The thing I love most about border print pieces of clothing is that the prints feel like artwork in a way most other fabric designs don’t. Whether the design features the architecture of a far away city’s famously beloved skyline or a scene of an anonymous corner cafe on a spring day, they tell a story as they wrap around your body. And never has that been more true than of Trashy Diva’s recently released Carnival border print collection.
It was only earlier this year that I finally acquired my first Trashy Diva pieces, but in doing so they swiftly became one of my favourite vintage inspired brands. I only own 3 of their dresses so far, but literally every time I wear them they receive compliments. The designs are always so beautiful, with even their plain coloured pieces featuring eye-catching design details that set them apart. With the new Venice Nights line released this week, there’s no plain pieces in sight, only gorgeous, vibrant styles sporting a fun 40s-inspired novelty print, the likes of which Trashy Diva are renowned for producing.
Gondolas, bridges, and Venetian buildings all make an appearance in this print set against a rich blue background. The collection features 5 dress styles, 1 blouse and 1 skirt, so there’s plenty of style variety to choose from. I was sent the Circle Day Dress, a beloved older style that Trashy Diva are excited to be bringing back. After strolling and twirling in this piece at sunset, I can see why.
Okay, it’s official. I have a thing for Trashy Diva. My wishlist has become suddenly and alarmingly full, but can you blame me? With their chambray, their gingham, their seersucker, oh my! What’s a girl supposed to do, really, other than develop the urge to put everything into her cart?
So many of their pieces have a lovely southern flare, evoking hot, lazy summer days spent sipping lemonade and sheltering in the shade, even for those of us who only know of these things from books and movies and daydreams. After recently buying and loving their Seersucker Apple Tart dress, I was itching to choose my next purchase. Enter the dress of my chambray dreams, Trixie.
I am typically all about big skirts, cinched waists and a glamorous 50s brush out, but occasionally I think it’s good for us all to try something different. When it comes to your style, stepping out of your comfort zone every once in a while can help you find new things you didn’t realise you might like, add disparate elements into your ensembles and generally shake things up a bit. Sometimes it can even give you an entirely new appreciation for your body or a previously overlooked aspect of it. Trashy Diva offered to send me their Jolene wrap dress from their new Deco Daffodil line, a dress more 40s than my usual 50s fare, so I happily took it as an opportunity to embrace a style I usually overlook.
I’ve pined over many a Trashy Diva piece for a long time. Their price ranges are a little higher than my typical repro purchases from brands like Pinup Girl Clothing and Unique Vintage, so ideally I’ve always hoped to try one on before I took the cash-thrashing plunge. I’ve never been able to find any of the pieces I’ve wanted stocked in the UK, though, so I just tried my best not to expose myself to TD too frequently to lessen those keenly sad unrequited feels.
But, you know, I turn 30 this year, and I enjoy any excuse to spoil myself, so when I made some extra dough recently from selling pieces from my wardrobe that were going unworn, I decided to treat myself to my first Trashy Diva piece. I umm‘d and ahh‘d over which direction to go–dress or skirt? Chambray or gingham? Oh, or seersucker? Eventually, I settled on the first ever TD piece I had fallen in love with: the Apple Tart dress.
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Miss Amy May 