Monday 1 October 2012

THAT SPECIAL DRESS



NOSTALGIA
 
The 'Dirndl' Dress
 Like everyone else, I want my Sashas to look like modern kids, wearing the sort of clothes that are comfortable and pretty; stylish, with a bit of designer chic for the girls, and street –cred for the boys! Well, and why not! That’s more or less what’s in the ever increasing number of Sasha clothes boxes. But then you remember that you are from Austria (originally) and that you used to wear ‘Dirndl’ dresses as a child. So this notion enters your head, that your Sashas need to reflect this, and you go on a hunt for a ‘Dirndl’ dress.  You are in luck: Ruth  http://www.ruthsdolls.eu/ has a very pretty ‘Bavarian’ outfit which is just the ticket. The fabrics and colours are just perfect (you wouldn’t expect anything else, really). You put it on your favourite Sasha and the job is done – you have recaptured a piece of your childhood!
 
Not quite, it seems! One Dirndl is never enough. You need at least a one more.  Something a little simpler, maybe.  A bit more ‘every day’. You look and look, but you don’t find! Stela (Aletsa) had just come on the scene and was going great guns with her sewing. She comes from Bulgaria. You assume she knows about a ‘Dirndl’ and you contact her. She would be happy to make you one, just as long as you can tell her what a ‘Dirndl’ dress actually is (she is too young to know!!!). You find a picture and you email it to her. She comes up trumps with these lovely outfits:
 
 
Here is a similar one in red
 
 
 
 
Jadzia has long been one of my favourite Sasha clothes designers. I like all her clothes, but some of her dresses have an unmistakable Middle European air about them. One or two of them would only need an apron to make them into a kind of Dirndl Dress (although they are perfect, just as they are)!
And here we have THE special dress designed by Jadzia. A gorgeous ‘Broderie Anglaise’ blouse, with a very full skirt and a corset made of black velvet. It is absolutely stunning. She used a red ribbon to lace up the corset, but I changed it to a simpler black cord, thereby bringing the focus back to the dress.  This is not a Dirndl dress, but the elements are all there: the white blouse, the tight bodice and the full skirt! Brilliant!
 
 
 

 

11 comments:

SimplySasha said...

The girls all look super in their frocks (I love that word!) but your blonde early 70's blonde looks fab, what a pretty girl she is!

Theodora said...

Yes, it is such an oldfashioned word! It implies so much more than the word 'dress'. I should have used it for my heading!!! xxx Karin

Kendal said...

What a delightful idea and trip down memory lane. All the girls look lovely in the various styles and prints of the Dirndl dress. The last one I guess is the most authentic but I do rather favour Ruthsdoll's modern version.
Like Ronnie I love your last earlier blonde Sasha with the 'plumper' cheeks and beautifully styled fringe.
Sasha love from Kendal.

Dee said...

Lovely outfits Karin and I especially like the last one and it's wearer. Shows what a variety of clothes are out there for us to purchase and some very talented makers.

Theodora said...

You are right about those clever and talented Sasha dress makers! My Sasha, Natasha, is a wide-faced Sasha. I bought her from Ted Menton. I love her, of course, but my heart belongs to the Sasha who wears the Ruthsdolls Dirndl - 'Yasmin'. There is something in her expression, which I haven't found in any other Sasha so far. xxx Karin

Theodora said...

That Ruthdolls Dirndl is delightful! She got the fabrics absolutely right. Stela had a good stab, though, at some Dirndls little girls are actually still wearing in Austria! The last one has a Polish or Russian look about the skirt. But it is just gorgeous, I think. and Natasha is showing the dress off rather well! Thanks for your lovely comments, as always. xxx karin

Serenata said...

They all look stunning in their dresses and what a lovely trip down memory lane for you. A very pretty look of nostalgia. I have to confess I am not so sure about the first dress (not knowing anything about Dirndl dresses) but there seems to me to be too many different red patterns and shades. The first girl looks like she is quite a character and the last girl is very pretty.

Theodora said...

Hi Lorraine, to be technical for a moment: Ruth was quite right to use various shades of red, but of different patterns. I think these dresses came about because people were poor and used up bits of materials to make up these garments. The apron was to keep the dress from getting dirty and the blouse was separate, so that it could be washed without the need to wash the whole outfit. It is a peasant dress, after all! Nowadays, a Dirndl Dress will cost you a small fortune! From that point of view, it is a definite match for the Sashas!!! Nice to hear from you! xxx Karin

kreinzru said...

Dirndl sind wieder mehr denn je IN! Permanent entwachsen den Regionen (Hochschwabdirndl etc.) neue Kreationen! Sind allerdings süß, Deine Dirndln!

Theodora said...

Danke Rudi! Ich habe Lust ein Salzburger Dirndl herstellen zu lassen. Aber es kostet fast so viel wie ein Dirndl von einem Trachtengeschaeft!!! Also muss ich ein bisschen warten. Die Farben habe ich schon ausgewaehlt! Danke, dass Du reingeschaut hast! Es kommt bald wieder ein 'Post'. xxx Karin

Theodora said...

Wollte noch dazusetzen, dass meine Sashas 'Kinder' unter 10 Jahre sind, also man kann sie nicht zu viel nach der Mode anziehen, da sie dann ja ihr unschuldiges Aussehen verlieren wuerden! Sasha hugs xxx Karin