My Bubble Dress
The current popularity of bubble dresses and tops brought to mind a design that I made for myself back in the early 90s. My sister, for some reason, sent me a bolt of fuschia cloth. If you’ve read my About page, you know that I really can’t sew (although we were once tasked to do so back in high school – Home Economics 101) so I have no idea why she gave that to me. It was a bit hideous if you ask me.
Anyhow, I put the cloth to good use by designing this bubble dress. It’s funny, I can’t even remember what possessed me to design this dress since I don’t remember this style being in vogue back then. I probably thought this to be the best option for the soft, unstructured cloth.
The dress has a sleeveless sabrina neckline, a wide and a dropped basque waistline that blooms into the bubble skirt. The skirt has a cuff at the bottom with covered buttons in the back. I put the buttons in so there was an option to widen the cuff in case it got difficult to put the dress on. I also added the cuff so it would hold the bubble skirt up and give it a structured look. The bodice zips in the back. I’m not sure now but think I had the seamstress add something to the skirt to give its poufy effect.
I’ve only worn this once at my cousin’s wedding in San Diego. I did turn heads and in a good way. I think the design forces the wearer to stand straight and keep good posture, that’s why. I wore them with gold heels that I got at an Oak Street boutique in Chicago (on sale for $25!) and a gold dress bag. It’s funny how gold is back in vogue again, along with the bubble skirt.
I think I still have this dress stored in the garage. Ah, the memories! Makes me want to create something of my own again. But then I would need a good seamstress!
