Est. 2010
How to Turn a Thrifted Dress into a Top
I love finding unique pieces at the thrift store. Of course, if I only have to pay $1 for them, that’s even better!
I frequently encounter dresses like this one with some really nice details, like that decorated single lapel and side button waist. The details are there, but it just doesn’t work as a dress, as we’re not in the 1980s anymore.
An easy solution to make dated thrift store dresses like these work is to refashion them from dresses into tops!
I first started doing this back in college. My roommate and I lived in an extremely dodgy triplex (which has since been converted into a completely non-dodgy British Pub).
We were both hopelessly broke. I worked at a gourmet food shop that let employees take home any croissants and other pastries that didn’t sell that day, which we rationed for just about all of our meals. I can’t believe I’m not diabetic.
“We’ll have an oatmeal cookie for breakfast, A plain croissant for lunch, and a spinach and feta croissant for dinner.”
We didn’t have money for new clothes, so when we got tired of a dress in our closet or thought one didn’t fit quite right, we’d chop it off and hand stitch a new hem.
Voila! We now had new tops!
Fast forward to 17 years (EEEP!!!!) later, and I’m still refashioning dresses into tops today (duh!)!
Step 1: Remove the unwanted details.
This dress had a few items I knew I didn’t want on my top.
I ripped off the shoulder pads and those buttons from the sleeves.
Step 2: Choose your chop!
Try the dress on and pin where you’d like your top to end. Be a little generous here, as when the weight of the skirt is removed, it’s going to fall a little shorter than where you pinned it (because gravity).
Also, make sure to leave enough space for a seam allowance.
Pro Tip: Try to keep your friend’s dog that you’re watching for the day off of your refashion if at all possible.
Step 3: Pin the bottom raw edge under.
Just fold it under and pin!
It’s better to double this over so the raw edge is tucked in, but I’m pinning the red part to the seam where the black and red parts join, so this would have added a lot of bulk.
Step 4: Stitch the bottom hem down!
While I use my sewing machine for this, you could channel your inner college-age Jillian and hand stitch it. Bonus points if you do so while watching a VHS tape of a Masterpiece Classics miniseries you’ve checked out from your local library.
And just like that, you have a new top!
You can see I chose to roll up the sleeves a little bit, rather than cut them shorter. I think it works, but I can always change them later.
I really like how my new top dresses up my comfy shorts, but can also see myself pairing it with a pair of black pencil pants or black jeans.
While running errands in my new dress-turned-top I scored a bamboo coffee table a neighbor tossed out.
After tossing it into my hatchback, I texted Mr. Refashionista this pic:
He replied with:
I have since repurposed said table into a cute poolside bench for my patio. 🙂 Several of you have asked to see my patio (which I’ve done a lot of work to get summer-ready), and I’ll be sharing my super-budget patio decor in a post soon I promise!
Til then…
Cheers!
How to Turn a Thrifted Dress into a Top
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20 Comments
LINDA CONNER
Cute top and dog, too!
Kay
Another bit of magic there! I am definitely going to try something like this. Great find on the table!
[email protected]
I had forgot about my Bloglovin’ feed and there you were! So glad to see one of your posts.
cybersecuritygrrl
I am so happy that you’re posting regularly again…so happy! 🙂
Chris
I love how it ends up with a 50s vibe
jenny_o
Making this into a top really does change the whole feel of the piece. Great job, as always! If I still fit into my 80s clothing (yes, I still have some of them) I’d be trying this. Unfortunately, I don’t, but hope springs eternal 🙂
Amber
Super cute love it
westporthillviewfarm
You took a dress that screamed “I’m from the 80’s!” and made it look like an expensive top. You are incredible!
nina
Nice job. I think a sleek black pencil skirt would be best with this. Black jeans at least, not blue jeans. It’s too dressy of a top for sure.
ELIZABETH AULSEBROOK
Iʻm with Sarah – is there an afterlife for those shoulder pads? Of the pieces you cut away, what do you decide to save? Show pictures of your fabric storage? Do you have a dream file for quilting? A file for other upcycle/repurpose projects? I think lots of people want to know how your creative brain works. Beautiful new top in this posting!
Nikki
Well that certainly went from “oh no” to “oh yes”.
After reading Sarah’s question re the discarded shoulder pads, I googled what one can do with old shoulder pads and an old post of yours from 2012 popped up on Pinterest. You made a “coozie” out of some. Great idea! Learnt a new word too.
woodlandwhimsy
Curb side recycled furniture is the best!!
Erin Marjorie Gill
Love this! I’m going to see thrift store fashions in a whole new light now!
Yona Bello
This is a great refashion and easy to do. Thanks for the idea and it looks very pretty on you.
Jen
As always, awesome job!
Loretta M Mitson
Hey, he should be thankful to have such a thrifty, creative partner! Nothing like salvaging useful things. I furnished my daughter’s dorm at Yale with trash treasures and garage sales. Plus it was FUN! The thrill of the hunt!
Adorable and creative as always. Thanks for sharing your creativity!
Dee
I love this! Of course, EVERYTHING looks great on you! Can’t wait to see what you did with the curb side bamboo trash table!
Susan
Love it, great job! I’m always looking for free furniture too, nice find! I love your posts!!
Lori Nevin
That was a great $1 find and refashion! Love the details in the garment
Sarah
Questions:
1. What miniseries?
2. Do you have a mountain of shoulder pads somewhere in your house? What do you do with them all???
3. Have you seen The Good Place? When I saw this dress all I could think of was Mindy St. Clair in The Medium Place.
What do you think?
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