The sexiest attribute that I can imagine? Self confidence. Forget body shape, size, height, musculature, eyes, lips, whatever. If I can see that someone feels confident in their own skin, I am attracted to them. This dress is my Sew Sexy Sewalong dress because I feel hot in it therefore I am hot in it.
While such a modest dress may not be what most people think when they think “sexy”, and honestly, it’s totally not on my first train of thought either, this dress makes me feel so good! The shape is great at highlighting my attributes (defined waist, slender neck), minimizing my not-as-strong points (hips), and giving the illusion of other strong points (bust gathers FTW). And have I mentioned that it’s a pink and green floral print dress! I love pink! I love pink and green! I love floral print! I love dresses! (Enough with all of these practical separates I’ve been sewing. Boooring.)
Self confidence is something I’m working on. A loss of self confidence is one of the biggest changes I’ve seen in myself through the course of grad school (about which I’ve been doing a lot of introspection of late). I remember back in high school when I worked for Utilikilts. On days when I was on the sales floor, I would be asked out by at least one customer every day, sometimes more. Seriously, it was pretty ridiculous. (And I always had to say no because I didn’t want to embarrass any of the men by letting them know I was only 17 when they were twice my age). I looked pretty similar then as I do now, but what was different is I had self-confidence out the wazzoo. I was flirty and full of myself and it made me hot. I want that back! {Side note: I am NOT trying to say that I or anyone should judge how sexy we feel by how much attention we get from others. That’s a whole other conversation to have.}
Ceylon is my second Colette patterns make (after the Cooper backpack) and I was impressed. Not only did it fit me pretty well out the envelope (I expected to have to do some significant fitting based on general chatter in the blogosophere) but the pattern was well drafted and the instructions were clear. I should have expected nothing less from one of the largest indie pattern companies, but it was a pleasant surprise. I had to do a MAJOR sway back adjustment to get rid of pooling fabric in my lower back but otherwise only minimal adjustments here and there. I probably could have taken a bit of fabric out of the bust, but I like how it gives me the illusion of a bit more bust, so I’ll probably leave it as is next time :)
This fabric was actually a pretty poor choice for this dress. I bought it over 10 years ago (talk about stashbusting!) and haven’t used it because, while it’s gorgeous, it’s also a really cheap synthetic. I know, I know, I keep swearing off sewing with cheap fabric. And making a labor intensive and expertly finished dress like the Ceylon out of such a cheap fabric (that frays like the dickens!) is stupid. But I look hot. And I love it. And, in this instance, I’m okay with stupid :)
And just look at that giant row of buttons. There’s definitely something a little erotic about a long line of buttons. Vintage flavoured, yes, but a bit sexy too. Amazingly, I had these buttons in my stash, a giant bag of them as a gift from a friend. I experimented with self-fabric buttons but this dress really started to pop once I put the black buttons on. They ground the fabric.
I know I constantly say that I’ll sew a pattern again and then I get distracted by the latest shiny thing in front of me. But I will be back for more on this dress. Really!
Comments 30
Definitely sexy. Looks amazing on & love the colours. Always loved the Ceylon & you’re rocking it!
Maybe it’s not a lack of self confidence, because I see sassy, sexy and loads of confidence written all over your makes. Perhaps it’s a different part of your personality that you’ve been inhabiting while pursuing your doctoral. It’s difficult to be in the midst of your higher-minded learning and be that person you once were and expect of yourself. By necessity of an involved program, you have to go into your self and become more introverted. Be kind to the you that you are right now and once you’re not enmeshed in that intellectual landscape mentally and physically, you’ll have the energy to further expand your personality. I bow down to the possibilities of you.
Author
Thanks for the thoughtful comment. I can definitely use the reminder to be kind to myself (I think many of us can!). I do need to be a different facet of myself in the academic setting than as a seamstress, that is very true (thanks for pointing that out). I am working very hard to craft the me I want to be once I’m out of graduate school and away from that physical and mental landscape (great way of putting it!) and I really, really appreciate the kind words you have about the me I can be! Thank you!
YES YES YES! To the message and to the dress! You look AMAZING.
Author
Thanks!!
Definitely sexy! You look amazing but then I always think you look confident & gorgeous!
Author
Thanks! I try. A dear friend gave me the sincere advice a few years ago to “fake it until I make it” in self-confidence, and I try and take it to heart. Sometimes it works, too!
This is hands down the best Ceylon I’ve seen in the blogosphere. Gorgeous work & gorgeous lady!
Author
That’s quite a compliment! Thanks!
It is fabulous and you look fantastic. I also wouldn’t have thought of you as someone who lacks in confidence. You always look great in your makes! Fake it til you make it as they say!
I love the fabric, love the design, and you look amazing!
I completely agree with all of this! That dress is gorgeous, but that’s not the important thing – the important thing is that it makes you feel gorgeous, and that you want to skip down the street wearing it. What a fabulous interpretation of this sewalong.
Lol Yes for the message. Yes for the buttons. Yes for the dress.
i’m with it :-)
You looks confident and the smile your wearing is super sexy. What a great So Sexy Sew Along dress.
The fabric may be cheap but it doesn’t look it, it’s gorgeous and you totally rock this dress!
This is gorgeous! The fabric looks lovely, and I agree that the black buttons really make it pop.
I got this pattern for Christmas, and haven’t made it yet, but you’re inspiring me!
LOVE this pattern on you! The fabric is stunning, and those buttons are mysterious and sexy. Hooray for self confidence, the best thing we can wear any day :)
I recognize that material and I remember when you got it. It was on that wonderful girl’s weekend to Vancouver, BC with your mom, me and a two-month old Colleen. That means it was nearly 12 years ago. I still have my piece of the same fabric. I’ve thought about making it into a blouse. I love what you did with it. You look gorgeous! And as someone who has known both the 17-year old you and the post-graduate you, you have only gotten better with age. I hope you can see that. It’s easy to remember the promise of yet to come selves as full of confidence and ready to take on the world, but the person whose been through adversity and made it through the other side is more relatable and a far stronger person.
Author
Yes! So fun that you recognize the fabric!!! Thanks so much for the sweet words. I do appreciate them, especially coming from someone who has known me through all of my stages :)
Hi Erin! Love the look – and – you’ve been nominated for the Liebster Award! If you choose to accept it, you can write a post with the questions answered and display your award. :) http://www.sewmccool.com/the-liebster-award-and-link-love/
-Deanna {sewmccool}
Author
Thanks Deanna! That’s very sweet of you. I also had a great time meeting you and have been impressed by watching your blog grow so fast!
It is a gorgeous dress and you look fantastic in it! The ability sew and the wonderful sewing community has really helped me build my confidence in my makes and in myself, I’m currently trying to translate that confidence from sewing to my professional self.
Author
So glad that your self confidence is building and I wish you all the best in translating it your professional self. Isn’t the sewing community wonderful!?!
The sexiest thing about anyone is their brain. It’s all in how you think about yourself.
Grad school was the first time I’d heard of imposter syndrome, and it was like a light went on. Especially since you spent so much of your time having your work critiqued; it can start to play with your mind a little. Just remember that you rock. And so does this dress.
Author
Thanks for the thoughtful and sweet words!
I totally love the message behind this post!!! And the dress in it!!
This kind of convo is exactly what the sew along is all about!! We all, ALL OF US, have our low confidence moments. I am like a roller-coaster over the course of a month. Seriously. I think of charting it out, sometimes.
Wearing something that makes you feel sexy (I embraced the loss of my larger hips, you celebrated your pick highlighting yours in a pleasing way) AND having the ability to make that thing yourself is mighty powerful!! It is a way for us mere mortals, to achieve super heroine status (if only in our minds)! I can be found fist pumping or dancing around when a project works. That power translates directly into a confidence boost. Put on the dress and really like what you see, BAM confidence BOOSTED!!
Author
As always, LOVE what you have to say! Thanks again for inspiring this project!
that dress is fantastic, emphasizes your tiny waist! and I love you in pink, it complements your flawless skin. those photos are great. slightly victorian style always seems sexy to me (perhaps conditioned by too many movies or something) anyway – great dress on you and certainly a pattern to repeat.
Author
thank you for the profuse compliments! yes, I totally agree that this is a pattern to repeat!
The dress looks great!! Confidence definitely makes anyone sexier. I love that you worked at the Utilikilt store! :)