I told you when I traveled, I was going to pack/wear only handmade, as much as possible.
Well, I’m off!
I had to start off in pink, in homage to my TWA Lady of Vintage Suitcases. First off, though: trains, not planes (this time, anyway.) Secondly, my life is woefully lacking in pink suitcases. (I’d remedy that in a heartbeat, if I could.) Also, this real-life contemporary lady doesn’t go anywhere without coffee.
For my first day on the road I chose a dress I made a few years ago. It’s a nice, soft micro-suede, and I obviously put some amount of attention into it, making it–those collars! Those button loops! But for some reason it hung in my closet, unworn, for so long that I’ve forgotten when I made it, or why.
It even had a nice hand-stitched hem, which I think I’d remember laboring over, but somehow I’ve completely forgotten its circumstances altogether.
So a couple of weeks ago, thinking about this project, and making vs. buying and all the things I’ve made before, I got it out and tried it on. The only problem with it was that it was too long, and looked a little frumpy. So I trimmed about 3″ off the bottom, and now I can hardly believe it spent so much time in the closet, unloved.
The necklace was a gift from Santa a few years ago, it’s handmade, too (although not by me) out of vintage plastic buttons. I’ve not been able to track down the name of its maker, so if anyone recognizes the style, I’d love to know. I wear it a lot, because it goes with everything and I get a lot of compliments on it.
One day of suitcase fashions down, and three to go!
handmademess 
It’s amazing how much a simple alteration (such as shortening a hem) can turn a forgettable garment into an amazing one. I love your dress (or is it now a tunic?).