That first dress you posted is hands-down my favorite. It reminds me of this dress which comes with the pattern number if one is so inclined to track it down. I'm sure there's a closer pattern, though... there's some seaming going on in the Shabby Apple bodice (didn't they once have a zoom option?) that I can't quite see...and the sleeves aren't a perfect match. (And, while I'm at it, you'd have to swap out the skirt for an A-line, but that's comparatively easy.)

The other dress I saw that made my heart sing when I clicked over to Shabby Apple was the Saffron. Oh, the stripes! The swishy skirt! *tumbles down a rabbit hole of stripes* See also the Henna skirt.

I've been meaning to post in here, but kept forgetting about it.

I recently bought four dresses from modcloth.com

This dress http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/be-outside-dress-in-delft is really comfortable on a hot day, but the armholes are a bit too small and it's no longer available.

This one http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/an-afternoon-with-you-dress-in-blue is really soft, and easy to dress up or down. I got it in blue and gray.

The blue on this dress http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/day-after-day-dress-in-dusk-dots is brighter in person than in the picture, and it's a perfect shade of blue. It also comes in four other shades.

This one http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/feeling-storm-and-cozy-dress is my absolute favorite. The pattern, the fit, the fabric are all perfect. And the skirt flares out! Yes, I did twirl a lot when I put it on.

I also bought this shirt http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/f06d/ because it was on sale last week and I just couldn't resist. Fortunately, it is a much darker shade of blue, although it really should be black because that's what the Guards of the Citadel wore.

Ooh, that Lilacs and Lace dress is so lovely, Mel! In a way, it's a little bit like a cross between the #1 and the #3 dress... love it. I think I'd be tempted to make it with both the original skirt and an A-line version. It's so pretty! That Henna skirt is lovely, too... such a beautiful twirl!

I love your taste in fashion, dotK! I really like the pattern and colors on the first dress, and the second one looks so comfortable and versatile! I've been admiring that Day After Day dress design for a while, and love how they come in different prints and colors. The cloud pattern and soft colors on the fourth dress are so lovely—I can see why it's your favorite! Yay for twirly skirts.

Some links for ModCloth dresses that I've been admiring today...

This is just too cute.
I really like the color and the pockets!
An adorable, simple design.
I love the beading on this and the unique hemline!

A lot of those dresses at modcloth have really classic lines; simple but elegant. I rarely buy stuff, as it's hard to find anything that's long enough to suit me, and as for sleeves....Well, it's better not to mention that.

Lovely ideas for future projects, though--and then the row of similar dresses at the bottom--what a wealth of patterns and colours, a feast for the eyes.

Very nice, dot! It's easiest for me to picture you in the second dress; but they're all lovely.

*adds the LotR tee to her wishlist*

I just picked up a couple of skirts at the thrift store last week that I adore. Too bad it'll be almost impossible to track down pictures of them. One's a swishy blue floral that looks stunning paired with a light gray short sleeve suit-style jacket. And the other is an A-line with an asymetrical hem and a zebra stripe print in shades of brown.

It is har for me to find nice stuff in thrift shops that are not jackets. Since the average size is 14(not sure the equivalent us size fore sure but i think it is 10) and I am a size 8(i think that is a us 4). So if you are size 14 you have the biggest choice. I have however found a nice jacket, i bought a size 10, the sleeves are a little long but they look better rolled up anyway.

Anyway I hate how the average store only sells those really long jumpers(I do not like this style myself) or those crop jumpers. I do not own any high-waisted jeans(finding anything high waisted to fit me is near impossible).

Dotk- I love modcloth and I do like the first dress. Though modcloth is expensive and I only buy items on sale.

I know what you mean about length and sleeves, aileth... it's hard to find nice styles with both! I did run across this comfy looking 3/4-sleeved dress on Lands' End recently; I think it's pretty and I love the pink color.

That swishy blue floral skirt sounds so pretty, Mel! Sounds like you had some good luck at the thrift stores! Maybe you can post some pictures sometime.

Anyway I hate how the average store only sells those really long jumpers(I do not like this style myself) or those crop jumpers. I do not own any high-waisted jeans(finding anything high waisted to fit me is near impossible).

Have you tried looking at the pants section over at ModCloth? Like you said, they're pricey, but you can sometimes catch them on sale. This is a pair of (out of stock) high-waisted paints, and here's a pair of high-waisted jeans, for instance.

(In other news, these culottes are so cute.)

@rose I may look into those. Speaking of mod cloth I did buy this: http://www.modcloth.com/shop/pullovers- ... ay-sweater

Yes for the 50% off price not the original price.

I also really like dresses with collars such as the following: http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/al ... d-up-dress

http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/i-can-zig-it-dress

Oh wow, I love that sweater, IlF! The raccoon is too cute. Is it sad that "That raccoon sweater would be perfect for kitchen raiding" is one of the first thoughts that popped into my head? (Raccoons are famous for getting into things in North America. They've always reminded me of little bandits. ) Those collars are really cute, too.

I can't remember if I've ever linked DownEast Basics on here or not, but if I haven't... I really should have.

This is so cute. I like how it sort of has a little bit of Grecian flair.

Love the length and the colors/stripes.

Both color combos are adorable. I really like the pleated skirt and the high/low hemline.

Are those strawberries on the green print? D'awwww. Want.

I love the smocking on the top and the sleeves.

Pretty much everything they sell is modest and relatively affordable; two things that I really appreciate!

That swishy blue floral skirt sounds so pretty, Mel! Sounds like you had some good luck at the thrift stores! Maybe you can post some pictures sometime.

Maybe I can. It's certainly easier than hunting down the brand online. If I remember right, the skirt is Christopher & Banks, but the top (also one of my favorites!) is...B something. Not one I'm familiar with.

@rose yes I think I remember a children's program with such a raccoon.

Looking at that bright yellow skirt rose linked us to, it reminds me of how I avoid bright colours now usually. Endless it is a scarf or shoes(basically an accessory).I don't know why, I guess I always find items that match wih darker colours better.

Having had no fashion sense as a kid, I too tend to go with dark colours, IlF; it's safer, and you don't have to wince when you see pictures later. While getting a bit bolder with blouses, I almost invariably go with a solid, dark skirt.

Apparently, smocking is back in, Rosie. Good thing it looks so nice. But have you ever tried doing it? Talk about hair-pullingly maddening!

I like the flare of that skirt, Melty (and the colour...and the pattern). Far better than the 100-year-old fashion of hobble skirts like this:

Mentioning fashion sense as a child of jeez. I was a young kid in the late nineties early 2000's. Those ages between 0-8 where you have little choice of what you wear. Images of tight floral shorts and leopard prints come to mind pair with an equally horrible shirt. I remember the adult fashions at the time. Those long denim skirts that I could never like if one forced me. I will try and scavenge some pictures next time I am at my parents but I am sure my sister has some on her instagram account of us.

I am equally horrified by some of the things I wore as a child. You're braver than I to even consider posting pictures, ILF. (Granted, there are a few outfits I wear now of which I dearly hope there will be no pictorial evidence later. )

Funny you should mention 100 year old fashion, aileth. It so happens that I have an antique skirt and blouse set that is now... 110 years old. In my opinion, it's gorgeous. I did a repro and skipped a few panels from the back. It was one of my favorites for years until the fabric started wearing through. I should make another one when I find a good piece of goods. (I know I have pictures of it, but the only one I can put my hands on doesn't show the similarities.)

I love that swishy blue skirt, Mel! What a great find! Actually, I love the whole ensemble. Cat included.

Looking at that bright yellow skirt rose linked us to, it reminds me of how I avoid bright colours now usually. Endless it is a scarf or shoes(basically an accessory).I don't know why, I guess I always find items that match wih darker colours better.

Lol, I often like the idea of wearing bright colors, but being something of a shrinking violet, I usually end up chickening out. I have so many clothes in shades of light gray. My subconscious seems to believe that I'm living in a black and white film. Still, I think that light grays do a good job bringing out the color in my complexion, whereas really bright colors can often make me look a bit pale. (I need a tan. )

Apparently, smocking is back in, Rosie. Good thing it looks so nice. But have you ever tried doing it? Talk about hair-pullingly maddening!

I haven't! I can imagine, though. I've never had a chance to get into sewing, but I've always wanted to try. One of these days....

I was a young kid in the late nineties early 2000's. Those ages between 0-8 where you have little choice of what you wear. Images of tight floral shorts and leopard prints come to mind pair with an equally horrible shirt.

Oh dear.

Something I like pondering about is what fashions will look like in ten or twenty years. It's easy to discern a marked difference between the fashions of the 90s, or even the early 2000s, as compared to today's popular apparel, and it makes you wonder how future fashion will look distinctly different.

Funny you should mention 100 year old fashion, aileth. It so happens that I have an antique skirt and blouse set that is now... 110 years old. In my opinion, it's gorgeous.

Oooh! That's lovely! I like your reproduction as well, and the sweater you paired with it! Really nice color combination.