’80s Striped Dress Refashion
Little did I realize my go-to hairstyle for when I’m working at home would match the era of this frock so perfectly.
Yes. Very 1980’s indeed.
Let’s go down the list of things I dislike in this dress, shall we?
The neck is much too tight, the cut is unflattering, and I reallllly dislike the fullness of that skirt with the print at the angle it is. :/
But there’s plenty to like here too! The fabric is soft, warm, and comfy. The blues are of pretty enough hues, and I like those elastic wrist cuffs.
But how to get this dress into a shape that I actually like and find flattering?
First, I was happy to see the elastic in the waist lived in a casing, rather than stitched in. That made the act of removing it super easy!
Next, I took a grey dress from my closet (that I love the fit of) and traced around it with tailor’s chalk.
I left a little extra room as the fabric of the grey dress has more elasticity than the blue dress.
The sides got stitched up.
I snipped off the sides…
…as well as a couple of super flimsy shoulder pads I found.
I chopped a bit more off the bottom and pinned my new hem.
Then, I stitched it down.
I also picked the tag off from the back.
With the back as the new front, I was able to unzip it a bit to give myself a little more breathing room.
I think the zipper works really well front and center!
My new frock enjoyed a glass of wine with a good pal as we chatted about an upcoming trip! 🙂
Cheers!
46 Comments
Alicia
I can’t believe that it’s a whole different dress! I bet it is so warm and cozy and yet so beautiful!
Michele Garcia Main
great transform!!!
LibbyWick
Absolutely love this refashion! I wish I had your vision – phenomenal
Wendylowther
I love seeing you remodel clothes but I am shocked by how little original wear these clothes have! Many of them look as though hours have been spent making them but if they have one wear they are lucky! If nothing else I intend to give clothes I buy or make lots of wear!
Annie
SO much better than the starting point! You are one clever lady!
Robin
Love this one! What a difference!
mrsgberg
One of my favorites. Your skills are supernatural!
Connie S
Love love love this. You are soooo clever.
JoAnn
This is a style I’d wear every day!!! Soooo….what would you have done IFFFF there WERE sewn in elastic?
Joanie
Very Gap! J Crew! Love’
Sue OConnell
Great! You turned a mess into marvelous…Super work!
Sarah
Ever tried a dry bar of soap instead of tailor’s chalk? It makes a super clean line and its SOAP, so its awesome.
Karen
Love this! Turned out so cute, and you look fabulous 🙂
Shana McCracken
Add another “Wow!” to the list.
Jane
Karen Petitt
Fabulous! I would have ditched it or walked past it because it was so very 1980’s and if I’m being honest it was bug ugly. But you turned it around wonderfully Karen x
Rose
WOW!! What a transformation. LOVE IT!!
Natalya L.
Rad!!!!!!!!!
Jess
Ooohhhh! Me likely!
holly
perfection
Yona
What a transformation…. really like this redo the best so far!
Murielle
Love those colours on you!
Joyce
This is one of your best ever!
Anne
That was one seriously ugly dress – I couldn’t wait to see what you would do with it. Fabulous result!
Moon
on the before pic it was hard for me to imagine how you’d fix this one, love the end results.
Diane
Stripformation!
Terri Tompkins
Cute cute cute!!!!!!!!!!
Sandra
I recognize your like for short dresses. If I were as small as you, I probably would too. However, you really disappointed me with this great full skirt when you took all the fullness out of it!!
nenamatahari
Much better!
Michelle Van Ellis
Ah mazing. Do you see what you want to do with an item when you buy it or is it more like a collection of fabric you like and stock up on?
Lori Nevin
Thank you for helping to look for good features in an otherwise ugly whole.
Maureen
100% fabulous!
Glory Lennon
nifty!
whatcatdraggedin
The refashion is pretty great, but your hair looks particularly amazing! Keep doing what you’re doing!
Amy
Super cute!! Would also be a darling dress on a Saturday (when it’s warmer out) out flea marketing with white converse and maybe a denim jacket. You are so talented!! I love your blog!
Kristine
Love this! Love all you do! Spent the last month reading your blog from day one and fell in love with what you go! Question though…how do you sew your knits without them getting all stretched out and wonky??
Joy Poulos
Love that look awesome.
Kimberly
Love it!
Kathy Dalla
Wow, I didn’t think that dress was salvageable. So cute!
Dbeautyangel
I just adore your stuff.
Lynn
You are amazing!! What a vision to see ways to use otherwise unwearable garments!!
Keep them coming, please!
Meg Miller
Too cute!
judy ross
So glad you got rid of that elastic! Looks great!
Lisa
Love this. Every time I go to my local thrift shops I see things and I’m like wonder how Ms. Refashionista would up the style on this! I have a lot of pieces to refashion but have been a chicken so far to just do it!
MJ
Wow! Love it!!
Laura A
wow, i love this, cozy and modern!