Monday, April 4, 2011

The Daily Dress: Susie Brown


Welcome back to The Daily Dress! I've been thinking about the purpose of this new feature. Friends, it is not to showcase celebrities. Rather, I see it as a place to look at dress photos that are retro-inspired and can be used as sewing or style inspiration. They may come from red carpets or fashion shows, but they could just as easily be from museum archives or vintage photos. Also, this will be in addition to my regular posting, not in place of it.

Now that we've got that cleared up, let's talk about today's dress! This photo (of Susie Brown of The JaneDear Girls at the Academy of Country Music Awards last night) instantly caught my eye because of Susie's adorable retro style. Frankly, I love her bangs. Satin is hard to wear, and she does it well. But do we love the dual-shouldered bows? I'm not sure. I could have done with one less bow, I think.

Anyway, I've never heard of this Susie Brown lady, but she has a really cool, country-vintage style, as seen on this album cover. I think Patsy Cline would be proud!

23 comments:

  1. I like the dress; personally I wouldn't want all that bow action on my shoulders, but I like the look for the red carpet. I like the gather at the waist, too.

    I'm not a fan of 98% of country music, but her adorable retro styling and that album cover make me want to check her out. Maybe they will make the 2%... :)

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  2. On closer inspection, I see that isn't a gather at the waist, it is just the material bunched up. But she wears it well.

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  3. I agree, there is a little too much bow-action on that dress. But, I love Susie's style! I heart vintage country.

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  4. Interesting dress (though I have no clue who she is--I don't really like most country music and have no clue about that particular scene of the music world!). I definitely love the color and the shoulder details; but then again, I have been discovering an affinity I have for strong shoulder lines lately. The one thing that bothers me though is her hair. Not the color or bangs (which darnit, I'm coveting!), but the pony tail. It just seems to be getting in the way of the shoulder bows! That is one of my pet peeves though; if you have a striking/structural neckline or shoulder, don't clutter it with hair!

    I'm enjoying this new feature, btw. I'm not usually into what goes on in the wide world of red carpets, so seeing some of the vintage influence that shows up will be fun. :)
    ♥ Casey

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  5. I love the bows on the dress! I agree with Casey, the hair gets in the way of all the details. :]

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  6. I love her look... her face reminds me of a young Marie Osmond. You know, when she was "a little bit country".

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  7. I actually like the double bows, which is very strange for me. The style on the album is quite cute as well!

    evilcitywoman.com

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  8. I don't mind the look although it is perhaps 'top heavy' with the bows -- I quite like the double bows but I think maybe the skirt doesn't quite balance it? Either that or you would need some natural va-va-voom in the hips and booty to give it a curvier look.

    I also like this new blog feature -- isn't inspiration, after all, an essential component to the creative process of sewing?

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  9. Typically, I don't think grown women should wear big bows of any sort, but I really like this look on her. She carries it off well as though the dress was made for her. Very smart choice for the occasion.
    And again on the album cover-the entire ensemble is compelling and makes her stand out opposed to the other woman who is wearing.....what is she wearing...?

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  10. I love the double bows!

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  11. I must confess, I instantly thought of you when I saw her hairstyle. I think she is copying your bangs. There, you are a retro trendsetter!

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  12. Ooh. She's lovely! So is her dress!

    Odd, I love country music, but I've never heard of Jane Dear. Perhaps because my cutoff date is around 1975...

    She's so cute, though! And she perfectly straddles that fine line between 'vintage-inspired' and 'costume-y.'

    Garnet

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  13. Gertie, have you seen the times on The Sartorialist when he asks readers to submit "vintage" photos of family members with great style? It's a fantastic way to see great vintage style in its original context on everyday people. I've learned so much from seeing those photos. Just food for thought as you think about sources for The Daily Dress!

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  14. I am with Casey, I think the bows would work better with her hair up higher to not conflict. k.

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  15. I grew up with Sus in Utah she is so cute in real life. I knew you would love her style!!!!! LIsa

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  16. I agree that the bows could be overwhelming on some, but the dress would be absolutely elegant without or how about at the waist that could be interesting (unless you are hippy like me!) But I think she looks lovely - her dark hair with the red is fabulous!

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  17. i love this new feature! especially the dresses you've picked so far. there's so much detail on both; i feel like i have to study them, and in studying them i get inspired.

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  18. Love the new feature, Gertie. I like the bows, but I think they would look better if a little smaller or less poufy. Even so, I like the dress and she pulls it off well. I also am not familiar her music and will certainly have to check it out.

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  19. Thank you so much for featuring my ACM dress in your blog! I've always been a big fan of vintage fashion and I had a designer named Ryan Gamboa make it for me. I love your blog and I hope to be able to learn some great tips from you! Thanks again=) ~Susie

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  20. Thanks for your comment, Susie! I look forward to seeing more fabulous red carpet photos of you in the future. Also, I'm totally copying your bangs. They're fierce. :)

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  21. Too much bow going on, but I have a newly developed fascination with Susie Brown's style! So cute and retro.

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  22. Susie Brown is awesome! She's uber talented too and is a songwriter and plays some 13 different instruments!

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Thanks for your comments; I read each and every one! xo Gertie

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