So, this party popped up on the calendar, theme was Paris. Right away, my mind went to ‘what am I possibly going to wear?’. I didn’t want to buy something totally new just for one night, seemed like a waste.
I started by just thinking about what ‘Paris’ style means to me, you know? Pulled out some old fashion magazines I had lying around, did a bit of just browsing online, looking at pictures. Lots of classic stuff, stripes, simple silhouettes, a bit of chic flair. Didn’t want anything too costumey, like walking around with a fake mustache or something.
Finding the Starting Point
First thing I did was raid my own closet. Dug way in the back. Found this simple black sheath dress I haven’t worn in ages. Good bones, you know? Plain, but the shape was right. Figure I could definitely work with that. It fit okay, maybe a little snug, but manageable for a party.
Decided that black dress would be my canvas. Better than starting from scratch.
Gathering the Bits and Pieces
Okay, plain black dress isn’t very ‘Paris theme’. Needed some extras. I went down to that little fabric shop downtown. Spent maybe an hour just looking through remnants and trims. Found some nice, wide grosgrain ribbon in a classic red. Perfect! Thought I could use that for a belt or waist detail.
Also grabbed:
- A small spool of black thread.
- Some tiny little sew-on pearl beads, just a small packet.
- Needed a bit more… found a simple striped scarf I already owned, black and white. Classic.
And of course, I had to find a beret. Didn’t have one. Found a cheap wool one after looking in a couple of accessory shops. Nothing fancy, just a basic black beret.
Putting It Together
Alright, the making part. Laid the dress flat on my dining table. Took that red ribbon and pinned it around the waistline to see how it looked. Decided yeah, that works. Gives it a pop of color and defines the waist a bit.
I’m not great at sewing, honestly. Didn’t feel like digging out the machine. So, I just hand-stitched the ribbon on. Tucked the ends under neatly and put in small, careful stitches. Took a while, watching TV while I did it. Pricked my finger a couple of times, naturally.
Then, those little pearl beads. Thought about scattering them, but decided to just add a few clustered near the neckline on one side. Again, hand-stitched them on. Just a little subtle detail, nothing too flashy.
The Finishing Touches
Dress done. Now the accessories. Tried on the dress with the new ribbon waist and pearls. Looked better already. Then I added the striped scarf, just loosely tied around my neck. Put on the beret, tilted it just so. Had to futz with it in the mirror for a bit to get it feeling right.
Pulled out some simple silver hoop earrings I wear all the time and a pair of low black heels. Didn’t want to overdo it.
Final Check
Looked in the full-length mirror. Okay. It wasn’t haute couture, but it felt… right for the theme. Simple, a little bit classic, definitely hinted at Paris without being a silly costume. The red ribbon really helped. Felt comfortable too, which is important. Ready for that party.
