So I had my birthday on Saturday.
I would like to tell you that it was a badass Chicago blowout where over a hundred people sang me the Happy Birthday song and I danced my face off with some of my closest friends for 12 hours… Well, slap my ass, I did enjoy telling you that because it really happened, but it wasn’t my birthday party. Congratulations to my dear friends Andrea (of Forkable-the food blog equivalent of Painfully Hip) and Ira (of Being Totally Sweet in Chicago – the best Chicago blog in the webosphere) on their funky, sweaty, no holds barred, beauteous wedding!
But you know what else happened? I had honed in on this shifty 60s summer number (a murderous vintage confection of crisp-as-a-freshly-starched-mens-shirt cotton, scalloped eyelet lace, bijou buttons, and thoughtfully placed darts) the day before my birthday whilst shopping at a high end vintage boutique (US#1) in Wicker Park with Rory, but had practically swallowed my own tongue gulping back a tear as I slowly backed away from its glorious perfection and $60 price tag. Instead I resorted to sneaky fitting room cellphone shots and the half-assed plan of a pathetic, blurry blog post about The One That Got Away.
MARY fucking QUANT. She’s like the Andy Warhol of 60s fashion. She practically invented the 60s.
Eat your heart out, Alexander McQueen for Target.
Around midnight after a birthday nightcap, I was again considering blowing my internet bill money on something that I had convinced myself would be inexplicably magnetic to all forms of processed tomatoes. As I turned the corner to our gracious hosts’ guest room, there it was… lying there like a freshly printed $100 bill on the sidewalk, The Dress.
Thank you sweet Rory, and Jeebus too!
I even considered wearing it to the wedding next day because technically the bride’s dress wasn’t white, so why couldn’t mine be? I abstained.
mary quant for pennys
When I returned from Chicago and got together with my twin sister Eve for our belated birthday dinner and she unceremoniously handed me these pristine vintage mary jane ankle booties in the most amazing goldy green color of peachfuzz suede, I nearly shed a tear.
The best part is that my boyfriend had actually managed to talk the price of the frock down to about $30 (so proud! sniff!) and the shoes were scored at a thrift store for $2!! Coral beaded earrings were $3 at Target and the metallic wrap bracelet (belt) is from Thunderhorse Vintage and is available here.
So, kids? Just promise me you’ll never stop hoping.
Best birthday ever.
Again, apologies for the photo quality, I should have some form of functional camera sometime next week.
Oh and make sure you check out the Crossroads Trading Company Fashion Photography Contest! Vote for my PHDC Summer at the Ranch photos and I will continue loving you forever.
I LOVE your petite dress and those beautiful slippers: what a score! That outfit is super cute on you!
http://www.previouslyinaudible.wordpress.com
Ashley’s last blog post..unconventional
Amber that dress is AMAZING!!! and it looks like it was made perfectly for you!!!! Major dress envy…
Спасибо. Прочитал с интересом. Блог в избранное занес=)
Is it wrong that your story totally brought tears to my eyes? Probably! Gorgeous dress and Happy Birthday!
(and remember, sometimes it’s totally OK to splurge on yourself)
THAT is perhaps the best birthday ever! Everything in the universe just lined up to get you what you want. Amazing, just amazing.
Cutest. Dress. Ever.
Happy Birthday!
That dress is awesome. Edie Sedgwick, Twiggy, Penelope Tree: eat your hearts out. And you have a kick-ass boyfriend.
For my birthday my friend Megan took me to Bows and Arrows and let me pick out a dress. You’d have been proud.
Actually the shoes were THREE DOLLARS….I’m not that much of a cheapskate. Plus, how generous was it of me not to keep them for myself??? That has to count for something.
AMAZING dress Amber, and those shoes are glorious!
Violet Folklore’s last blog post..One More…
most perfect outfit ever.
What a score. I want the dress. I want the shoes. You look lovely.
Gracie.
I can’t believe Mary Quant designed that dress for you before you were even born. My god, what a fucking GENIUS!
Audi’s last blog post..Made of Stone
Wow your boyfriend does rule! I bet you he’s disgustingly wealthy, totally hilarious, and hung like the dominant stallion from a heard of wild horses.
Great birthday story!! happy belated!
eyeliah’s last blog post..Reformatting Question & Bummed
That dress is BEAUTIFUL!
And a very happy birthday to you!
Christina’s last blog post..Tues May 26th – Trinkets and Flowers
congrats. everything’s really nice. i’m moving to the 60s now. and have also been itching for a bowl cut.
I can’t even step foot in US #1 Vintage anymore, there are so many gorgeous pieces and high prices for me to handle. The guy that runs the place will always talk down the price, though. I’m SO glad you got the dress; it was truly made for you!
oh, rory!!!! oh, amber!!! oh, eve!! everyone came together for the best birthday outfit maybe ever!! it brings a fashionable tear to me eye
happy happy birthday, girls!!
mary catherine’s last blog post..small play big time
First time commenting here: If I can’t have that perfect dreamdress, I’m so so glad you’re the one who does. It looks perfect on you, and your legs look amazing! I love this blog a whole, whole bunch. Happy birthday, and please keep on posting.
$60 for a mary quant is a BARGAIN, don’t ever hesitate again! especially since it fit!
good you got it anyway!
rachel’s last blog post..New York, New York
i like the portraits!
xx-LJ from SOS!
60′s fashion…
Fashion News…
Oh my god! That dress is a dream! You’ll have to wear it around me next time I see you so I can say I have seen a Quant in the flesh!! And those shoe booties — dream! The little tiny guitar is adorable too! Amber, stop it, I am dying of cuteness!
Oh my cuteness! This dress was totally meant to be yours (eventually)
. It suits you so well. It really does. I do believe that it looks that good on you because you are petite and so is the dress! I doubt that there are many other girls out there able to pull off this look. You certainly do my dear.
drool. this reminds me of when I went to paris and sought out the courreges boutique. except everything there was at least 7000 euros and i didn’t come home with it waiting for me.
seriously…. i hope this isn’t a joke! HOLYHELLZACRAPOLA!!! honestly, my palms are clammy with envy, heart racing to beat you to the finish line, all just to snag the dress someone already snagged. this reminds me of the movie you seen a billion times and how even though you know the ending, some part of you has hope that it could VERY possibly take a turn for the better : (
it never does. congratulations to you. may the best man win!
i wanna have a fantasy threesome. i’ll invite miss quant, mr. sassoon, and lord warhol. i’ll open the door wearing my (yours) new dress with nothing on under it. gross? *scratches head* NAH. only a figment of my imagination.
ciao
p.s. did i mention i’m 5’11 and that i would appear to be wearing a belly shirt or better yet a bib, had i found this lil number myself. “another one bites the dust”
[...] of me and my extra styley friend, Abraham, wandering around 4th Avenue and Hotel Congress. Wearing my beloved Mary Quant vintage dress almost made up for the hangover… although that didn’t help any with my photogenicity [...]
I like this post..beautiful dresses..I saw a really nice one at weddingdresses
.-= Doc´s last blog ..Free Wedding Dresses =-.
This is the first time Im visiting your blog.. I was just randomly browsing..Your blog is very good , I am not an expert webmaster but i like your blog as its very simple and understandable.. please keep it up , 10/10 points for the great info..
Hi,
I stumbled upon your blog while reseaching Mary Quant for Penneys label. I have a 3 piece wool suit with this label. Really enjoyed your story.
Check out my Etsy store: http://www.vintageweartreasures.etsy.com.