Sunday 11 October 2009

My LBD

I love my Little Black Dress. It is the most versatile piece of clothing in my wardrobe. I can dress it up or down. I have worn it to several Christmas party's (and made it look different each time), weddings, funerals, christenings, fancy dress party's ( I was Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's - I wish!! and also Grace Kelly in High Society - my friends fancy dress parties are always "themed" around "musicals") . It is size 14 and is made of a magic fabric that made it still fit well when I dropped to a size 12, and equally when I went up to a size 16! Its the only thing I wear that makes me feel comfortable and glamorous. I have had the dress for about 10 years now, and the real magic of it is that it only cost me £1.00 brand new from a factory seconds shop.

I really mourn the loss of manufacturing in this country. I think it is really short sighted to close down our manufacturing plants and move it all to the far east. Here in the north, on both sides of the Pennines, we used to manufacture some of the most fabulous textiles and then make them up into wonderful garments. Here is South Yorkshire, we had lots of sewing factories employing thousands of workers. These have now all gone. I really miss the "factory shop". I discovered a brilliant one in Huddersfield about 4 years ago that manufactured clothing for Laura Ashley, Next, Planet, Linea at House of Fraser etc. You can imagine my distress when they eventually closed. I still have a stash of their fabrics though.

12 comments:

Michela said...

Hey Tiffany! Where are your gloves and pearls? You must be divine in your LBD! And what a bargain! Loss of manufacturing here too..all gone to China!

Michela said...

Ermmm...sorry..Audrey, not Tiffany!

Colette said...

It is really sad when we stop and think about it. What do we actually make still in this country of ours????????

Hope you have had a lovely weekend.

Colette x

BadPenny said...

gorgeous...it's nice to feel good in something. I too did an Audrey Hepburn....size 16 !

Rosie said...

It looks a lovely versatile dress - the best £1 you ever spent, perhaps? I too miss all the wonderful factory and seconds shops that used to be around. We still have a few china and pottery factory shops here in Stoke but many of the well known names have stopped producing in the UK or have gone under completely - some still produce here Emma Bridgewater and Portmeirion are the most successful now.

Susie's country cottage said...

Wow, that is certainly a versatile dress! Yes, it is a shame, we miss out on all those factory shops now. There isn't much made in England anymore and even if it is, its owned by a foreign company.

Jennyff said...

A LBD in the wardrobe makes you feel so grown up doesn't it. I paid quite a lot for mine but still don't regret it, though I do love a bargain. I so agree about the loss of our manufacturing base, well said.

Lyn said...

I agree Diane, it is so sad we don not 'make' anything in this country anymore! Love the little black dress, are you planning an evening out soon with it?
LOve
Lyn
xxx

JuliaB said...

Wow! That really is a magic dress!! xx

A Bun Can Dance said...

I totally agree with you Diane, about the loss of manufacturing. How would the country survive if there was a war? It makes me rather cross that so many of our industries have been lost to other corners of the globe. And in so doing, it seems the value of items has been lost too - because we can get it all so cheaply from China we can just buy it, wear it, and throw it away. Madness! And all so very short sighted. Anyway, I better reign in, otherwise I'll be ranting away for weeks!
I have rather a lot of cucumbers from my Dad's greenhouse, so I'm going to take a look at your reicipe for pickle......
Happy days to you
Denise x

The Ample Cook said...

Cor, you've got your wear out of that one girl!

I have stuff that I've had for more than 15 , even 20 year, when you could still get quality for your money. It's all cheap rubbish made abroad now isn't it?

20 years ago Wallis was my favourite. They made classic, clothes which cut cut well, from good quality fabric. They've gone to hell in a handcart now. I struggle to find anywhere to shop these days for my size and age and just end up in M&S. Sigh.

Bhushavali said...

Lovely dress and great accessories.. :)

My LBD at Fashion Panache