Dress: Jane Bon Bon – (shop sadly closed it looks like)
Shoes: Hush Puppies
There are some items in my wardrobe that are such statement pieces that really you call only wear them one way, and I find it particularly difficult to “mix it up” with dresses. I mean, you can belt them, and wear them with different shoes or a cardigan, but a dress is a dress is a dress, and really unless you’re a master at layering (I’m not) then there’s not much you need to add to a dress to make an outfit.
This dress – with its gorgeous Echino fabric – always gets worn the same way, but as I was looking at the photos I realised… something was different.
Can you spot it?
I’m missing a bloody button! It must have dropped off at some point during the day when I was out and about, because I can’t find it anywhere!
They’re self-covered fabric buttons, and there’s not enough fabric in the seams to make another one, so I’m going to have to a) just leave it – two looks fine; b) remove the buttons entirely, and leave it blank; or c) make a special trip to Buttonmania and replace all three buttons.
I’m leaning towards “c” because I have a huge soft spot for Buttonmania which is located in the gorgeous 1920’s Nicholas Building, and looks like something out of a Mary Poppins book. You take the hand-operated elevator up a few floors, then follow the labyrinthine corridors until you reach the broom-closet sized shop with its wall of tiny drawers. Owner Kate Boulton’s a bit of a Melbourne craft-persons legend and has over three decades of experience in the rag trade. I went with my Mum a few years ago to replace the buttons on her coat, and it was such a fun experience that now I take every opportunity to go back!
This dress is too, too adorable….love at first site! It’s just so cute…=)
Kristina J.
Thanks, Kristina! It’s a favourite of mine, too
As usual, you’re are beautiful! Your dress is fantastic! I want the same!!!!!
Thanks, Marion!
If you hadn’t mentioned it, I would never have noticed a button was missing! I guess it’s true what they say about not spotting something if you’re not looking for it! You look lovely and the print of this dress is so summery! I would very much like to see this piece hanging in my closet! As well as being able to visit that quirky little button shop! 🙂
Thanks Bella! Buttonmania’s well worth the visit if you ever make it to this side of the world 🙂
Oh I hate it when that happens! I say find new buttons for it as according to those in fashion these things come in three!
Its a fabulous dress! I love the colours and the print. Gorgeous.
I love the print too – I have a bit of a bird thing going on at the moment, I think!
Loving the red lippy on you. nice frock too, needs nothing more.
Red lippy – no effort, looks fab!
Thanks Cilla!
Option C definitely sounds like the way to go. It’s a fantastic excuse for a bit of an adventure!
Agreed! Thanks Katie 🙂
You could just move the buttons down so they are alittle more central and spaced out if you can’t find anything else that suits the dress.
I think option C sounds like good fun though, so don’t pass up that opportunity. 🙂
I think if I can’t find any I like at Buttonmania I’ll relocate the buttons, thanks for the suggestion!
I can’t believe I’ve been in Melbourne all my 22 years of life and never knew about Buttonmania! Thank you!!!
My pleasure! I love the shop – have fun!
Many of the fabric stores will send you a swatch of the fabric if you can find it. If they will only send it stateside I might be able to forward it on to you if you would like. That way you could just get another button made and wear it just like normal. On the other hand I like it just the way it is.
go with option C and make a cute pair of earrings with the remaining two buttons.
I have quite a bit of this print which I bought to make some bags three years (egad) ago … it’s been too pretty to do anything else but look at, but I’d be happy to send you enough to cover some buttons if you would like. Not that I want to distract from shopping at what sounds like button-utopia!