Vintage Addiction creates marvellous made-to-measure vintage reproduction dresses right here in New Zealand, and I am delighted to be sharing one of their designs with you today.

I am someone who has to alter the majority of clothing I buy, especially as I purchase so much of my vintage and repro online and don’t have the benefit of trying things on. So it’s a wonderful thing to see so many stores like Vintage Addiction popping up who will custom-make exactly to your measurements. Ordering custom pieces online is generally risk free (as long as you don’t make a typo when you place your order!), however Vintage Addiction is especially unique in that they even have a bricks and mortar store where their team can measure you, you can choose your style and fabric, and then try the finished product in person.

I met up with Suzanne, the owner of Vintage Addiction, in store at the end of last year so that she could take my measurements. She also has a lovely style of dress in a V-neck design, but we both decided that the boat neck style would suit me better. Suzanne then suggested this beautiful fabric, which is the same print as Nigella’s dress in the Whittaker’s chocolate ads.

When Suzanne called me back in for a fitting I was instantly drooling over this fabulous dress! Being made to measure it is a perfect fit, and my ideal length as I let Suzanne know that I preferred to wear things a little longer. The boat-neckline is a favourite of mine and so flattering, always reminding me of the classic style that Audrey Hepburn favoured. There is a wide panel at the waist and then the skirt poofs out in big pleats, with plenty of room for a fluffy petticoat. The fabric is a luxurious cotton sateen which looks glamourous day or night and washes and wears really well too. I also chose a sleeve length that finishes just above the elbow as I find that a really good all-year-round design, especially in the often frosty work air-con.

And can we just take a moment to admire this print?! It is unlike anything in my wardrobe and I am so in love with it. It features luscious blossoms in darker shades of pink with yellow in their centres surrounded by dark green leaves on a crisp white background. There are also the cutest little blue birds sprinkled throughout the print, which is such a sweet detail! I chose to bring this colour out with my blue gloves, and matched my necklace and heels to the pink flowers. With the style and colours of the dress I can easily envisage wearing it with darker colours through autumn and winter.

Vintage Addiction pieces start at around $250NZD, depending on whether you would like to buy off the rack or custom-made. There is also a huge range of coats, jewellery, petticoats, and accessories in store, and even some true vintage apparel! You can order via PM on their Facebook page or visit them at 354 Onehunga Mall in Auckland. They also offer international shipping and will cater for any measurements. Suzanne and her team will be happy to help you out with all your vintage styling needs!

Full outfit details:

Dress – c/o Vintage Addiction

Necklace – eBay

Gloves – vintage

Heels – BAIT Footwear

Thank you so much to Suzanne and her team at Vintage Addiction for this amazing custom dress and collaboration! And of course thank you to @cmjsnz for these pictures that turned out just how I imagined them in my head, taken in front of this gorgeous bougainvillea outside the Ridgeview apartments in Birkenhead.

Miss Hero Holliday

xo