
    August 21, 2011 at 7:21 pm

    Wow, what a fantastic thrift store find!! It really does look good on you and I love the pears, too. 🙂

  • AshleyH
    August 21, 2011 at 9:42 pm

    That dress is so cute. You definitely need a string of pearls though. 🙂

  • Sarah@The Flying ONION
    August 22, 2011 at 4:31 am

    So, so cute!

    And it’s not everybody that could pull this look off, but you totally do. It looks *awesome* on you.

    Oh, and you are not alone. If an item of clothes or a bag or a purse has food on it? I buy it. Plain and simple. 😀

  • Alicia
    August 22, 2011 at 4:49 am

    Love it! It totally has a Mad Men vibe!

  • jenna
    August 22, 2011 at 5:38 am

    favorite outfit thus far!!! the whole thing is amazing!

  • Kandyce
    August 22, 2011 at 7:42 am

    I love dresses like this!! I seriously could wear dresses everyday of the week because it’s so much easier than putting together ensembles.

  • Stephanie Reusch
    August 22, 2011 at 8:50 am

    Jenna! You are so cute! I love how you are taking vintage clothes and spicing them up. You’ve inspired me to get thrifty!

  • Rachel Goode
    August 22, 2011 at 9:01 am

    Google images of 1950’s dresses — they usually hit mid-calf. Based on the length of your dress, this leads me to believe that your dress was maybe made for a 12 year old — thus the tiny waist/arm holes, etc! Anyway, I love the print and fit — and the length you’re wearing it is more flattering than mid-calf! Great find! You look beautiful!

  • Emily
    August 22, 2011 at 12:31 pm

    Gosh, YOUR waist is tiny, so I can only imagine what the original owner looked like! Really, it’s such a cute dress and I love the idea of wearing it to The Help!

  • Kelly
    August 22, 2011 at 3:01 pm

    Perfect for you. 🙂

  • Charise
    August 23, 2011 at 6:56 am

    Loving all your 1960s-inspired outfits lately, Jenna!

  • Bright Smile
    August 25, 2011 at 8:05 pm

    Oh my GOODNESS this is an adorable dress! And the shoes are perfection. Are they comfortable?