I received this lovely polka-dotted number from reader Cathy in NC.
The polka dot dress is one that I've kept for a while, although it is very dated with the padded shoulders, peplum skirt, print, etc. I really loved wearing it to church, weddings, etc. It was always fun so I know you'll do something very fun with it. A hat was always a great accompaniment for this dress. Take care and keep posting!
She sent it my way to allow me to work out some upcycling magic on it!
There were three tiered layers as the skirt. The top one that felt super peplum-y to me...
...and the bottom two that went down below my knees.
I was still trying to figure out what I was going to do with the bottom, but I knew right away what I was going to do up top!!
I started off by trimming the shoulders from the neckline all the way to the end of the sleeve.
I did this to both sides and ended up with a fully open top portion.
Next, I folded under the fabric in the front and the back to create a strapless piece. I measured and pinned this area to prep for sewing it in place.
The machine came out and the top of the dress was sewed.
I needed to take in the bust of the dress a bit because it was too large to stay up on me. I put the piece on and pinned the areas that needed to be adjusted on each side.
I wanted the skirt portion to be more of a pencil style, coming in a little tighter at the knees, so I decided to take this area in. I added pins on the third layer (at the bottom of the dress), cutting in closer and closer towards the hem to make narrower.
Post-pin, I stitched my skirt and took in the bodice area...
...before completing the look with a little cinching and pinching at the bust with a safety pin. The final look...
This style dress has to be my favorite. I love an exposed neckline!!
I had a cocktail attire party to attend, so I grabbed my vintage red coat with velvet trim...
...and headed out for the night with a bunch of pals. The cocktail/meat party (it was literally just that - platters of meat and veggies that had to be eaten sans utensils) was held at the stunning Vibiana in downtown LA.
We grabbed a block of seats at the table to accomodate everyone and CS (aka Katniss Everdeen's braid sister) and I took a pre-gorging photo...
...before we got down with the meat when the platters hit the table.
I couldn't help taking tons of pics at the photobooth. It was sponsored by Ultimat Vodka, so the props made me feel like I was a legit bartender.
I couldn't stop faux muddling drinks even after the photog stopped flashing!
There were snakecharmers, magicians, and AWESOME LADIES ON STILTS. No joke, this woman was fierce.
Her costume was pretty insane too. (I was totally coveting those striped pantalons!)
The gorgeous CS's DIY heels were TDF (to die for)!! (She made them using a fab tutorial from the Honestly WTF gals). She went with the tassels...
and I rocked the bows...
After a night of eating and dancing to this lovely band...
...it was couch time.
And then it was hot dog time.
Perfect way to end the evening in my new favorite dress. Thank you so much for sending this my way, Cathy! It's my new go-to cocktail dress!!
