Hi! It’s Wannabe Wednesday…trust me. It just is, okay? 🙂
I’ve been coveting this funky dress from Urban Outfitters:

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:

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.

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

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

And just like that, my copycat is complete! 🙂

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

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


Cheers!
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.
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 😉
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.
You took the good part of the original and made it smashing; love it.
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!
You are so inspirational!!! I just need to start somewhere. . . I have most of the supplies needed!
This is really great! I like yours better. The ties on the side are very cool.
Ugh! I hate the original! Who would actually wear that? I like yours so much better!
Your copy is WAY cuter than the original!!!
Love, Marla
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
Your version looks great! I actually prefer it to the original. Your posts always make me laugh, great writing!
Oh! I love Blue Moon too! With an orange slice, yum!
I love it! It’s very versitile too, huh?
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!
Thank you so much!!! LOVE
It is called “Fray Check”. Usually carried at any fabric/craft store.
^Yup! 🙂
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!
Yours is so much prettier than the original girl! Love it!!
I gotta get a sawing machine! Do you think i can learn how to do it? I really want to!
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.
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.
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
i think your version is better than the original ! love it
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!
It is Fray Check.
Fray Check from Dritz http://www.joann.com/dritz-fray-check-3-4-oz-/prd2992/ Wonderful stuff!
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.
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.
Feeling a need to bare your breasts does actually show a lack of self-respect. So, i agree with Anna & Jilly. 😎