Lady in red….is dancing with me….. it’s stuck in your head now, isn’t it? Your welcome. Brings me right back to junior high school sock hops in the gym… Well you know what? This dress belongs back there in 1986 with Chris de Burgh too. All it needs are some ginormous shoulder pads!
Oh my gosh…. I want to L-O-V-E love this dress but there is something stopping me….those dang big sleeves. Not the upper part of the sleeve, everything’s just fine there…it’s at the cuff. I find that they detract from the best parts of this dress. I really love the neckline, for a faux wrap, it stays close to the body with no wardrobe malfunctions. I like that I can tie the sash in the front or the back of this dress. With the large belled sleeves though, I prefer to tie it in the back so it doesn’t look so busy from the front. Of course then there’s the fabric choice…crepe knit in a perfect red. I love this fabric. It’s heavy and warm for the winter yet doesn’t wrinkle badly and can be machine washed.
This is Vogue 8825, very easy Vogue. True to its claim, this was a super easy make. Here is my review.
My Review:
Pattern: Vogue 8825
Fabric used: Heavy Knit Crepe in a gorgeous red
Instructions: So simple! Another raglan sleeve… I am on a roll with this sleeve lately.
Changes I made: None. Changes I should have made… removed the cuff and make the sleeve slim to the wrist!!!
Repeat worthy? Yes…with changes.
Sorry about these over exposed pictures….it was the best I had of the back of the dress.
On a side note… I think that my son did a great job taking these pictures for me. It was really cold out and he suggested that I not breathe when I smiled for a picture because he could see my breath. So smart! Now there’s a photo tip for those of you living in colder climates like me!
So what do you think? I’d like to know. Keep the sleeves as they are in all their glorious puffiness or remove the cuff and make them slim to the wrist? I think you already know what I want to do 🙂
But maybe you could change my mind…
But maybe you could change my mind…
This is absolutely gorgeous on you!! I didn't notice the puffy sleeves until you mentioned it… I would be inclined to reduce the volume, but don't slim it down too much. Great dress!
Keep the cuffs! They are a huge feature on this fabulous dress. Dramatic, just like the lush colour you chose! Id change nothing, your dress is amazing and fits you so well :)x
This is a gorgeous dress! I like the sleeves–they are one more interesting detail of this dress. It really looks beautiful on you, and I'm inclined to buy this pattern for myself after seeing your lovely version.
I love the drama of the sleeves! If they won't bother you too much, I say keep them 🙂
I love your classy style. And I totally agree with you on the sleeves. I looked at the first picture and said to myself, "Great dress, as usual, but wacky big sleeves." Go with your gut. 🙂
I really like it and the sleeves just add to the glamour!! That song totally makes me think of junior high dances too!
Keep the sleeves – I think they make the dress what it is. Great colour. Great pattern.
Yep, I agree with you on the cuffs! If the dress was a print, I think they'd be allright, but since it's a solid, they're just detracting from the awesomeness of the dress. It is a gorgeous dress!
Love the dress, As to the sleeves, I could see taking some length, fullness out as the thing that looks odd to me is the way the fabric pools too much at the top of the cuff but do love the overall look of the sleeve.
Beautiful dress. I'm not a puffy sleeve gal so I vote for slimming them down. It's always worth it to fix something that's otherwise perfect!
It's beautiful!
I agree with your perspective!
I love the dress but am also not a puffy sleeve girl. I would remove it I think. Having slim sleeves would make layering easier.
I love the whole dress, sleeves included.
Love the shape of this dress, and the fit – and the colour is amazing on you – but I think if I were you, and if I could be bothered, I'd take the sleeves in a bit. They do make a statement as is, but to me they draw attention away from the bodice, and I suspect the dress would look more elegant with slimmed down sleeves. It is still perfectly lovely as is, of course!
Gosh this is a lovely dress on you. The sleeves add such drama, but I also think that it would be stunning with less volume in the wrists.
The sleeves are what make this dress special!! And of course the color, which is amazing on you. Gorgeous and perfect – I wouldn't touch a thing.
You are so beautiful Margo! This dress looks great on you. I love the sleeves, they highlight your slim waistline.
Gorgeous! You look stunning in this dress and color, Margo!
As Kirsty said, I think this dress would be better with less volume in the wrists 🙂
Love it, the color looks amazing on you, and the dress looks well made!
I think it's gorgeous! I don't see 80's at all. In fact, I immediately thought 40s starlet when I saw the thumbnail in my reader feed. Maybe it will grow on you. 😀
Margo, my guess is you don't like the sleeves because you generally wear fitted clothes and are not used to them. But I agree with everyone else, and believe us when we say that this dress looks great on you and the sleeves really add style and drama. Definitely a winner!!
Remake both ways & chose the one you like best. The feel of the sleeve with & without the cuff. I would slim down the sleeve with no cuff for a more casually look. Use the cuff in a dressy fabric, even sheer. Your son has excellent photography tips for the cold weather.
I like the puffy sleeves on you – but this is a bit hypocritical as I would probably slim them for myself! Mostly as I am clumsy and would probably dip them in things.
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Ooops Gillian!! I deleted your comment by accident! If anyone knows how to retrieve it plese let me know.
Thanks Lisa!
Thank you Dawn! I too love the drama but wonder if it's too much.
Thanks Jessica!! Yes, I vote you try this dress out, I love the fit!
Stunning dress. I also loved the full sleeves, but have experienced the same feeling of being too 'puffy' when I made a full sleeved blouse a few years back.
Thanks Morgan! I love your style so I will be taking that into consideration.
Thanks Anne! My gut is kinda telling me to maybe trim some excess bulk out of the sleeves but keep the look.
Lol… we are really dating ourselves aren't we Heather!
Thanks Tia!
Thanks!The sleeves might just have to go on a bit of a diet…I'm a wee bit afraid that I might lose the what makes this dress special if I change them completely.
I think you are on to something Carol. I too like the idea of this sleeve but maybe it needs tweeking before I go and do a total overhaul on them. Thanks!
Thanks Noelle! I do think it needs some fixing but I'll have to do a bit of thinking before I touch those sleeves…. I like the rest of the dress so much that I'm afraid I won't like it if I make a big change to the sleeves..
Awww thanks Faye!!
I'm not so sure what my perspective is anymore…lol!
Thanks! That's true about layering it with slimmer sleeves. I now have to decide what kind of dress this is…a glamorous one or a more everyday kind of dress?
Thanks Sam!
Thanks Gabrielle! I suspect that you are on to something!
Thank you Kirsty! I do love the dress.
Thanks Gail! The color is my favorite thing about the dress.
Thanks Nessa!
Thanks Hana! I am totally leaning toward trimming some volume out of them but still keeping the look of them.
Thank you Lillian!
Wow! 40's scarlet?? Thanks Michelle!
Thanks Emma! It's true that the fit of the sleeves feels somewhat more bulky than what I'm used to.
Hmmmm…food for thought there Sharon! Thank you!
Lol! Well I'm clumsy myself and that thought occurred to me as well! Sloppy, dirty sleeves would not be so glamorous!
I love the look "in theory" but in reality they may be a wee bit too much for me. Thanks Gail!!