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Wannabe Wednesday: A Lilly Pulitzer-Inspired Refashion

Rachel's Reader ReFash!
Q&A Monday: A Life Refashioned?

I’ve been putting off refashioning this dress for months.  I just wasn’t quite sure where to go with it!

Refashionista Lilly Pulitzer knockoff before
C’mon, Jillian! Any step forward is in the right direction!

This house dress-y frock’s amazing print drew me right in!  It also reminded me of something…

Lilly Pulitzer in her shop
Hi Lilly! 🙂

You’re looking at a 1960’s pic of Lilly Pulitzer, aka “The Queen of Prep”.  Her original simple dresses made of vibrant patterns are still a major influence for the Lilly Pulitzer brand today.  I’m a big fan of her designs.  I’ve even done a Lilly Copycat before, and I’ve been wanting to do a tribute piece since her death last month (April 7, 2013).  I may not be a wealthy socialite (in fact, I’m quite certain I’m not), but I think I can emulate Lilly’s fun & breezy style!

A new Lilly Pulitzer dress sells for about $200.  Let’s see if I can make a suitable knockoff for $1!  🙂

More Lilly!  :)
More Lilly! 🙂

Most of Lilly’s dresses were sleeveless, so a bit of ripping was in order.

Rrrrrip off those sleeves!
Rrrrrip off those sleeves!
Douglas supervised!
Douglas supervised!

Then, I pinned and stitched down my raw edges.

Whirrrrr!
Whirrrrr!

My new dress was beginning to look Lilly-ish, but it still needed a final fitting!  My dress form happily obliged.

She's so patient...and so great at standing still!
She’s so patient…and so great at standing still!
Take it in, then snip off that extra fabric!
Take it in, then snip off that extra fabric!

I’m almost done!  🙂

All I had to do now was figure out what to do with that now-collarless neckline.

Give me a "V"!!!
Give me a “V”!!!

After stitching down my new V, and giving my dress a good press, I was ready for a HAWT South Carolina day!

I did not ride either of these bikes, btw.
I did not ride either of these bikes, btw.

I wore my new dress to the Grand Opening of Columbia, SC’s first brewery, Conquest!  For those of you in bigger cities, this might not sound like a big deal.  But this is a HUGE event here.  People waited in line for an hour in the hot sun just to get a sampling of our local brew!  🙂

Many beers were tasted!

Dan schmoozes with one of the founders of Conquest
Dan schmoozes with one of the founders of Conquest

Much photoboming occurred!

Really, Ken?
Really, Ken?
Great!  Now he has Erin doing it too!  :/
Great! Now he has Erin doing it too! :/
We clearly have an epidemic on our hands!
We clearly have an epidemic on our hands!

I like to think Lilly would be pleased with my little homage.  🙂

Cheers!

Original Cost:  $200

Copycat Cost:  $1

Savings:  $199!

beforeafter

Rachel's Reader ReFash!
Q&A Monday: A Life Refashioned?