I received this dress a little while back and have finally taken the project on. I didn't want to disappoint Maggie. Listen to her love of the piece...
I bought this dress two years ago to wear to Shrek on Broadway. The dress never looked great, but did I LOVE the fabric! I've since lost 20 pounds and revisited my closet...only to find this dress. I love, love, love your website and fashion sense - please use this awesome fabric anyway you see fit. I'm sure you'll enjoy it! MEK
I love me some pinstripes, but the dress was a bit off on me...
I have just the idea to keep this piece going, all while pulling in one trend that joined us last season and that hasn't gone anywhere yet. Peplum!
I started off by cutting the bottom of the dress off!! I trimmed off about a foot of fabric...
...and then pinned the bottom of my new top to prepare to sew a new hem!
I matched the cornflower blue thread to the stripes and sewed the bottom of my new top!!
The top of the dress didn't give enough shape and usually stripes give dimension, but on this piece it was a little lacking. Some were vertical and others were diagonal, but ultimately I felt that there was a lack of dimension. To fix this problem and to give a little volume, I pinched and cinched!!
I pinched about three inches of fabric at the bust...
...and pinned it together using a safety pin!
Also, to really give off the fitted top/loose bottom, I took a skinny, brown belt from J Crew and wore it at my waist. Paired with a vintage scarf, vintage clutch, and some Calvin Klein slingbacks from TJ Maxx, my outfit was complete!!
I think I need a new pair of jeans though...that heel just cut through the bottom of that denim leg. Big. Hole. Whoopsie!
It has a cute, pin up-y feel now, with the peplum-esque bottom, but could also be paired with a stellar pencil skirt to totally change the vibe.
Maggie, the fabric is fun and fabulous!! Thanks so much for cleaning out your closet :) I totally reaped some excellent benefits from your organizing!!
