Lilacs & Lace: Oh Tannenbaum

Saturday, December 25, 2021

Oh Tannenbaum

For this year's holiday ensemble, I decided to dress as a Christmas tree. For many years, Jay Peterman catalogs would illustrate festively adorned dress forms wearing evergreen boughs and ornaments galore in December. Let's just say that this is my take on a much more comfortable version of the wearable Christmas tree (involving a lot less sap and pokey bits).

And then, late one night in December, I happened across an image of these super glittery shoes, and I had to have them. They reminded me that I wanted to make an over the top dress out of this holiday novelty print, and time was running out. After finding the perfect shoes, there was nothing that was going to stop me from making a suitably festive tree frock.

And with the addition of sequined shoes, there was certainly no reason to hold back with the dress and the accessories.

The ornaments and tinsel garlands were taken care of in the print, but vintage crystal jewelry would add some glitz and glamour. I also festooned the dress with ball fringe, because the busy print was just not crazy enough for those shoes!

I had an idea for a star or an angel headdress, but I ran out of time, so I pulled out a velvet bow as a finishing touch. Let's just call it a representation of the gifts that go under the Christmas tree, although it currently sits atop my head.

Perhaps next year I will create a shimmery tree topper, although I have to say that I am rather pleased with how the outfit turned out.

And I am very happy to say that a complete stranger that came into the office when I was wearing this ensemble said "You look like a Christmas tree!" Success!! The wearable Christmas tree is recognizable by all.

But no matter if there are a few people who might miss the reference . . . because the dress makes me very happy. In fact, it would be quite difficult to be truly cranky while wearing such a print.

This is now the third dress that I have made based on this pattern, not including a petticoat version, and even a cropped top.

Am I totally finished with Vogue 4203? Probably not! It's a wonderful pattern with a poofy skirt that I love.

At the time I competed the first version, I was wondering it it was worth making petticoat specifically for the dress. Years later, I think I may need to make myself another because it gets so much wear. I just need to figure out the best color before getting started!