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Wannabe Th-uh…Wednesday! Really!

Rachael's Frocktober Refash!
Q&A Monday: What NOT to Thrift

Hi!  It’s Wannabe Wednesday…trust me.  It just is, okay?  🙂

I’ve been coveting this funky dress from Urban Outfitters:

That'll be $98.
That’ll be $98.

Ain’t it rad?  The print is great, it looks uber-comfy, the knots are nifty, and I want one for spring!  🙂

Buuuuut…98 bucks could buy a LOT of wine (priorities!), so I’d rather make a quick copycat from a $1 thrift like this:

This is what I look like in the morning.
This is why I don’t get any fan mail from the fellas. :/

The print isn’t even close to the original, but the idea is the same.  They’re both sort of a funky “tribal” look, so it’s close enough for my purposes.

This refashion is a no-sew!  All I had to do was make one big cut.

Simple!
Simple!

I left the bottom edge raw, but I didn’t want it to go fray-crazy, so I applied this to the edge:

Keeps that fraying in check!
Keeps that fraying in check!

After the fray-check dried, I made a couple of knots…

Knot a problem!
Knot a problem!

And just like that, my copycat is complete! 🙂

...and I'm not even showing sideboob like in the original!  :)
…and I’m not even showing sideboob like in the original! 🙂

Of course, it’s still a bit chilly out, so I had to winterize it a bit!

Cozy cardi!
Cozy cardi!

I wore my new dress out for a couple of drinks with friends…

Mmmmnnn...Blue Moon!
Mmmmnnn…Blue Moon!
Artsy Shot!
Artsy Shot!

Cheers!

Original Cost:  $98

Copycat Cost:  $1

Savings:  $97

Rachael's Frocktober Refash!
Q&A Monday: What NOT to Thrift

31 thoughts on “Wannabe Th-uh…Wednesday! Really!”

  1. Great blog! I think the original dress here was simply cut in a straight vertical line, as opposed to the rounder cut on yours which produced smaller knotted bits.

    Reply
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  3. no only is your look fabulous, you accessorize it SO well. you rock, chick! and thank you for your blog, it is an inspiration to me… i have this BIG, GOLD muumuu/kaftan hybrid that i got at a thrift store and has been hanging around for the last three years.. i finally have some idea of what to do with it, thanks to you.. when its done, i’ll send you pics in an email 😉

    Reply
  4. Love it! Amazing how such a simple (yet genius) refashion can completely transform an item. As far as the whole side-boob issue, I think it that cut would look great if you had a tank underneath.

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  5. Yours is really cute and far more practical. I mean really the girl in the Urban Outfit frock leans over, the wind blows, her dress shifts – not good!

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  6. Looking great as always, Jillian! The knots are such an easy way to make a boring garment interesting. Your dress looks a lot like the inspiration picture (minus the sideboob; always a good thing). And I totally agree with your spending priorities (wine>everything else). Keep up the good work!
    –Sally

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  7. I don’t love, or even like, the Urban Outfitters version – to me it looks like a big, saggy diaper. But yours is really cute! You go, Jillian!

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  8. I agree with Michelle, yours is a lot cuter than the original. I like it more form-fitting….the original is a little too “saggy”, I think. And don’t get me started on the side boob…lol
    Also, what is the anti-fray stuff called? Does it work well? How about after a few washes? Love your blog, I’m a die-hard faithful reader!

    Reply
    • You can do it! Just get a middle-of-the-line machine that is not too expensive to start with and give it a try. This was a no-sew, so find the right fashion to re-fashion and you are there.

      Reply
  9. Cool! Very cute and Classy! Thank you for no side boob! There’s a time and a place for that. I have no idea when and where, but I’m sure someone would know. LOL! Thank you for all the fun things you show us.

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    • I thought the same thing about the original…I definitely can’t pull off the whole side boob thing….this was much classier and quick and fun

      Reply
  10. I think yours is even cuter than the original! Could you please post what the non fray stuff is called I couldn’t make it out in the picture. Thanks!

    Reply
  11. In addition to saving money, you’re also saving your pride/self-respect/relationships. That original showed major side-boob. No one needs that. Especially not for $100.

    Reply
    • No need for shaming. Anyone who wears the original dress can have self-respect AND like side-boob. And believe it or not, trust, love, and respect make a relationship, not covered boobs.

      Reply

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