Indian Red Tunic Dress 365 Label Dressline

Angela Lansbury wearing a Dressline tunic style dress. Photo by Trevor Sharot.

I bought this at North Harrow library for two pounds sterling. I thought red has to be good. Not a lot to lose at that price.

Buyer's Doubts

 I hesitated because it was faded in a line under the bust. Old and shabby.

Rescue and Renovation

 I still thought I could do something with it. Either use the lower half as a skirt. Or use it as a pattern. Or wear it with the top hidden under a jacket. Or sew a ribbon horizontally across the front, or two parallel ribbons. Or dye it so that the faded part took on a vibrant shade.

Red Accessories

I put it on and looked for red accessories to enhance the new look. My frequently worn red sandals were too bright a red.. It's surprising how shades of red here are. (And how many shades of every colour.)

Smart Sandals

The two-colour, browny-red shoes were a better complement. They are also an upgrade on single colour sandals. The brand is Josef Seibel.

Contrasting Colours

An alternative is to match up with one of the three colours which edge the necklines and short sleeves. The three colours are yellow,, mid-green, and dark red.

A Beautiful Background

We went to look for an agreeable matching or contrasting background. Dark green trees, with twisting branches, formed a good frame.

The wearer sees the dress in close-up. So I appreciate the fabric's embroidered flowers. Every flower has a full size sequin centre and teeny sequins on and between the six curved pets.

Critical Camera 

The camera at a distance of a few feet hides the fading of the top of the dress. However, it draws attention to the wonky hemline, and he sleeves at different angles.

The Black Slip

The black slip is from Marks & Spencer. It is a lovely shiny fabric. I love it. I wore it for years. 

Then it tore from the top of the side slit. I sewed it up twice. Each time it split again. 

I decided I needed to widen it and secure it with a godet. That's a triangular piece in a skirt, wider at the hem, a long triangle. The result was a great success.

What is the slip for? Several reasons. Firstly, the slip makes me look taller by lowering the hem of the outfit. Secondly, it covers the bare legs between the socks and my dress or skirt. Thirdly, I can wash the slip, so the dress freshness longer between washes. Fourthly, it can make the skirt hang better and crease less. Fifthly, it can help to smooth out underwear creases such as Visible panty line, bulging thighs or hips or stomach. Sixthly, it can interest of a contrasting colour or peep of lace. Seventhly, it covers the tunic gap so you do not see legs nor underwear. 

If the slip does not match it might look untidy. But if you can match it to your shoes it adds to the co-ordinated look.

Editing Effects

I tried to edit the photo on my phone. I previously had a phone programme which allowed you to easily encircle blemishes and remove them. On my Samsung Galaxy I have not successfully removed streaks and shadows. 

However, I have discovered the large multi-point star. I have used this star to cover unwanted items in backgrounds. For example, the faces of passers-by because they are distracting and I do not have permission to use the image of that person. 

I hide distractions. Creases on clothes. A bulging stomach. a lop-sided belt.

Dressline Website

I went onto the Dressline website. They are in the UK. They specialise in oriental style garments such as kurtas with matching pants (called trousers in the UK), and usually a long matching scarf. Sometimes the scarf is a contrasting colour.

Useful Websites

https://dresslinefashion.com/products/maroon-co-ord-set-with-scarf-arina

Please share links to your favourite poss.