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What Wendy Wore: Ceil Chapman for Sunday Brunch

May 16, 2011 by WendyB

This vintage Ceil Chapman dress is very delicate, so I rarely wear it. I think yesterday’s brunch was the dress’s first outing since 2008. I was relieved that none of the seams opened this time. (In case they did, I had a tiny sewing kit in my purse.)

What Wendy Wore
Dress: Silk Ceil Chapman dress
Shoes: Dolce & Gabbana (’90s? early 2000s?)
Bag: Prada (2007)
Necklace: My own Gloriana design

I’ve thought of getting rid of this dress but I’m happy I still have it. It’s nice to wear it for a couple of hours every three years or so!

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Filed Under: outfit post, pictures of me, vintage, What Wendy Wore

Previous Post: « Vintage Pick of the Day: Jean-Louis Scherrer Suit
Next Post: Jewel of the Month: May Flower, Customized for Christine »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Miss Peelpants says

    May 16, 2011 at 2:45 pm

    That is a perfect dress. Worth the sewing kit, for sure.

  2. Sally says

    May 16, 2011 at 2:49 pm

    Could you shellac it to keep it from shredding? That dress is STUNNING and must be kept!

  3. FutureLint says

    May 16, 2011 at 3:41 pm

    That dress is incredible! And I love the addition of the bright shoes!

  4. Madeleine Gallay says

    May 16, 2011 at 4:05 pm

    Really good on you .. a good one!!

  5. Pam @over50feeling40 says

    May 16, 2011 at 4:06 pm

    What a fabulous brunch dress…you need a hat!! So chic and it fits you perfectly!!

  6. belle de ville says

    May 16, 2011 at 4:24 pm

    Adorable, I love the color.

  7. yoana says

    May 16, 2011 at 4:32 pm

    What a wonderful dress!It’s normal that you care it so much.

  8. brett says

    May 16, 2011 at 4:49 pm

    such a cool dress
    the print and colors are great
    brett

  9. Couture Allure says

    May 16, 2011 at 5:00 pm

    I love, love, love this dress on you Wendy! Is the the fabric that is giving away or the thread that sews the seams together? If it’s the thread, take the dress to your tailor and have her reinforce all the seams with new thread. Easy! Then you can wear it for 5 or 6 hours at least!

    • WendyB says

      May 16, 2011 at 7:23 pm

      It’s both…started with the seams but then the fabric actually gave. Jean from Ghost Tailor rebuilt it with gauze but I’m always waiting for another incident in a new spot!

      • Lara says

        May 17, 2011 at 1:50 pm

        Yeah, I was gonna say reinforce the seams. Such a shame the fabric is so weak now. It’s beautiful!
        Maybe you can use it as a pattern for a new dress once it bites the dust!

  10. Vix says

    May 16, 2011 at 5:03 pm

    It would be a crime to get rid of that dress, it’s perfect on you. xxx

  11. Penny Dreadful Vintage says

    May 16, 2011 at 5:21 pm

    RROWWWR! Don’t ever get rid of that dress Wendy, you look hawt. Seams can be repaired for ever and ever x

  12. Andrea says

    May 16, 2011 at 5:33 pm

    you look beautiful 🙂 this dress is gorgeous <3

  13. Eli says

    May 16, 2011 at 6:28 pm

    I had a dress rip the other day as I was leaving work, good thing I was going home. I got in the car and sat down too fast and ripped the slit of my vintage dress all the way up! I wasn’t expecting that all, so I cannot even imagine how delicate your dress is if you already are apprehensive about it. It reminds me of that vintage Dior dress Kate Spade that practically fell apart on her a few years ago

  14. Elizabeth says

    May 16, 2011 at 6:46 pm

    Wow, that dress is so pretty. I love the draping and the colors. The shoes look brilliant with it! I never knew you had yellow shoes!

  15. Nickie Frye says

    May 16, 2011 at 7:11 pm

    Oh my gosh, I LOVE the dress! What a pretty design. Very pretty on you. Cute shoes too. xoxo

  16. Marissa says

    May 16, 2011 at 7:21 pm

    This is why I’m hopeless when it comes to vintage shopping. If I saw this dress on the rack, I wouldn’t even give it a second glance. But, on you, it’s amazing! I think I just have no imagination when it comes to vintage. I need lessons.

    • WendyB says

      May 16, 2011 at 7:22 pm

      Hint: ask the shop owner for help, like I do!

  17. K-Line says

    May 16, 2011 at 7:25 pm

    OMG – That is GORGEOUS on you! I love the shoes with it too.

  18. Rebecca says

    May 16, 2011 at 7:42 pm

    That dress is gorgeous. The only time I’ve ever worn a super fragile vintage dress was in a play, and I had to keep a sewing kit backstage.

  19. Closet Fashionista says

    May 16, 2011 at 7:53 pm

    That dress is sooo gorgeous! I love the detailing on the bottom of the skirt!

  20. Susan Tiner says

    May 16, 2011 at 7:58 pm

    That dress and those shoes are amazing on you! I really love the drape of the front ruffle. That’s really too bad about the seams though.

  21. Tanvi says

    May 16, 2011 at 9:46 pm

    You carry it well! 🙂 Love the draping in the front. How unique 🙂

  22. Swan says

    May 16, 2011 at 10:07 pm

    For a maniac you sure clean up good 😉 and have excellent taste in vintage. Even the 1st part of that sentence is meant as a compliment.

  23. Megan Mae says

    May 16, 2011 at 10:56 pm

    That dress is beautiful. I hope you get to enjoy it for some time more. Either way, you’ll always have gorgeous photographic evidence of it!

  24. patni says

    May 17, 2011 at 12:30 am

    That dress is absolutely beautiful. I love it with the yellow shoes too. I could never throw it out if it was mine. Even if it ended its days on a mannequin creepily placed in a corner. It looks gorgeous on you.

    • WendyB says

      May 17, 2011 at 12:32 am

      Now I want to wear it while creepily standing in a corner!

  25. Smashingbird says

    May 17, 2011 at 3:36 am

    Wow Wendy – you look seriously amazing, the dress is just divine.

  26. The maiden metallurgist says

    May 17, 2011 at 9:08 am

    It looks beautiful on you!

  27. mystyle says

    May 17, 2011 at 9:34 am

    Hi my dear-what a stunning and unique dress, you look amazing!! xx

  28. kakkoiimono says

    May 17, 2011 at 10:05 am

    That dress is the most unique Ceil I’ve seen – never let it go. I just found one at the bottom of a massive dig, and the minute I touched it I knew it was Ceil before even finding the label. Yours I never would’ve guessed. Brava!

  29. Tina says

    May 17, 2011 at 10:50 am

    Love the dress and the yellow shoes! So seriously, have you had a vintage dress malfunction while out and about??

  30. For Those About To Shop says

    May 17, 2011 at 11:26 am

    Do not get rid of that dress! I gasped out loud and breathed “oh my god” when I saw it. It’s exquisite! I love the bustle as I am so enthralled with anything that can increase my limited curves and i love the fact that it is obviously vintage. So romantic with the little buttons and the flared sleeve. Stunning find!

  31. The Styley says

    May 17, 2011 at 12:01 pm

    I love the bright yellow shoes with that dress. Maybe every three years IS the way to go, and in between wearings you can display it in your apartment as art?

  32. the nyanzi report says

    May 17, 2011 at 2:12 pm

    absolutely beautiful and fabulous!

    p.s. i loved your article last about fame and fortune.

  33. Mardel says

    May 17, 2011 at 2:18 pm

    what a gorgeous, gorgeous dress. Certainly worth holding on to and wearing every now and then.

  34. That's Not My Age says

    May 17, 2011 at 2:26 pm

    Don’t get rid of the dress – it’s stunning. The shape, the colour and print are just beautiful. Perhaps you should start wearing a flesh-coloured body stocking underneath just in case the seams give way!

    • WendyB says

      May 17, 2011 at 2:28 pm

      Ha! I did wear a half slip for that very reason, thinking at least part of me was covered!

  35. Marian says

    May 17, 2011 at 3:53 pm

    The cut of that dress is quite special! Love that you added the punch of the yellow heel Wendy!
    Glam kisses,
    Marian

  36. Marian says

    May 17, 2011 at 3:54 pm

    P.s You have to keep the dress my sweets
    xoxo
    marian.

  37. stacy says

    May 17, 2011 at 8:10 pm

    very romantic and ladylike

  38. Emily Britton says

    May 17, 2011 at 10:26 pm

    That dress is beyond A-mah-zing and you look hot! Rock it sister.

  39. miss cavendish says

    May 18, 2011 at 8:32 am

    Know what you mean: I have a silk jersey Pucci dress from the 60s that falls apart every time I glimpse at it in my closet!

  40. Veshoevius says

    May 19, 2011 at 7:42 pm

    Please do NOT get rid of this dress – it is fabulous! So unique in design and print and looks beautifully made – and above you look absolutely amazing in it!

  41. dashannon says

    May 19, 2011 at 8:21 pm

    Vintage done right(eous)

  42. Fajr | Stylish Thought says

    May 25, 2011 at 3:56 pm

    Love it. If you ever have the urge to purge you can pass it my way. My tatas alone might bust the seams though 🙁

  43. Susan says

    May 30, 2011 at 5:00 pm

    don’t ever get rid of this dress- it is beautiful! love the yellow shoes too.
    xo

  44. Lizzi S. says

    May 31, 2011 at 1:48 am

    Ooh I love it!

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MEET WENDY BRANDES

Award-winning designer of fine jewelry inspired by women's history and pop culture. A former journalist who writes about jewelry, fashion, medieval history, news, feminism, dogs, cats and whatever else is on her mind. Blogging since 2007.
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