Floral Blue Alteration

I picked this dress up at the thrift store a couple years ago, so I don't remember how much it was, but  it was probably about $5. It doesn't have a tag, so I wonder if someone made it at home. I wore it many times just as it was when I bought it. I loved it, but eventually I felt like it was just not actually that great. I don't know why or how, but one day I just didn't love it anymore. I put it in my closet for months, always meaning to wear it or alter it, but I never did until just a couple weeks ago.

Here's the only "before" picture I can find. It's literally the worst, so it might not be super helpful.

.

I shortened the sleeves. They were 3/4 length before. And I shortened the skirt. It was mid-calf, and now it's just barely below the knee.  

This skirt may not look it, but it's HUGE. Hemming it took HOURS. There was just so much fabric to deal with. It was crazy.

Anyway, I feel like it's much more wearable now, and my love fore this dress has definitely returned!

Black with Gold Dots

 I found this at the thrift store for a few dollars. I loved how it drapes, and the gold dots are wonderful!

 I did notice that there were some runs in the fabric, but this didn't dissuade me from taking it home with me anyway.

This top is from a company called Bentley, and it looks like it came straight from the 80s.

This top is great because you could really dress it up or down, depending on the occasion.

Here's how I would probably wear it:

With black and gold dots shirt by princesszandra featuring strappy high heel sandals

Black Floral on Sheer Purple

I picked this dress up for a whopping $8 at the thrift store. It really is a ton of money for a thrift dress, but I bought it anyway. I loved the fabric, and I felt like I could make it more wearable. The brand is called New Raves, and it seems to be from the 80s.

I should have taken a before photo... oops. Anyway, step one was of course to remove the shoulder pads. They were huge.

The dress used to have a very huge top, and the skirt was fitted until it hit about mid-calf, where it flowed out.

I decided that step two should be to unpick the skirt from the top. I cut inches off of both so that the top is now a bit more fitted, and the skirt is a bit shorter and has more movement throughout.

For step three, I decided to turn the rather high round neck into a small v, and I added a tiny collar detail to it.

I've worn the dress with a full slip under it, but it would benefit from being lined. That will be step four. Maybe someday.

Rosy Skirt

This skirt, which hits about mid-calf, sports a rosy pink pattern with fabric that has a soft and velvety texture.

I'm not the biggest lover of velvet/velour, I must admit. I'll just say that it is entirely possible that I owned something like this when I was in eighth grade, and it's a look I've been trying to move away from since those days. BUT. This skirt isn't the same. I'd say the elegant feel of the fabric is just right for the pattern.

There's a kind of tapestry quality to it...

This skirt was found at a thrift store and I picked it up for a few dollars. It's in great condition, and I couldn't help myself...even if velvety isn't always my go-to style.

Try it with:

Rosy Skirt Suggestions by princesszandra featuring charles david shoes

Tropical Beauty

I LOVE this dress:

If I were maybe three or four sizes smaller, I would wear this beauty regularly. But sometimes, you pick up a vintage find because you just LOVE it, even if it doesn't fit.

This tropical leaf pattern dress is Joni Blair, a clothing company that started in the 1970s. I'd guess this dress is from the 80s. I adore the bodice on this--fitted in a most flattering way. The sweetheart neck is icing on the cake. The thrift-store cake. Okay, that doesn't sound appetizing at all. But I do like it.

The price tag on this lovely dress? $4!

Try it With:

Suggestions for Tropical Beauty Dress by princesszandra featuring strappy sandals

Jimmy Choo strappy sandals
mytheresa.com

Strappy sandals
kule.com

Fun, Floral, and Cheap

I found this robe for $3 at my local thrift store last week.

I think the fabric is gorgeous, and now I'm just deciding how I can make it wearable outside of my house.

I think it could be turned into a dress or perhaps a top. I'm swamped with other projects at the moment, so this will have to wait a little while, but once I get to it, I'll be sure to post about the exciting results. 

Star Trek Dress: Part 2

So I tried to find more info about the purple/black dress I just posted about. The brand is Bugardi, and I'm like 99.9% positive it's from the 80s. It's a 12. I found it sold for $10 elsewhere, so it doesn't appear to be a super valuable gem, so I don't feel so bad about washing it regularly when the tag says "dry clean only."

Here's the thing. I can't bring myself to dry clean something I buy for a few bucks at the thrift store. It just seems crazy.

I'm still considering shortening the sleeves. I had pushed them up a bit here. They are full sleeves. I think it would be nice if they were short, though. If I alter them, I'll be sure to post about it. Also, this dress is rockin' with a leather jacket.

Star Trek Dress: Part 1

I picked this rad dress up a few months back. I saw it and thought this was so unique and totally weird looking, and I cant help but think of Star Trek when I see it.

So honesty, this dress emphasizes my butt and stomach in ways that confuse me, but I still love it. 

As far as renovations on this beauty go, I haven't touched it. I'm considering shortening the sleeves somewhat--to make it a little more versatile. However, if I do that, I might lose some of the cool contrast. 

I plan to post images of me wearing this dress soon, and if I make and alterations to it, I'll post all about that as well. 

Meanwhile, what a fun find, and for only $4.

P.S. Don't you love the cat toys in the background?