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Original poster

I am obsessed with this dress, have been for years, I will never afford it - please help me find something like it I can...

132 replies

user23124 · 05/01/2025 15:13

https://pauw.com/en/products/a-lijn-jurk-11201301199a700
I have been obsessed with this dress since I saw a woman in the navy version at an event years ago. I accept I will never have the ££ for it. Is there anything I can do to get a dress like this but under £250?

You are all so talented at finding things! Thanks for any help :)

Silk blend dress

Jurk van Pauw in een zijde mix. Deze iconische stijl is ontworpen in een flatteuze A-lijn en heeft een hoge V-hals en driekwart mouwen. De losse ceintuur in dezelfde stof  kun je op elke gewenste manier om de taille knopen of strikken.

https://pauw.com/en/products/a-lijn-jurk-11201301199a700

OP posts:
Thread gallery
14
artohmyletmehelp · 07/01/2025 11:08

SallySesame · 06/01/2025 11:52

SOME BODY LAUNDERED THAT ALL WRONG- RUINED.

artohmyletmehelp · 07/01/2025 11:22

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 06/01/2025 12:31

All labels on Pauw have the words "copyright protected". In practice might not do much although if you took an item to be copied it might give the dressmaker pause.

I agree that claiming to be a green and ethical purchaser but thinking copying clothes is ok is a bit of a contradiction.

I've twice sent details of rip off brands I've seen posted on here to the real brands. One was Alémais, can't remember what the other was, but both replied and said they would follow it up. I've also reported a site similar to the site linked and which has been deleted which was a fake site purporting to sell Casey Casey at knock off prices.

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Yes it's an important distinction to be aware of and that you do have options as a consumer. A while ago an evening dress went walkabout from my wardrobe. A Mathew Williams dress, when it reappeared there it was labelled a monsoon! Ridiculous.

Many young designers offer a kind of accessible licencing for their designs by selling patterns for a range of their work. They do all mention however that it is purely for private use rather than commercial production. Good for them.

artohmyletmehelp · 07/01/2025 11:35

321user123 · 06/01/2025 21:30

Definitely have it made!
have a look on insta for dressmakers/taylors.

I would find a large fabric depot type thing nearest you (unless you live in London, Birmingham, Manchester, etc you may have to travel a little) - again will need to check on places like Reddit or google for famous fabric places known for wide selection and good prices.
Don’t order online as fabric will be massively overpriced.

The dress is lovely btw! - the price not so much! 😆

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All designer fabric is usually off market until the following season. You could probably buy something similar but not an exact match.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 07/01/2025 11:42

Have you looked at eShakti, @user23124? They have loads of dresses on there, and you can customise them - so if there is one that is similar to what you want, you can alter the length, neckline and sleeves to make it closer.

You can either order a stock size, or you can give them all your measurements, and the dress is made to fit. It's an American site, but the work is done in India, I think.

I ordered a dress from there for ds1's wedding, and it was perfect - and fitted beautifully. It does take a few weeks for the dress to be made and delivered, but I thought it was worth the wait. And their prices are pretty reasonable too - around the £100 mark, if I recall correctly.

Or you could see if you can find a local dressmaker/seamstress, and show them the image - I'm sure they could make something for you.

artohmyletmehelp · 07/01/2025 14:53

artohmyletmehelp · 05/01/2025 22:31

Yes it is, which is why it's used so much in the outdoor industry.

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To bust another myth cotton, is not breathable, it is absorbent but then holds on to the sweat for much longer than modern wicking fabrics...

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 07/01/2025 17:12

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 07/01/2025 00:04

I’m so pleased that IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle saved a photo of the dress I bought from boohoo for about £30! I think it was post Covid that I bought it.

Good luck on your dress search OP.

The Boohoo dress is the only one of the looks similar dresses posted (actually most nothing like it) which has the same volume on the skirt as the Pauw and Elizabeth Murdoch dresses without the skirt being gathered on to the waist band. It's easy enough to achieve volume with a gathered skirt, more difficult where skirt is not gathered.

artohmyletmehelp · 08/01/2025 07:37

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 07/01/2025 17:12

The Boohoo dress is the only one of the looks similar dresses posted (actually most nothing like it) which has the same volume on the skirt as the Pauw and Elizabeth Murdoch dresses without the skirt being gathered on to the waist band. It's easy enough to achieve volume with a gathered skirt, more difficult where skirt is not gathered.

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Canny cut and pleat required and under structure/interlining to stiffen.

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