Reunited Dress
About a decade ago (OH MY GOD I FEEL SO OLD!!!), I was something close to a Junior at the University of South Carolina (Go Cocks!). I was not the most studious student, folks. :/ While my dedication to my major (Theatre) was strong, I couldn’t quite make myself give any flips at all about other subjects like…say…Statistics. Don’t worry! I did eventually graduate and somehow even managed to convince someone to hire me! 🙂
While I could just accept personal responsibility for my inability to choose studying over partying, I prefer to blame the company I kept at the time….specifically two of my best buds, Mike and Travis. 🙂
We hadn’t gotten together to hang out in a couple of years, and decided it was time to relive our gloriously misspent college days!
And I knew JUST what I wanted to wear!
Seriously? What is this about? I think it’s supposed to be some sort of sleepwear/loungewear thing, but I honestly haven’t a clue. I just hope someone was fired for this garment’s conception.
It’s hard to know where to start with something like this. Luckily, I was already dying some of my faded black Tshirts to get them looking nice & new again. I tossed this into the dye bath as well! 🙂
After the dye bath, I began the process of turning this jumpsuit into a proper dress. First, I removed just a bit of length from the legs. This will make the whole thing easier to work with.
Then, I trimmed the seams from the crotch allll the way down each leg. I did the same for the back as well.
Progress!
I put my future dress on my form and got to pinning!
First, I pinned the open front and back seams to make a skirt.
The sides got taken in a smidge as well!
I stitched all of this down on my machine, trimmed off the excess fabric with my pinking shears, and was almost done! 🙂
I put my dress on and pinned where I wanted to make my final chop!
Then, I hemmed that bottom raw edge!
Now that dress is ready for a happy reunion with my college chums! 🙂
I styled my $1 dress with a $1 thrifted belt and a pair of TOMs (which cost a good bit more than $1).
It was great getting to hang out with my old roommates/pals!
Many beers were consumed…
Much fatty food was consumed!
And much happy reminiscing and catching up occurred! 🙂
Cheers to old friends! 🙂
81 Comments
angelfairydust
I love it!! What a different a dye makes (if you say that in an Aussie accent it sounds like the real saying what a difference a day makes haha!)
I am having a really good go at refashioning now thanks to you and I’m almost finished with my second ever refashion!! Check out my first here
http://angelfairydust.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/my-very-first-refashion.html?m=1
Cheers! 😉
christinapertz1
Nice job! I love it. Tutorial?? How many extra inches did you add? I have a short jean skirt that fits well but I wish it were a bit longer!
angelfairydust
About 5 inches I think, I didn’t actually measure I just cut and sewed! I’ve got a few more to post within the next few days 🙂 I’m going to do a 40 day 40 outfits challenge for clothes for my holiday in June 🙂 thanks for looking at my blog!! Xx
angelfairydust
I was going to do tutorials for the 40 day challenge! Keep checking my blog and ill update soon 🙂 xx
ReFashionista
Thank you so much! And Well Done! I love it! 🙂
angelfairydust
Yay! So glad you like it! Not bad for my first try!! 🙂
Elizabeth
That is amazing!!! It doesn’t even look like the same thing!
ReFashionista
Thank you so much!! Glad you like!
Willow
Very cute!!
Laura
Wow…now that is a big difference. (I hate to admit this but I wore something similar I think early 90’s… it wasn’t pj’s just a summer jumpsuit) You’ve really opened my eyes to look at garments in a whole new way. I haven’t refasioned anything yet but think I’ll start with what is in my closet before I toss anything. Thanks for sharing your creativity!!!
ReFashionista
In all fairness, as a jumpsuit it IS quite comfy! 🙂 Now…get to refashioning! 🙂
Trudie
I wore a couple of jumpsuits like that when I was in middle school–can you believe a lot of girls did?!? I’m sure my mom still has the original pattern! haha. Love your results!
Andrea Miller
Yep…I had quite a few of them in the early 90’s and you know what? I was totally rad when I wore them. I would have my wild, curly hair in a pony tail to the side (with plenty of Aquanet to make my already big hair even bigger), slouched socks and high-top Reeboks or LA Gears. lol
ReFashionista
HA! I remember these things! Now…did you ever wear the neon slouchy socks two at a time???
angelfairydust
I used to wear them I had one pink and one yellow!! Bad bad neon lol
BeingZhenya
I love this! Well done!
Xo,
Z
http://beingzhenya.com
ReFashionista
Thanks! 🙂
fancyhollow
What a nice idea! But i know you couldn’t do it without your assistant! 😉
ReFashionista
Thanks! Geez…between Spock and Douglas, it’s amazing that I manage to get anything done at all! 🙂
ScrapAndSalvage
super cute! i’m not sure wth it was beforehand, but you sure managed to turn it into something fab!
ps my mom was a theatre major at the “real” usc in the 1970’s 🙂
ReFashionista
Thanks!
Heeeeeey….USC (South Carolina) was here first!!! 😉
ScrapAndSalvage
ha. i should have clarified. my mom graduated from the “real” usc, meaning south carolina in the 70’s. incidentally, she ended up moving to cali a few years before i was born. her teacher was emmalee and they still keep in touch 🙂
Liz Dees
Great re-fashion, I am an avid follower. By the way angelfairydust blogger lives in my city, please drop me a line if you read this. Liz.
angelfairydust
Hiya where about do you live? X
angelfairydust
I sent you a friend request on Facebook, Lauren angelfairydust Duffy xx
Shannon
Awesome! Way to turn that pile of steaming whaaaaaa? into something great!
ReFashionista
I just tied ’em up! They’re actually pretty cute! 🙂
Eileen
Wow! That’s quite the transformation! Who knew that pink thing could be saved?? Well….you did, apparently……
angelfairydust
She definately has a great imagination doesn’t she? 🙂 always sees the refashion in the old clothes, so clever jilly
ReFashionista
Thank you, ladies! 🙂
Chica Andaluza
That looks amazing and it looks like you had a really fun night out!
Pam in Cincinnati
late eighties to early nineties … they were referred to as “party pants” and were actually really popular with kids and adults. scary, but true. they look much better as a dress, though.
ReFashionista
Party pants????? I love it!!!! 😀 Party on!
Jenn
That’s amazing, total transformation!
Love your blog and I must say the other day while doing a little refashion of my own my hubby caught me saying out loud, “Whirrrrrr!”, as I was sewing up some hems. Haha!
ReFashionista
Thanks! I actually say “Whirrrrr!” out loud too! That’s where that comes from! 🙂
ana albi moreno
Me encanta reciclar ropa, y tu idea es buenisima, aun no he tintado nunca nada. mispuntosyotrascosas.blogspot.com
vjstracener
That is really an amazing transformation. You are so creative.
Amanda
That is awesome! I found some thrift store dresses (although sadly not for $1) that I’m dying to repurpose. This is great!
Amanda @ Running In Heels
amandarollo.blogspot.com
undressed2012
Amazing! Great job of one of the most bizarre garments I’ve seen
Deecie
Please press open your seams before hemming….would look so much nicer…great idea, though, and love the way the dye left the print but modernized it.
ReFashionista
I know I know I know! I was such a slacker! :/
Nancy B.
You just amaze me!!!!
christinapertz1
I love the dye job! I am curious, if I use Rit dye in the washing machine like you do, does it stain the inside of the washer? Or how do you know its all out of there for the next load?
ReFashionista
It really won’t stain it if you run the machine empty with detergent and bleach when you’re done. Or you can just wait til your roomate does their laundry to be safe…;)
jenny_o
You mean you didn’t love that … pink … jumpsuit … garment?!
Nice job. I like how you put that belt and shoes with it. Understated but very sharp.
ReFashionista
Thanks! That belt is one of my faves! Works with toooons of stuff! 🙂
Jennifer Genardi
Adore your blog, I would love to drink a delicious craft beer with you sometime!
Me
You rock, you rock, you rooock… umm, did I say that you rock?
ReFashionista
Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! Ummm…did I say, Thanks? 😉
jasperizer
that thing was just wrong :)) Congrats on your creation! LOve the kat- I’ve got a gray half-persian with 2 kittens 🙂
http://etheea.wordpress.com/
ReFashionista
Thanks! That kitteh is actually my roomie’s. He’s a sweetie though!
Erica
Fab refash, doesn’t look a thing like the original piece. Also, those TOMS! I’ve had my eye on those when I saw in your winery blog pics, v. niiiice!
ReFashionista
Thank ya! I LOVE those TOMS! They’re my first pair and they’re the comfiest things ever in the world! 🙂
Flo
Pretty clever! I’m curious as to how many wearings you get out of an item after you’ve refashioned it? And what do you do with them when you’ve grown tired of them, re-donate?
angelfairydust
I’ve always wanted to know this as well….
ReFashionista
It really depends on how much I like it. When I’m done wearing something, I either give it to a friend, or donate it. I feel like I’m releasing a rescued animal back out into the wild! 🙂
angelfairydust
You should make an etsy shop, refashionista fashions so people could by your refashions! You could even get some of your friends to model for bigger sizes!!
Jody Fine
Yay! I was so happy to Spock. I was worried you brought him to the animal shelter when you donated you shoulder pad mice toys. Such a happy family 🙂 Nice refash too (as always)
Stephie G
I haven’t seen Douglas in your post in a while. How’s he doing?
ReFashionista
Douglas is doing great! I promise to take a pic with the little guy soon! 🙂
Betty
Very clever! I love reading your “refashions”…you brighten up my days! Sew on!!!
nikki
So were you at USC (I went to USC in LA) when they almost almost played Oregon State? You don’t know how hard I was rooting for the Cocks vs the Beavers. It’s still a dream of mine to see that. 😉
ReFashionista
Hehe…Cocks…Beavers…hehe! 😀
Jennifer
I really like the outcome of this refashion. From an outfit that flatters NO ONE to a cute dress with many possiblities. This is a also a great refashion from trousers to a skirt.
If you feel old by saying “a decade ago” when talking about your college days, wait until you start saying “two decades ago”. 😀
ReFashionista
Thanks!
And don’t worry…it’ll come soooooon enough!
Jaime
Nice job! But girl, we need to get you an iron for your after shot. 😉 And yes, I’m pretty sure these were not pajamas. I wore something similar in the early 90’s!
ReFashionista
Ugh! I rode in a car 4 hours before I took the pic! It was ironed, I promise!!!!
Beth Ineson
Even though I an not the least bit talented in the textiles area, I LOVE your blog! You are so inspired and imaginative. I look forward to every post, as it’s like opening a surprise package. Thanks for sharing your wonderful mind with us. Have a great Memorial Day!
Susan
Wow, I found a similar pajama jumpsuit and thought who would ever want to sleep in something with that many buttons?! I turned mine into a dress also, although I kept it pink. It was actually featured in Altered Couture magazine. Great job…love it! http://secondchancesbysusan.blogspot.com/search/label/altered%20couture
Rivette
I love the idea of dying an outfit to change the look. My sister even found a way to dye lace using a microwave.
ReFashionista
Whoa!!!! How???? Please share!!!
Rivette
There are step by step instructions on the Rit dye website http://www.ritdye.com/content/batiky-tank-top . But my sis says the key is to make sure when you micro it you only do it for twenty to thirty second intervals. It really works. I’ll have to send some pics.
Anita
I found a jumpsuit the other day and now I’ve turned it into a dress…totally inspired by you.
Farren
Oh my goodness I LOVE this refashion!! And your hair is getting so long! You look gorgeous in these photos!
Jen
Where’s Douglas? The cat is cute but weenie dogs make much better accessories!
Cindy
In the 7th grade…22 years ago we called these “Bubble Suits”. My granny made one for all of her granddaughters. We loved them!! haha!! my my my how fashion has changed!
Liz
Hey! Is the cuite-Mike your new boy???
ReFashionista
Hahaha! I don’t think his wife would like that very much! 😀 Nope, he’s an old college chum. We’re too much like brother and sister for any of that! 🙂
MrsAlwaysForever
Love it! And I’m glad you did this refashion, much appreciated! I’ve seen a few jumpers (adult onesies) and dreamed of turning them into dress…alas my dreams shall come true!!!
Amy Dietrich Mark
That is amazing!!! I am so impressed.
Erin L.
I think this is one of my favorites you have refashioned!!!