Keep it Simple…. Keep it in Budget

Whether sensitive to the economy, saving for a new home, planning for a child’s college or struggling with an income growing slower than idea, we all seem to be thinking about our budgets lately. At the same time we want to enjoy our hobby. This crazy hobby that at times can cost a pretty penny.

For many women enjoying the hobby means a new dress. The idea of a new dress can spark a myriad of tempting ideas dancing through our heads of fabrics, colors, prints, weaves, necklines, sleeves, trims and the like. Before we know it we may have a beautiful dress designed in our imagination that is anything but budget wise? So, how does a woman get that new dress while keeping with a budget?

Keep it simple… Keep it practical… Keep it versatile… Keep it in Budget

Are you asking “What does that mean?”

First, if you have read them, I want you to go read three articles. If you have read them, I want you to go back and read them again. These are Liz Clark’s Assembling the Best Bet Wardrobe and The Cost of Accuracy 2010 (where on page 3 you will find a guide on how to assemble a wardrobe for $20 a month) and my Anatomy of a Dress. (If the links to Liz’s articles don’t work, they are here in her Compendium)

Now, let us look at that dress that is simple, practical, versatile and in Budget.

This dress isn’t the same for everyone. It needs to suit your age, roles, 19th century social status and kinds of events you attend. Your dress is the dress which will best suit a multitude of situations for you, the dress you can adjust the accessories on to change what it can be used for.

One of the most versatile dresses is a light weight wool dress, meaning tropical weight, nicely fitted for your body with a coat sleeve. This dress could be worn over a smaller skirt support for laboring purposes. Accessorize with a kerchief at the neckline, utilitarian cuffs and apron. If you have a work petticoat, you could pin your skirts up over it. For a look suitable for a woman of modest means going to town, add a crisp, yet simple collar and cuffs along with a Petersham ribbon belt with a mother of pearl buckle and a neck ribbon. Add a plaid wool shawl draped over your shoulders. For a well dressed look of a woman of moderate means, choose a delicate collar and cuffs with simply elegant embroidery for your personal linens. Accessorize with a Petersham ribbon belt closed with a gutta-percha, vulcanite, or cut steel buckle and a mass-marketed brooch at your neck. Select a nice shawl such as a bordered wool or European made Paisley, or opt for a delicate fichu. To achieve the look of a woman of comfortable means, replace your buckle a finer one possibly of gold or silver and your brooch with something like bog oak or other nicer piece. Drape a silk or lace shawl over your shoulders; a delicate fichu will work as well.

A tropical wool dress may not suit everyone’s needs whether scenario based or personally based. This same premise can be applied to other dresses stretching their versatility. For some who need to be able to wash their dress on a regular basis or who are not ready to look into a tropical wool, a cotton dress may be more appropriate. For those who frequent warmer events or who have heat sensitivity, a sheer dress may be a better choice. In either case we can apply the concepts above with the tropical wool dress. A cotton dress made of a quality fabric in a period correct print (mind you quality can be found on a budget with smart shopping and wise saving) can be finished with personal linens in the same way. The accessories can be selected according to the situation as well. A sheer dress can also have its personal linens or accessories changed out to suit the occasion.

By changing out the personal linens and accessories on a single dress you really can go from one outfit to 3 or 4 outfits suitable for a wide variety of occasions.