Holiday Outfit (Christmas Dress & Mantilla) (retired)
Jan 29, 2009 17:44:20 GMT -5
Post by Wickfield on Jan 29, 2009 17:44:20 GMT -5
The dress - This is one of my all time favorite outfits for Josefina to wear. I got mine in 2004, so the dress fabric is the second edition, with a slightly more simple print. It really does not make much of a difference to me (except you would have to get a Nina from around the same year). The dress is cut with an Empire waist, and the sleeves puff at the shoulders. The dress falls to about ankle length to show the pantalettes. In case you're wondering, the ribbon edging does continue all the way around. This outfit combines the Regency style and the Spanish influence of New Mexico perfectly, and it looks wonderful on Josefina! A+
The mantilla - the veil itself is made of a relatively sturdy nylon tulle fabric. It doesn't pick easily, though I would still store it gingerly with all the velcro of American Girl. I tried to get a good picture of the embroidery detail - the edges of the veil are stitched with black flowers. The comb is attatched, fortunately, and is an imitation of tortoiseshell but I think it's just one color, without any spots; interestingly, a 2001 catalog described the comb as velvet, but mine was certainly not. The prongs of the comb are nearly horizontal making it very easy to slide into Josefina's hair. In my opinion, the outfit really needs the mantilla to look complete, and once you get it arranged correctly it adds a very Spanish touch. A+
The pantalettes - I LOVE THIS PIECE! IThe pantalettes are sewn in one-piece like a pair of overalls. The majority is made of cotton, and the straps are woven. The bottoms are gathered in ruffles with a ribbon stitched over the top. Though the piece velcros up the back, there are tiny buttons stitched to the front, as well as a white ribbon. This is kind of impressive detail, considering you'll probably never see the pantalettes without something over them. Again, these are a necessary piece because the dress would look too short otherwise - they are also very handy for the party dress and probably for Josefina's new fiesta dress. A+
The stockings - Not much to discuss here, really. They're made of stretchy, ribbed tights-like material - I have a pair of Samantha's Christmas tights and they are the same fabric. They go past Josefina's knees and are the same style as the socks of her shoes and socks. I actually pair these stockings with her party dress, too. For what they are, I give them an A.
The shoes - the shoes are kind of boring but they certainly don't detract from the dress. They are simple slip-ons, made of a thin but sturdy material that may be representative of leather. They fit well over the stockings. I have the velvet flats from the AGT First Day Outfit and these are very similar. A
The mantilla - the veil itself is made of a relatively sturdy nylon tulle fabric. It doesn't pick easily, though I would still store it gingerly with all the velcro of American Girl. I tried to get a good picture of the embroidery detail - the edges of the veil are stitched with black flowers. The comb is attatched, fortunately, and is an imitation of tortoiseshell but I think it's just one color, without any spots; interestingly, a 2001 catalog described the comb as velvet, but mine was certainly not. The prongs of the comb are nearly horizontal making it very easy to slide into Josefina's hair. In my opinion, the outfit really needs the mantilla to look complete, and once you get it arranged correctly it adds a very Spanish touch. A+
The pantalettes - I LOVE THIS PIECE! IThe pantalettes are sewn in one-piece like a pair of overalls. The majority is made of cotton, and the straps are woven. The bottoms are gathered in ruffles with a ribbon stitched over the top. Though the piece velcros up the back, there are tiny buttons stitched to the front, as well as a white ribbon. This is kind of impressive detail, considering you'll probably never see the pantalettes without something over them. Again, these are a necessary piece because the dress would look too short otherwise - they are also very handy for the party dress and probably for Josefina's new fiesta dress. A+
The stockings - Not much to discuss here, really. They're made of stretchy, ribbed tights-like material - I have a pair of Samantha's Christmas tights and they are the same fabric. They go past Josefina's knees and are the same style as the socks of her shoes and socks. I actually pair these stockings with her party dress, too. For what they are, I give them an A.
The shoes - the shoes are kind of boring but they certainly don't detract from the dress. They are simple slip-ons, made of a thin but sturdy material that may be representative of leather. They fit well over the stockings. I have the velvet flats from the AGT First Day Outfit and these are very similar. A