This dress is a tad dour, isn’t it?
While this $1 thrifted frock coordinates well with this Day of the Dead planter (that contains a now-dead succulent) that Mr. Refashionista insisted we needed from Aldi, I’m still not a fan.
Does anybody else struggle to keep these little guys alive? I feel like my house is a succulent hospice. Many enter, but none exit (except in the trash).
This dress is dated, ill-fitting, and just…somber.
But I do so love a black dress, as evidenced by this little black dress refashion, and this black sweater dress refashion!
But I don’t love this one…yet!
To make this dress work, I decided I’d take it in, shorten it, and adjust the sleeves to be bracelet-length with slits at the bottom.
Fairly simple, no?
I really like dresses that are cut like this (with bust darts), as they hold their overall shape really well when being taken in from the sides.
To get started, I pinned where I wanted one of my sleeves to end, then chopped off the bottom.
After I chopped the one sleeve, I laid the chopped-off part over the other sleeve and used it as a guide to cut it as well.
Then, I grabbed my seam ripper and undid each sleeve’s seam.
I measured each slit to be about 5″, knowing they’d end up being about 4″ after I hemmed my sleeves.
I snipped off the bottom hem of my dress, thinking I might want to use it as a sash for my new dress when I was done.
I didn’t end up using it, but cutting it off before taking the rest of the dress in meant it would be long enough to tie around my waist if I later chose to.
Now to take it in a smidge!
I put my dress on my dress form inside-out and pinned the sides where I wanted to take it in.
I stopped pinning right above my sleeve slits, as this is where I’ll be doing a little backstitching to secure the seam.
You can see how this is going to make my sleeves slightly bell-shaped!
I stitched each side down…
…then used my pinking shears to trim off the excess side fabric.
My sleeves still needed a bit more tending to, as the sides of the slits were open and raw.
I folded each side of the sleeve slits under once and secured them with a small zigzag stitch.
I gave each sleeve a new hem by first pinning them under twice .5″…
…then stitched each one down.
All that was left to tackle was that bottom hem!
I folded my bottom hem under twice.
Then, I stitched my new hem down!
I think my newly-refashioned dress looks quite fetching!
I styled my new dress with big sunnies, a dramatic coiled bracelet, and a pair of burgundy boots.
It feels like I haven’t worn a dress in ages!
Getting a little dolled up felt really nice, even if it was just to have tacos at a friend’s place.
This is a fairly basic refashion, but in my opinion, it’s a good one.
I think this dress would work great for work (if we ever go there again), after-work cocktails, or even a succulent funeral!
Cheers!
You look great! Love the refashion!
I am really glad to see that you are doing better! you are looking really good!!
Succulents require a lot of light. You might have more success with a kangaroo paw fern or a philodendron. I love your refashioned!
Such a classic dress — Very Jackie O but you gave it your personal twist. LOVE IT.
The frump from that dress has left the house!! What a difference.
You sure know how to de-frumpify a dress, Girl! Is that your motto…”let the de-frumpification begin!”?
I love it. You look a bit Jackie-O ish with the sunglasses added. Good to see you doing well. Greetings and Hugs from southern Colorado!
Oh, yeah!! You nailed this one. It just looks fantastic on you. Love it!!
I kill every succulent I bring into the house. Now I only grow violets, and they thrive. I think everybody has a plant that they connect with.
I L O V E what you did with this dress! Gorgeous! Brava! Way to sew! 😉
Great job, you make look so simple. Nice boots.
Your dress is really darling and I love your boots as well!
Nice job! I had my doubts about the sleeves but the slits really did the trick. So nice to watch the dress turn from frumpy to fabulous! From frumpy to chic! Bravo!
You are so creative! I love seeing how you restyle everything.
Oooo Tres chic!! Love it!
When I saw the “first” dress I thought “what the heck? Does she pick the ugliest dress she can find on purpose?” Low and behold, you never disappoint. What’s the saying, makes a silk purse from a sow’s ear? Gross, I know, sorry. I just loved the new dress and the simple changes to make it. Wish I had your vision.
Great Job! … as always!
Well done– it needs some of your big jewellery–Stay strong.
I like all refashions. I kill all succulents! and orchid-I only tried once, too expensive of a lesson! haha Cool planter though, so there’s that. LBD for all but the hottest days!
I love it!
You are so cute!!! I love your blog, I have been following you for about 6 years now!
Pro tip on succulents, (from someone who has killed and kept many alive from trial and error) they thrive on sunshine and neglect! Don’t overwater them!!! I like to leave mine on the porch in the summer (as long as it isn’t raining everyday) and just let them roll!
such a great change. Love your hair too!
Love it! A bright, flashy scarf or metallic belt would really set it off!
That was such a blah dress before! The new sleeves shape and shorter length made all the difference. Thanks for posting!
Super cute re-do. You look great!
Love the refashion! Your hair looks adorable too!
Yet another winner. It looks great on you!
Gorgeous!!
To keep your succulents alive do not over water. One ice cube once w week is all they need. The same for orchids.
Succulents are desert plants. They store water. If soil feels extremely dry add another ice cube.