Hey Siri, play Black and Gold by Sam Sparro…

Dress: Black & Gold Eyelet Border Cora dress gifted by Unique Vintage (A/L) 
Cape: Off the Capulet Coat set by Hell Bunny*
Belt: Off another dress
Bag: Old JustFab
Tights: Snag Tights
Boots: Black Tatiana boots by Lulu Hun*

Border prints used to be one of my favourite parts of vintage inspired fashion, but over time my tastes have changed and some of the border prints I used to love no longer speak to me. As such, it’s been a while since a border print has really caught my attention. I’ve found lately that it’s intricate patterns and textures that have best sparked my interested, rather than prints, so when I saw this gold embroidered eyelet trimmed dress by Unique Vintage I was instantly captured. What do you expect me to do with such casual luxury, if not swoon?! The fact that it’s bordering one of my all-time favourite of UV’s dress shapes just made me more obsessed. Paint me in black and gold, I’m ascending!

The Cora dress is, as far as I’m concerned, a perfectly balanced beauty. The high pussybow neckline makes it daytime appropriate for work and other such modest environs, but the subtle puff at the top of the shoulder does a brilliant job of squaring off the silhouette for those who usually find high necklines unflattering (ie, me.) The bodice is darted for a lovely fit, while the gathered yoke adds additional visual texture on either side of the tied neckline. The button placket runs all the way through the centre of the dress, sporting functional buttons all the way down, removing the need for a zipper. 

The gathered skirt means there’s plenty of room for a voluminous petticoat, should you wish to wear one to, yes, of course, show off the truly gorgeous metallic gold eyelet embroidered scallop hem that turns this dress into a show stopper. I have a grey tartan Cora dress from a couple years past that is one of my most-worn dresses (outside of summer, that is, because tartan,) and I am so excited to add this luxe Cora dress to the rotation, especially since it will stun on a whole other level in the moody, colder months we have now entered. 

Look, basically it’s perfect and I’m in love. Give me and my new life-partner some time alone, please. 

Wait, shit! I almost forgot to say–it has pockets! I was distracted by my love for the gold embroidery, but never can it go unmentioned when a dress has pockets. POCKETS. Pockets! Okay, you get it. 

I asked for this dress in my usual Unique Vintage 2X. It’s true to the size chart, made from 100% cotton, so the measurements hold firm with no stretch at 42 inches flat at the waist and 49 inches through the bust. The skirt is 28.5 inches long at the deepest points of the scalloped hem. 

The Cora Dress (A/L) comes in sizes XS-5X and in 5 prints–this black colourway with the gold embroidery border, a red tartan, a black and white stripe overlaid with pink roses, a blue gingerbread print for the holidays, and a Beetlejuice print Halloween version. Unique Vintage ship worldwide and also have a customer loyalty program that earns you money off future purchases.

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Disclaimer: The dress featured in this review was gifted to me by Unique Vintage in exchange for an honest review. Items marked with an asterix* are items I bought myself from companies that have previously gifted me other items for review. All opinions expressed are truthful and my own, with no input from any of the companies listed or any other individuals. Items marked with (A/L) are Affiliate links that would earn me a small commission from your order if used.

COVID-19 NOTE: These pictures were taken alone and safely in a secluded outdoors area with no other individuals present, thus practising strict social distancing measures in an effort to help reduce the spread of Covid-19.