Goodwill winter coat

Remake: Polka Dot Peplum Dress

I received this lovely polka-dotted number from reader Cathy in NC.

The polka dot dress is one that I've kept for a while, although it is very dated with the padded shoulders, peplum skirt, print, etc.  I really loved wearing it to church, weddings, etc.  It was always fun so I know you'll do something very fun with it.  A hat was always a great accompaniment for this dress.  Take care and keep posting!

She sent it my way to allow me to work out some upcycling magic on it!

New Dress A Day - vintage polka dot dressl - thrift store shopping

There were three tiered layers as the skirt.  The top one that felt super peplum-y to me...

New Dress A Day - vintage polka dot dressl - thrift store shopping

...and the bottom two that went down below my knees.

New Dress A Day - vintage polka dot dressl - thrift store shopping

I was still trying to figure out what I was going to do with the bottom, but I knew right away what I was going to do up top!!

I started off by trimming the shoulders from the neckline all the way to the end of the sleeve.

New Dress A Day - vintage polka dot dressl - thrift store shopping

I did this to both sides and ended up with a fully open top portion.

New Dress A Day - vintage polka dot dressl - thrift store shopping

Next, I folded under the fabric in the front and the back to create a strapless piece.  I measured and pinned this area to prep for sewing it in place.

New Dress A Day - vintage polka dot dressl - thrift store shopping

The machine came out and the top of the dress was sewed.

New Dress A Day - vintage polka dot dressl - thrift store shopping

I needed to take in the bust of the dress a bit because it was too large to stay up on me.  I put the piece on and pinned the areas that needed to be adjusted on each side.

New Dress A Day - vintage polka dot dress - thrift store shopping

I wanted the skirt portion to be more of a pencil style, coming in a little tighter at the knees, so I decided to take this area in.  I added pins on the third layer (at the bottom of the dress), cutting in closer and closer towards the hem to make narrower.

New Dress A Day - vintage polka dot dress - thrift store shopping

Post-pin, I stitched my skirt and took in the bodice area...

http://bit.ly/Iv49YG

...before completing the look with a little cinching and pinching at the bust with a safety pin.  The final look...

New Dress A Day - vintage polka dot dress - thrift store shopping

This style dress has to be my favorite.  I love an exposed neckline!!

New Dress A Day - vintage polka dot dress - Beefsteak

I had a cocktail attire party to attend, so I grabbed my vintage red coat with velvet trim...

New Dress A Day - vintage polka dot dress - thrift store shopping

...and headed out for the night with a bunch of pals.  The cocktail/meat party (it was literally just that - platters of meat and veggies that had to be eaten sans utensils) was held at the stunning Vibiana in downtown LA.

New Dress A Day - vintage polka dot dress - Beefsteak

We grabbed a block of seats at the table to accomodate everyone and CS (aka Katniss Everdeen's braid sister) and I took a pre-gorging photo...

New Dress A Day - vintage polka dot dress - thrift store shopping

...before we got down with the meat when the platters hit the table.

New Dress A Day - vintage polka dot dress - Beefsteak

I couldn't help taking tons of pics at the photobooth.  It was sponsored by Ultimat Vodka, so the props made me feel like I was a legit bartender.

New Dress A Day - vintage polka dot dress - Beefsteak

I couldn't stop faux muddling drinks even after the photog stopped flashing!

New Dress A Day - vintage polka dot dress - stilts

There were snakecharmers, magicians, and AWESOME LADIES ON STILTS.  No joke, this woman was fierce.

New Dress A Day - vintage polka dot dress - stilts

Her costume was pretty insane too.  (I was totally coveting those striped pantalons!)

New Dress A Day - vintage polka dot dress - Beefsteak

The gorgeous CS's DIY heels were TDF (to die for)!!  (She made them using a fab tutorial from the Honestly WTF gals).  She went with the tassels...

New Dress A Day - vintage polka dot dress - Beefsteak

and I rocked the bows...

New Dress A Day - vintage polka dot dress - thrift store shopping

After a night of eating and dancing to this lovely band...

New Dress A Day - vintage polka dot dress - Beefsteak

...it was couch time.

New Dress A Day - vintage polka dot dress

And then it was hot dog time.

New Dress A Day - vintage polka dot dress - hot dog

Perfect way to end the evening in my new favorite dress.  Thank you so much for sending this my way, Cathy!  It's my new go-to cocktail dress!!