ReFashionista
Crop Rotation
This top was given to me recently from a local charity shop that is about to have a large impact on Year 2 of my bloggy blog (don’t you just loooove teasers???).
Looking rather plump.
As you can see, it doesn’t look all that great on me. Also, the elastic on the bottom was all wonky and stretched out.
has seen its heyday
I looooove the funky print, super light fabric, and the neckline of this top; but I’m completely over the poofy shirt with an elastic waistband thing. It makes everyone look fat and preggo, and I think it’s time to modernize this top a bit.
Inspired by all the crop tops (reminiscent of the late 80′s/Early 90′s,) I’ve been seeing making a comeback, I decided to quickly make this blah top a bit more hip.
Chop!
Well, that was easy! I decided to keep the bottom edge raw, but I wanted to limit how much it could fray, and embellish it a bit.
The stitch that zigs!
As I’m closer to 30 than 20, I wasn’t quite ready to show the midriff just yet, so I layered my new top over a contrasting patterned tank, and an awesome skirt I scored at a recent clothing swap.
Oh hi.
Oh you know me! Just hanging out in alleyways!
The contrasting tanks kinda rock.
I headed to Delaney’s with the fella to celebrate the birthday of a very funny guy.
Happy B’day Curt!
Chillin’ with Curt’s lovely lady & her lovely fam!
Cheers!
In Vest ing in the moment
This is a bit of a Bogo refashion! The folks at a local charity shop were kind enough to give me several items that were damaged, and hadn’t sold. Author’s note: You’ll be hearing a lot more about them in year 2 of my blog in July! The dress I’m wearing is one of them. The vest I’m wearing was a $1 yard sale purchase from a friend.
By the power vested in me, I will fix you!
The dress was an easy fix, the grey jersey knit top had a bit o’ discoloration, which came out in the wash. Because this dress is cheaply made, and therefore of cheap fabrics, the top had also begun to pill. I took my razor and a lint roller to it, and viola! Fixed!
The vest just needed to be taken in from the sides. I put it on inside-out to gauge how much would need to be taken in.
about thiiiiiiiis much on each side
I used a safety pin to mark it, took it off, and pinned each side evenly.
Pinned on both sides!
I ran it through my machine, using a straight stitch, then a zigzag stitch to prevent fraying. Yes, the proper way would be to unpick the side seams, stitch the lining in (hiding the raw edge), then stitching the outer fabric, THEN stitch them back together….but I was in a hurry!
Whirrrrrrr!
I threw on my new duds with my gorgeous new patent leather brogue wedges from Sid and Nancy in Five Points that I bought for a song. I was ready to invest (har har) in a lovely Friday!
Looking off to the side for no reason is the new duckface.
Feeling like a total cute boots in my $1 outfit
I wore my fun lil outfit that evening for a birthday dinner/surprise engagement announcement for my lovely friend, Erin!
Hi Erin!
Erin has a posse!
Chillin’ with the Groom-to-be!
Cheers to Erin and Ken! 
Yo Bolero
This piece began as a rather frumpish blouse.
I’m frumpy! 
If you squint a little (or just enlarge the photo), you can see some of the coffee stains that I originally didn’t notice when I first snagged it for a buck. Stains are usually a deal breaker for me. If you can’t get them out, there’s not much you can do. :/ However, I had a plan!
I cut the top off a good bit, and opened up the front to make a jacket. I took in the blouse from the back: Once to make it smaller, and then a smaller bit on the bottom to keep it from being gapey.
I wore my cute new bolero at work, with a sun dress tucked into my pants to look like a blouse…
Hi.
And I wore my cute new bolero much better by night, after I untucked that dress and threw on my favorite cowboy boots!
Oh hai.
Tortured Karaoke Krooner
I’m really happy with how this new piece contributes to my wardrobe by making any dull neutral much less blah with its awesome print.
…but what do yoooooooou think?
Pocketpalooza!
A coworker of mine gave me this dress that had been languishing in her closet for years.
An ill-fitting frock!
As you can clearly see, the top of this dress is a bit big on me. Also, the plaid was a tad dull for my tastes. I took in the top and added a couple of pockets made of fabric from this refashion. I think the end result is quite lovely.
Pockets!
You can’t see them in the above pic, but I wore my favorite vintage brogues with my new frock.
Basement Kitteh digs vintage footwear!
My coworker liked this transformation, too!
You know, I just remembered the last time that I wore that plaid dress. It was Saturday, August 1, 1998 (almost 13 years ago, I guess that makes it kind of vintage). It’s the dress that I wore on the morning of my wedding day, just before I put on my wedding dress at the church. (-: Good memories. I’m glad you chose to keep and ”Jillianize” the dress. You look really cute in it! ~Email from my Awesome Coworker
I loved the back story of this dress, and am happy to be giving it a new life that will hopefully be just as romantic!
Cheers!
Jet Setter
Lately I’ve had the travel bug…big time. When I found this top for 50 cents a favorite thrift store, I immediately became wistful.
Frumpsville, USA
It doesn’t look like much with my bed head and my Costello specs, but look closer!
The Planes! The Planes!
I turned this top around, and made a fun new tank top for a beautiful Sunday!
Bonding with nature
The front looks spiffy, and check out the button-up back!
Lovin’ the back!
The Fella and I didn’t travel to any exotic locales, but we enjoyed a walk by the river…
At the Riverwalk!
…and some tasty fish & chips!
As close as I got to England that day…*sigh*
Cheers!
What did I wear this month?
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