Est. 2010
An Anthropologie-Inspired Refashion: From White Dress to Clay Top
As any salesperson at my local Anthropologie could probably tell you, I visit frequently, but never actually buy anything. Anthropologie stores are just so….freaking pretty.
Their clothes are what an aspirational version of me would wear every day. While there, I imagine myself as this fictitious wildly wealthy me who thinks nothing about dropping $60+ on a shirt. A single shirt.
Needless to say, that is not me. While Parallel Dimension Jillian enjoys her Anthro shopping sprees, I’m relegated to the unloved & unwanted castoffs at my decidedly less well-merchandised local thrift stores.
Before you start worrying that we’re trapped in some consumerist version of Jordan Peele’s US (wherein I am the sad jumpsuited doppelganger that’s about to knock off Rich Jillian with my sewing shears), relax. I love thrifting & upcycling, and hate spending $$$ on clothes that could go to better use (like wine!).
Which brings us to this $1 thrifted dress:
This appears to be some sort of dowdy Easter dress, but it has a lot going for it (more on that in just a sec).
However, it has a few problems. Most of which are these awkwardly-placed flowers all over the top of the dress and at the bottom of the sleeves. But I’m also not a fan of the stark whiteness of it, as this lack of color doesn’t do much for its really nice embroidery and shoulder details or my pallid skin.
Boob flowers and whiteness aside, there’s a lot to like. The fabric is light and comfy and that cool cut-out embroidery and shoulder netting are pretty awesome. Those blouson sleeves are on-trend right now as well!
Time to get to work!
First, I went to town removing all of those flowers.
Now that the deflowering was complete (WHAT???!!!), I went to my refash stash and grabbed these:
I decided to employ a little dye mixology here, as I knew I wanted a nice clay hue for my final product.
Now, since buying my now not-so-new house, I’ve had one major bane of contention. I DON’T HAVE A TOP LOADING WASHING MACHINE. Instead, the previous owner purchased a nice energy-efficient front loader which is great for such pedestrian things as say, laundry, but USELESS for dying clothes as it doesn’t fill with enough water and it doesn’t have an agitator. :'(
#FIRSTWORLDPROBLEMS
That means that until it breaks and I replace it with a top loader, I’m stuck dyeing everything in a big stockpot in my huge kitchen sink.
After 30 minutes in its bath, I transferred the dress to my washing machine for a good rinse. I just let it run through the delicate cycle sans detergent.
After drying it, I saw there were a lot of uneven spots towards the bottom of the dress.
This was no big deal, as I was planning on turning this dress into a top anyways!
You can see where I was able to make my cut riiiight above an uneven spot.
I then pinned the bottom for a small hem.
After my new top was pressed, I was ready to head out with Mr. Refashionista for a tasty Restaurant Week dinner at Black Rooster!
I styled my new top with dark high-waisted jeans, woven flat mules, a favorite vintage leather handbag, and this sweet necklace:
Necklace Story: Back in May, Brian and I traveled with friends to visit Ischia (an island off the coast of Naples, Italy). Yes, it was amazing. While walking along the beach, we discovered all of these tile shards that had washed up on the beach whose edges had been worn down over time. We brought some of them home with us (I put mine in my houseplant pots). Our friend Aaron turned his shards into charms and wove each one of us a necklace to commemorate our wonderful adventure. 🙂 Yes, I have amazing friends.
I think my top looks even nicer than this $68 Anthropologie one:
We had a scrumptious meal consisting of lobster pot pie, pork schnitzel with duck egg (for him), rabbit cannelloni (for me), and an espresso martini for dessert.
Who says only Rich Parallel Dimension Jillian can have nice things?
Not me!
Cheers!
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118 Comments
Aliris Escobar Reyes
OMG! she is back! and there is a Mr. Refashionista! and a new house! How did I miss that? Is like getting in touch with a dear cousing. Congrats!!! I love this!
Seana
You did a wonderful job. And yes — way more interesting than the anthro top.
Mireille
So glad you’re back! Not only have you inspired me to some (modest) refashions myself, but I’ve also become a huge fan of Rit dye, thanks to you. In Holland, where I live, there’s only one store that sells Rit dye (Holland’s not that big, so it’s a 3 hour-drive maximum, and there’s always internet…). But back to you: what a great refashion, Anthropologie eat your heart out! Hope to see more of your wonderful refashions, and in the mean time I’m alerting mij creative friends here that you’re back!
Sarah P Chambers
Awesome and inspiring!
Lulu Ladybug
I love it! The color is perfect.
I’m glad you’re back.
Any tips on dying? I can never get an even color.
Catherine
You both are so adorable the food looks yummy and the top is fabulous.
Catherine
Joey Chen
Love, love, love!
Parker
So talented and inspirational and adorable! Thank you for the great ideas : )
Susan Boop
I love this, adorable, color and fit are perfect!! Yes it’s cuter than the Anthropology!
Michelle
I really love seeing your transformations, I’m so glad you’re back! You and Brian look very happy together.
Wilmoo
Girl, you still got it LOVE IT!
LoriO
It’s so nice to have you back! Although I don’t have much time to sew anymore, I’ve missed you and sure do love to see your transformations! I love your finds! Going to retail stores gives me hives. lol
Judy
I have been dyeing things for years and enjoy seeing how your mixed colors turn out. It looks like you made the shirt to match your necklace. They look great together.
Trish
Question; are you planning on using the bottom part for a future project? Wouldn’t you have saved dye to cut it first then dye what you wanted for your new top? Wondering why you dyed the whole dress.
Jess
Looks legit expensive and on trend. The color is perfection. Nicely done.
Helga
love it!
Lisa
It’s a great improvement. I love the term ‘Mr Refashonista’ for your husband!
Yvette
I love it glad I found u again
Sydney Charnley
CLEVERCUTE!!!
Love your innoative & inspiring ideas. Fearless!
Kris
One of my new faves!! I guess I’m going to goodwill tomorrow. Love it. The color turned out amazing. Also, you two are so cute!
Barbara
The “cold shoulder” without the Cold! ! Love it
Becky
I love what you have done!
Elizabeth Moran
Nice! That colour came out perfectly for your skin tone. I love your writing style, btw. Very fun!
Lígia Leite
Really nice!
Yona Bello
Amazing upcycle! Definitely prettier than the Anthro top.
Liana Gardner
As always, you inspire! I LOVE your posts!!!
Jennifer Neal
Love it! Wish I was as creative as you are
Mhairi
SO excited you are back! I have used Rit in a front loader, do you find it doesn’t work as well? The ones I did came out ok but they were cotton! Maybe each fabric is different? Anyway, it turned out awesome and I’m so excited to see all your refashions! 🙂
Daryl ‘Deedee’ Reese
I enjoy your writing so much -So glad your blog is active again and Mr.Refashionista is healthy. This top remake was lovely and so very – You!
Jenny Woodward
I have a front loader and have dyed things in it several times. I just put it on a hot wash cycle. I make sure the garment is completely wet before I load it into the machine and set it going before I add the dye through the washing powder draw.. it then gets washed in with water. Even so it is still sometimes a bit splotchy. It does need a complete cycle with just water after the dying to remove any hangover colour. It’s the pits when I forget to do that. Like the top.. looks great!
Angie
I’ve gotten great results every time with my front loader by first running some hot water in the empty machine, then adding the dye and pressing start again to stir and dissolve the dye in the water. Then I add the wet fabric, press start, and let the cycle run it’s coarse. I choose the longest, hottest cycle possible. Detailed directions here, as well as directions for any kind of dying you’d want to do: https://www.dharmatrading.com/information/garment-dyeing.html
Ami
Glad you are back! To avoid the splotchiness when you dye I would recommend putting the garment into as large a container as you can and stirring it as much as possible. I would suggest a large plastic bin because the folds of the fabric can prevent the initial dye from getting to every place and the longer the piece is in the dye bath the less dye available and the color also fades in the dye bath as well so the intial uptake of dye is crucial for that allover even tone. I used to dye a ton of fabric for quilting.
Love your top!!!
Lisa Jensen
I absolutely LOVE your refashion and your keen sense of “re-purposing!” The clay color you chose really looks good with your coloring!
I have to share something with you….I have sewn for years, bought many many many many clothes only to give (or throw) away a TON of them (that’s also probably a low-ball guess…). I ran across your original blog a couple years ago and have to tell you…I now look at clothing entirely different and have learned that when the “creative urge hits” – visit the thrift store! I’ve had fun re-inventing some of my “dated” clothing and enjoy visiting thrift stores once in a while.
Thank you SO MUCH for your inspiration and sharing your remarkable talent!
Sara
Super cute!! Did you just cut and hem the sleeves too?
Meredith
Great looking top and I love the way you styled it with the dark jeans and accessories !!
And yes ! Y’all cute And cool
MaryJo
Great remake! And I like the color of your shirt better than the color of the one from Anthropologie. Plus, you got to have a swell dinner at a lovely restaurant with the money you saved. Again, it’s good to have you back.
Joycelyn
I’m so happy you are back! The shirt looks amazing. You look happy! JWW
Theresa Clark
Oh my gosh. Adorable like always !
Kathleen McDermott
Your refashioned blouse looks chic and pricey. The color it came out is beautiful, especially with your coloring, and the lovely Ischia necklace is perfect with it. (Was your visit inspired my the fabulous Neapolitan Novels?) I’m still experiencing manic delight at your return to blogging. You have no equal.
Vanessa Reynolds
It looks amazing ! Love the shoulder and sleeve detail x
Stacey
So glad to get your emails and congratulations on the wedding !!!
Lori
Love it! Did you cut and hem the sleeves? The original looked like it had a small ruffled edge? You inspire me to try dyeing; have never tried that.
Lori
Oh oops, I read it again. Those were flowers on the sleeves.
Ann Miller
Superb job. The color is great. I agree that rit should sponsor your blog.
Karen
Fabulous refashioon! Not many of us can afford a $68 shirt and to be honest I prefer yours x
Doris Carlson
I too am so glad you are back!! I too love Anthropolgie! However, since I can’t afford it and also have a non-profit to teach sewing to the under-resourced, that is totally sustainable, i.e. nothing new but thread and zippers, I LOVE your posts more than any other because I can show others that “thrifting” isn’t just a technique to “get by”, but a very creative way to showcase ingenuity!! You go girl!! Hey, just so you know, I’m 75 and still try to stay somewhat “classic trendy”:-) Check out my site http://www.newcreationtrades.com
Carri
I am so glad you are back! I love your new top! Where do you go thrifting? I can never find anything for only a dollar!
Lynda Schwab
Love what you do with thrift items. I’m 68 and have done the same adjustments for years, that is how I get my favourite pieces
Michelle
I love that top… you just made my husband unhappy because no I’ve got to go hunting for that top… in the thrift store of course and a trip to buy the dye♀️
KathyJo
Sooooooo glad to have you back! Love your creative ideas! As a committed upcycler, I love to hit the thrift stores (yesterday was $1 day!) – wish I had purchased a few more items to refashion … Youinspire us all!
mimionasecretmission
Fabulous refashion! So much better than the original inspiration!
Kim
(Another) Fabulous re-fashion!
Penny. M
I love this and also am really glad you’re back to blogging. Such a refashion mentor! Give me lots so inspiration.
Kim
I love it!
I found your blog while you were on hiatus and read Every. Single. Entry. I was so delighted when I saw that you were back!!
Amber
Love it
Katie Sielke Taylor
I love this!!! You do a great job and I’m glad you are back to blogging!!
Arlana Crane
Super cute top! I like it way better than the Anthropologie version! So glad this blog is back!
Laura Carrier
Another success! Good job.
Angie
This turned out great. So glad you’re back. I wanted to mention that i have a front-loading washing machine and I dye in it often, always with great results. Sometimes I manually pour in a gallon or two of extra water, but not always.
Belinda
Yes! I use my front loading machine all the time too. It hasn’t been a problem for me. 🙂
Elita @ Busy Needle QuiltingE
Love this too! Much better as a faux-Anthro than a frumpy Easter dress. 😀 Well done!
Elizabeth
Love the top! So cute. and I’m really glad your back to blogging again.
elaine174
Such a difference as it’s now a really lovely top that you could wear anywhere. Great job!
Maggie
You make me really happy!
Tiffany McMillian-Bailey
I absolutely love you and I am SO GLAD you’re back!! I never learned to sew, but you inspire me to want to learn!! Keep ‘EM comin, love!!
Redbam
Absolutely divine. So happy to see what you’ve done.
reMade Nation
Still Life with Pincushion Fabulous refashion!
Krista Carter
Cute! I think anything would look cute on you because you’re small. Us chubbies have a little but if a harder time But glad you’re back. I missed your blog!! Congrats on your marriage
random434blog
You are so amazingly talented!!! Love the updates! You are inspiring too! Thanks for sharing so much!!!
Gemma Petracca
You new creation (refashion) is awesome. I even like the color. Keep them coming, I enjoy them so.
Murielle
Turned out really well! Great refash!
Mimi Hill
Yes, I agree “You cute”! and I am so happy for you. I have missed your wonderful talents with dying, snipping and whirring! Really admire you ability to transform clothing items from ugh to WOW! LOVE the new clay Anthro top! Gorgeous. Thanks for coming back on and am looking forward to seeing all your new upcycles!
Judy
You are amaaaaazing!
Love your wit too!
I’m so happy you’re back!
Wendy
A home depot bucket is also good for dying.
Cathleen
Love this! It’s nicer that the Anthropolgie one!
Susan
You are my hero!
Denise Richard
It’s so darn cute! I love your vision
Jan Kirkman
I so love this! The ‘new’ top is fabulous! Very on trend. The food shots were mouth-watering. A very happy story all round.
Paula Coyner
Love the color on your new top. The cut work on the shoulders is amazing!
Mary
Your writing skills are amazing!!! Reading your upcycling adventures is as enjoyable as the inspirations you pass on. Really liked the foodie part too
The top is great! Never thought to combine dye colours.
So glad you’re back!
Joanne
Love this, Jillian! Also I love that you talk about parallel dimensions as I often refer to the alternate universe thing that they used to do in Superman comics!
Latrenia Bryant
I love it!! 🙂
Rebecca Tunnacliffe
Really great work, and stunning photo finish. Good choice of colour for your complexion. You’ve inspired me to use Ritz often.
Dana Lott
Love it! Can’t wait to see what you do with the boob flowers
Emily
I love this one!
Liz
I love that refash! Great job
Christy Keyton
You never cease to amaze me. I would have passed that dress right up- but your eye for creativity is a gift. So glad to be reading your posts again.
Sharon
Congratulations to the wedded Mr and Mrs Refashionista! Love the top, that color is mine.
Kathy
So glad you are back! Love reading about what you do!
ziggyseamstress
Ditto all the above! I’m so glad you’re back – I love your blog. You’ve got such a great eye for the potential of thrifted clothes (far, far better than buying new!). Always inspirational – thank you. (Hey, Rit, pay attention!).
barbara j barr
So glad you are back! Look forward to your post.
Jeanette Cz.
My jaw dropped when I saw how darling your top looks! Anthro-Nothing, your top looks 100% better and flatters you totally.
blissinger
You definitely transformed this piece…it looked like a nightgown in the first photo. Hope you’ll be able to do something with the bottom half.
Catalina Hartwell
Beautiful!
Michele S
Nice redux! Happy to see you are trying dye. Look forward to the next!
prknsrw
So glad you’re back. Love the refashions and your narration makes me chuckle every time. You go girl
LizzyM
I never comment online, but I’m so glad you are back : ) We all missed your ray of creative sunshine in our inboxes!
Dawn Lai
You are sooo talented. The top is really nice, and you styled it well!
Nele
Love your “new” top!
Just wanted to say, like many others already, that I’m so happy you’re blogging again! Your refashions from a few years ago inspired me to pick up sewing and it’s become my passion!
So, yay for all the new posts! 😀
Daggett Betty
Well that came out really nice, love the color! Speaking of Mr. Refashionista; have you done any men’s refashion for him?
Karrie
A most excellent refash – love the color and accessories.
Really- what is it with designers/manufacturers throwing random embellishments in the most inappropriate places imaginable on perfectly nice frocks?!
Julie Coffin
So happy you’re back. And how did I miss that there’s a Mr Refashionista! Congratulations you look happy!!
Ellen
Heck yes girl! This top looks fabulous and black rooster is so freaking delicious!!
Love this remake! Andddddd the color’s so on point. :*
Tonna Chavez Ott
Beautiful! Your lovely blouse, absolutely surpasses the plain old store, bought one…and I really love the color! Lovely blouse, Italy, your precious husband and friends…and an exquisite necklace filled with happy memories…who could ask for anything more! Welcome back, ma’am…we’ve missed you! Tonna Chavez Ott
Carol
Love how you dyed it by combining two Rit colours. Have never used dye before so you inspire me. Glad you are back!
Nancy Lathan
Love the top! Glad you are back!!
Elise
Love it! So excited you are back – I usually don’t comment but please don’t leave us again!!! You brought joy to my morning!!!
Noreene
I love this one! And you are a joy to have back to inspire us!
Fiona James
Love this! Such a great colour!
Amy Hawkins
Tres chic! Nice to read about and see your refurbished garb! Welcome back!
Lourdes Vigil
Good job! One question… in the end result pic of the blouse, it looks like there is still an embroidered flower on your left side. Did u leave one on?
Alisa
I’m so happy you’re back!!!! All the new stuff looks a fabulous!!! Will you be featuring new items for mr refashionista in the future?
Barb
So cute and so clever
Vickie Kane
Love it! Anthropologie is amazing but your refashion is better.
Jennifer
Love it!
Chickie
Fabulous refashion. I appreciate your frugal thrifting. It’s inspiring.
Mary Beth
Love it! Also, you inspired me to pick up a bottle of Rit Dye and dye the expensive shirt in a terrible color that someone gave me.
Lisa
Fantastic! I love seeing your refashions 🙂 so inspiring:-)
What do you think?
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