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Romantic Threads is the height of quality and luxury!
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First, let me start by saying how much I LOVE my dress from Romantic Threads. It’s beyond exquisite, and Belinda was a pleasure to work with, despite a very tight deadline on my end. I can't wait to buy another dress in the future. I fell in love with
eighteenth-century fashion when I first saw the film adaptation of Dangerous Liaisons as a teenager. Ever since, I’ve longed to have a rococo-style gown of my very own. Having started out as a devotee of Ren Faires and fantasy films and fiction in high school,
I’ve spent many an hour pining after the gorgeous gowns I’ve stumbled across online, and I remember discovering Romantic Threads some years ago in one of my numerous searches. At the time I purchased my “Marie Antoinette”-inspired gown from Belinda, I had
known for over a year that I’d be attending a masquerade at my annual professional conference, which happens to focus on the study of 18th-century literature and culture. It was the perfect excuse to buy a costume! I tried to resist the temptation to indulge,
but the exciting prospect of owning an 18th-century inspired gown was too much to overcome. The more I googled, the more I coveted Belinda’s dresses. They’ve been, by far, the most exquisite designs I’ve found, with the best variety (dozens!) of available
options. Truth be told, I should have given in to temptation much earlier: I could have requested a custom gown from Belinda for about the same price, and would have been able to accommodate my exact preferences. As it is, I kept fooling myself with aspirations
of frugality, so I was pressed for time when I finally succumbed: it was the end of February, and I needed the gown less than four weeks later. By a stroke of good fortune, I saw that Belinda had several beautiful gowns already finished, and that they could
easily be tailored to my size. It took me several days to commit to the purchase—I had never used Etsy before, and was unsure what to expect—but I’m so happy I did! The gown arrived just in time, and it couldn't have fit better. When it arrived via Fed-Ex
at my hotel room, I opened the box with giddy delight—every aspect of the gown exceeded my expectations. It’s a dazzling, Polonaise-style ensemble. In bronze brocade and champagne silk, with a voluminous bustled skirt, shimmering petticoat, and glittering
lace trim, it couldn’t have been more sumptuous. The rich brocade bodice is thick and lined, substantial while still creating a sleek and lean silhouette. The front busk closure is sturdy and functional, while nonetheless sculpting an elegant and supremely
flattering corseted shape. Although I probably would have chosen a completely different color scheme had I planned ahead, the rich, warm bronze of the jacket and overskirt works perfectly with the soft champagne of the bodice, petticoat, and trim. In the end,
I wouldn’t have changed a thing! I adore this dress. Even now, over a month after the masquerade, I still pay little visits to the spare closet where it’s stored. I would love to buy a dress form in order to display it in all its splendor! The gown fills me
with happiness every time I behold it, and I can’t help but recall the famous lines from Keats: A thing of beauty is a joy for ever: Its loveliness increases; it will never Pass into nothingness; but still will keep A bower quiet for us, and a sleep Full of
sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing. I’m already lusting after similar gowns. Belinda’s creations are sublime, with superb artisanship and attention to detail. Romantic Threads thoroughly captures the glamour of the past! I'll conclude with a final
note about the value. I've never purchased a custom-made garment before, so I was especially nervous about spending so much money for a dress that may or may not fit. In the end, it fit beautifully, but what really impressed me was the quality of the whole
ensemble, from the gorgeous fabrics to the impeccable skill required to produce such a gorgeous set. It truly looks like a museum piece, preserved from the wardrobe of some eighteenth-century aristocrat. This dress is the very definition of luxury, and at
prices far more appealing than I happened to find elsewhere. Thank you, Belinda!
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