Little Dresses: Fighting poverty one stitch at a time - Minneapolis Star Tribune |
- Little Dresses: Fighting poverty one stitch at a time - Minneapolis Star Tribune
- Two-Tone Dresses Are Spring's Latest Big Trend - Who What Wear
- Women are putting on their old wedding dresses at home to cheer themselves up in coronavirus lockdown - Yahoo Sports
- Anthropologie is having a huge sale on dresses — but hurry, it's only for a limited time - Yahoo Style
| Little Dresses: Fighting poverty one stitch at a time - Minneapolis Star Tribune Posted: 29 Mar 2020 10:06 PM PDT  MANKATO, Minn. — The 120 handmade children's shorts and dresses of all sizes and colors were neatly folded, sorted and ready for pickup in boxes at Mary Warner's basement on a late February morning. By late March, those dresses and shorts will re-emerge 5,000 miles away in the West African country of Sierra Leone. "Since we started in 2011, we have shipped close to 14,000 dresses and shorts to 27 different countries," said Warner, who manages the nonprofit organization Little Dresses of New Ulm. Those countries include some of the world's poorest, from Haiti to Zambia and Honduras to Liberia. In Sierra Leone — where 60% of the population earns about $1.25 a day, according to the United Nations — a handmade dress is a luxury most can't afford. Warner first learned about the national organization Dresses for Africa from a Sleepy Eye woman who overheard a conversation about the nonprofit at a local thrift store in 2010 and was intrigued. "One of the sewing ladies from Sleepy Eye showed me how to make my first dress," Warner told the Mankato Free Press. "The first few didn't turn out so good, but the more you make, the better you get." She met with Kathy Austinson, director for senior programming of Community and Seniors Together — an organization that provides social opportunities for seniors in New Ulm — who connected Warner with volunteers who get just as much satisfaction from volunteering as the kids who receive the outfits. In 2011, Warner and a couple of other volunteers sent in their first and only shipment to Little Dresses for Africa's warehouse in Michigan but never found out where the dresses went and who was wearing them. "We decided to go and do our own thing based off of what they do," Warner said. She first needed more fabric for the dresses, which comes from thrift stores and garage sales. When she reached out to fabric companies in New Jersey and California, they responded by collectively sending her 1,200 pounds of remnant fabric. "They came in the biggest boxes you've ever seen," she said. The next step was reaching out to volunteer organizations that were doing charity work in developing countries to see if they had room to bring dresses with them. Charity organizations such as Smile International and World Riders Foundation have brought her dresses abroad, and Ann Carlson, a volunteer with the United Methodist Church in Minnesota, will bring the Sierra Leone-bound dresses with her as part of an ongoing project to outfit a school there. "Every single shipment has a story," Warner said. "Many of them are written down. We've been keeping a scrapbook ever since we started with the stories on how the shipment goes, what the people say, and the notes we get back from the people going." Warner has sewn 1,800 dresses herself and works with 36 women — mostly in New Ulm but also in Mankato and Marshall — who sew dresses and shorts made from recycled and donated materials. Warner's sister, Kate Laway, of Burnsville, manages a group of women in the Twin Cities area. "It has grown and served so many women in this community," Austinson said. "That's what we're all about — supporting people who are aging in New Ulm. It gives them an outreach, and their ministry from the heart is made so much easier because of Mary's organizational skills." To make it easier for the volunteers, Warner makes sewing kits that contain everything needed to make a dress or pair of shorts. "The ladies who do the actual sewing can pick one of these up, take it to their house and sew on their own machine," Warner said. A few years ago, volunteer Marilyn Streit, a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in North Mankato, saw some of Warner's dresses on display during a convention at the Roman Catholic Diocese of New Ulm. Knowing Warner was looking for materials, she donated 70 yards of fabric that belonged to her mother. Streit and fellow church member Barb Wegscheid drove to New Ulm to see Warner's operation firsthand, and before long, they were sewing dresses themselves. "I think it's wonderful to help, and there's so much need out there," Wegscheid said. "When I found out you could make those cute little dresses, it makes you feel good to know they've been used." The two typically pick up about 35 dress kits at a time to bring back to Mankato. When Streit posted about the organization's need for fabric on the church bulletin, more than a half-dozen other women responded with not just donations but the willingness to lend their time and talents to sew the dresses. "I had one gal do 50 over a summer," Streit said. "It's probably been 300-350 altogether. Once they're done, three or four of us take them back over to Mary. She's such an inspirational person. She's so enthusiastic and the gals are always impressed with her setup. Then we go out to eat and make a day of it." Warner said she never thought the project would take off like it did and has no plans to stop. She said she'll continue to sew dresses for children across the world as long as they can, with the help of volunteers who have become good friends. "I've met hundreds of wonderful sewing ladies. They're all talented and willing to help somebody else have a better life," Warner said. "That's basically what we're all about. The pictures that we get from our travelers and the smiles on the faces of those little girls wearing our dresses is what motivates me to keep going and help others. It all comes from the heart."  |
| Two-Tone Dresses Are Spring's Latest Big Trend - Who What Wear Posted: 29 Mar 2020 09:00 PM PDT  My typical online shopping experience tends to look a little like the following: find a specific item I like, cycle through every color option it comes in, proceed to add every color or print option to my cart, then let them sit in my cart for a good few hours while I try to narrow them down to one. I like options, and being forced to make a singular decision is not one of my strong suits. All of which probably explains why I'm such a big fan of the two-tone trend. It's fresh, it's Princess Diana–approved, and it's an easy solve for anyone who experiences as much indecisiveness as I do. Why settle for one color when you can have two? The split-tone color-blocking has been a fashion week favorite the last few seasons thanks to the likes of Celine's popular mismatched sandals and the handful of contrasting half-and-half designs that followed. But this season's two-tone hero is clearly spring dresses. Between a classic pink-and-red pairing to more unexpected options like a green-and-black gown, the 16 bicolored dresses ahead are pure relief for anyone who has a hard time picking sides.  |
| Posted: 29 Mar 2020 08:41 AM PDT   People have been spending a lot more time at home of late, thanks to the coronavirus lockdown. For some women, that has meant a surprise opportunity to unearth their old wedding dresses - and try them on - in an effort to cheer themselves up while social distancing. The trend started with a mum, author Curtis Sittenfeld, on Twitter who revealed she had dug out her bridal gown at the request of her children. Captioning a photo of her wearing the special outfit - complete with veil - while sipping an espresso, she wrote: "Social distancing Day 12: Today my kids wanted me to wear my wedding dress at lunch and I couldn't think of a reason not to."
Latest coronavirus news, updates and advice Live: Follow all the latest updates from the UK and around the world Fact-checker: The number of Covid-19 cases in your local area Explained: Symptoms, latest advice and how it compares to the flu Her post has received more than 241,000 'likes' and 18,000 shares. Journalist Bryony Gordon wrote: "OMG I love you." Another follower commented: "Maybe we should do a wear your wedding dress to work Wednesdays!" A third shared: "You look beautiful." Read more: Couple forced to postpone wedding due to coronavirus host own ceremony using 115 chocolate bunnies It prompted dozens of other women to slip back on their former wedding dresses too - and share the pictures online. One revealed she had found her mum's one in her basement, and shared a pictured of her modelling the lacy gown with a veil. Another showed off a white number she had made for her big day back in 2006. A third tried on the outfit she wore to marry her husband 42 years ago - and revealed her surprise that the ensemble still fitted.
And a fourth person replied to the thread with a snap of her sister wearing their grandmother's silky dress from 1949. It comes as a bride and groom donated their hog roast to over 400 NHS staff after their wedding reception was cancelled. Fiona and Adam Gordon, from Hull, tied the knot last weekend - but their celebrations had to be called off due to the pandemic. The couple decided to allow the catering company they were using for their big day, Galloping Gourmet, to donate the food, via charity Hull4Heroes, to workers at two hospitals over two days. They had originally planned to have a big celebration after their church service - which they decided to still have with just two witnesses present - but their venue pulled out at the last-minute. Fiona, 31, who had been planning her big day with partner HGV driver Adam, 30, for over a year said the food would have gone to "waste". Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK Lifestyle |
| Posted: 29 Mar 2020 06:09 PM PDT Looking for more of the best deals, latest celebrity news and hottest trends? Sign up for Yahoo Lifestyle Canada's newsletter. Anthropologie is having a huge sale on spring-ready dresses right now. Yahoo Lifestyle Canada is committed to finding you the best products at the best prices. We may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Pricing and availability are subject to change. If the warmer weather has you dreaming of flowing dresses (or standout minis), Anthropologie's latest sale is meant for you. The dreamy, boho-chic retailer is currently having 40 per cent off of all of their dresses — but only for a limited time. Right now most of us are bundled up in loungewear, but if you're looking for warm weather inspiration, this is the perfect time to pick up some gorgeous pieces for spring and summer. From whimsical maxi dresses to chic tunics, there's something for everyone to love in this sale and we've rounded up ten of our top picks below! Image via Anthropologie Eye-catching florals and a sweeping silhouette make this boho-inspired dress a dreamy essential. SHOP IT: Anthropologie, $119 (originally $198) Image via Anthropologie Crafted from light-as-air linen, this breezy tunic is an essential for days spent in the sun. SHOP IT: Anthropologie, $130 (originally $218) Image via Anthropologie Delightfully dreamy, this sweeping, boho-inspired maxi features beaded embellishments and a medley of abstract motifs. SHOP IT: Anthropologie, $137 (originally $228) Image via Anthropologie A shimmery jacquard finish lends a dash of drama to this easy-to-style tunic. SHOP IT: Anthropologie, $96 (originally $128) Image via Anthropologie Comfortable, sweet and refined, this colour blocked dress is an easygoing complement to kitten heels, flats, or your favourite ankle boots. SHOP IT: Anthropologie, $104 (originally $148) Image via Anthropologie Embroidered florals bloom across this midi dress for an enchanting, occasion-ready finish. SHOP IT: Anthropologie, $155 (originally $258) Image via Anthropologie Vintage-inspired and fashion-forward at once, this split-print midi dress brings charm and whimsy to your wardrobe. SHOP IT: Anthropologie, $110 (originally $158) Image via Anthropologie Flowy, feminine, and oh-so-sweet, this peasant-inspired midi dress is sure to earn you compliments. SHOP IT: Anthropologie, $107 (originally $178) Image via Anthropologie Glimmering metallic accents lend this tiered midi dress a dazzling and sophisticated finish. SHOP IT: Anthropologie, $126 (originally $168) Image via Anthropologie Soiree-ready and sweet, this luxe silk maxi dress features puffed sleeves and an enchanting floral finish. SHOP IT: Anthropologie, $143 (originally $238) Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram and sign up for our newsletter.  |
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