Remake: Vintage Purple Polyester Dress

Yeah, so this one is most definitely added to the "more uncomfortable vintage finds" list. It's a whole lotta polyester!

Polyester with a big ol'collar and a zipper down the front! Also there's a few belt loops with nothing to put inside...

Kind of itchy, seriously heavy, and without a whole ton of awesomeness going on.

However, I'm a-gonna bring that awesomeness. You heard, I'm a-gonna bring it!

I just had to point this out...there's a V-shaped piece of material that was sewn directly to the piece to give the essence of a pocket. In fact, my friends, there is NO pocket! I had to give this piece props for doing some serious foolin'.

But right after I gave my OK sign, I took that faux pocket off. Seam ripper, get rippin'!

I didn't notice the severity of the discoloration until I put the piece down and started to work. Just check out those sleeves and the collar! It's 50 shades of lavender!

I decided to get rid of all the trim, so the cuffs came off...

...as well as that collar.

I'm working out some serious length adjusting, so I cut this piece in half-ish. I took off the skirt portion right below the hips, so I said goodbye to a little less than half.

Because this piece is a bit boxy on me, I wanted to take it in. I pinned the front center of the piece, inside out, placing my pins about an inch from the purple trim area that the zipper is attached to.

I stitched a straight seam down this front area and turned it inside out.

To give a little more shape to the piece, I created a V neck which worked out perfectly with the new front seam that I had created. I removed a few stitches from the front portion that I just sewed to not only created a new shape at my neck, but to allow for enough room to put my head through without needing a zipper. There's a bit of stretch to this fabric as well making it easy to take on and off.

Remember those belt loops? I just had to take them off. I removed stitches at the side seam that were keeping them in place and took out both loops...

...and restitched the holes that I just created.

After all that work, I think I couldn't be happier with the result!

Pastel textured top? I will absolutely take it!

I paired my new top with a Trina Turk white skirt, vintage gold belt, and a pair of gold Charles David heels.

It's super dainty yet has a structured edge, because the fabric is literally stiff. I think it would be awesome paired with a contrasting print for the next wear!

From horrid to happening, this house dress saw a complete 180. And yes, I totally took time to stop and smell the flowers.

I love that you would never know what this looked like in the beginning as well! I'm bringing a screen shot of the before look with me whenever I wear this from here on out!

Mustard Yellow Quilted Dress

When I saw this dress, at first look I thought it could have been a blanket.

It was sitting in a pile of clothes and all I saw was the shiny yellow quilted skirt, yet still it had to be mine.

I thought it just needed some simple length adjustment...

...but then I found something else!!

Check out the pits!!

They're completely worn out. Completely! So, on top of the length tweaking...

...there's some pit tackling to handle as well. I needed to take in the body a bit, so I worked on the arms as well, stitching right next to the worn out fabric.

Length trims came next...

I cut. I pinned. I sewed.

New hem in minutes!

With a belt to create a bit more shape at the waist and some ankle boots, my dress was ready for dinner!

I love the different shades of yellow on the skirt portion! I stuck to neutrals when it came to my accessories, however pairing this with black shoes and a black belt could give it a totally different vibe.

It's still rather mild out, so a jacket wasn't needed! (I'm heading to the cold soon though, so I'll feel the chill that some of you are experiencing now!)

And, the best part...the pits!! Not see-through anymore. Not worn out anymore. Score.

Fun and comfortable was the name of the game tonight.

Just a little mending, gives a completely new look to this vintage frock!

Lime Green Polyester Dress

You guys saw this lovely frock last week. It's a whole lot of something, right??

Those sleeves and collar were a sight.

They were made from such a thick polyester too! Time to minimize the accent touches.

I began with seam ripping, a whole lot of seam ripping. The collar came first. I started at the zipper on both sides of the piece removing the seams holding this pointed collar in place. With one side off, the other one followed!

With the neckline totally free and clear from the white collar, I did the same thing with the green and white trim that went all around the neck and down the front of the dress. It felt like it should be on a vintage golf outfit!!

The sleeves came next...

I cut the dress a bit shorter to hit right above my knees. Didn't want it hitting my ankles anymore!!

I threaded my machine with green thread and then created a new hem, tweaked the arms, took in the torso a smidge, and then resewed the neckline.

With everything stitched in place, my new dress was RTW!!

The simplicity of this dress is what makes it so chic. I used those ribbons that I took from the center of the dress and just tied a bow at the waist.

Paired with a vintage scarf to wear around my head, this look is one of my new faves.

We haven't hit the crazy winter temperatures yet, so I'm still in dresses and short sleeves here in LA, however I'm planning for a slew of wintery outfits for Thanksgiving in the mountains! This is something that would work perfectly with some stockings and boots, to make it more appropriate for the chilly weather!