90's Polka Dot Dress Restyle

It has been far too long since I've shared a restyle. To be honest, I took a mini-break from thrifting because I was really getting bored of it. Don't worry, I am slowly getting my thrifting spirit back. On another note, don't stare at the pattern on the dress too long... you will go cross eyed. Photographing tiny polka dots might be the worst thing ever!

I shared this long 90's dress a while back. When I first grabbed it, I thought it would be the perfect maxi type dress, but upon further investigation (after the thrill of thrifting wore off) I realized it wasn't the right fit or material. Boo... on the form it went so I could come up with ideas. 

I knew I needed to take it in, so I started there and took it in until the waist. Then, I moved on to the length. The slit up the side just wasn't for me, so I hemmed it to the knee. I used my rolled hem foot and it made this task a breeze. When I put the dress back on the form, it had the best shape, but it was missing something. I used the material I cut from the length, and made a removable collar using this pattern. 

Now, it has a classic feel. Take the collar off and it instantly becomes a timeless dress that can be worn with anything. I am thinking I could even wear it over a collared shirt... I love pieces that can be layered. Have you thrifted any pieces that don't fit the idea you had for it? What did you make them into?

Charlie

Thrifted: Lady Like

Anyone else in love with the longer hemlines? After thrifting my first maxi skirt, I am a believer! So much less to worry about, yet still light and breezy. I have already worn the floral 90's maxi(ish) dress twice and I just love it! The polka dot dress is a little more dressy than I thought and it might need a little restyling before I wear it. As for the teal skirt, it has pockets(!) and it fits wonderfully. I know it is more of a fall color, but maybe it can still be worn in the summer too. 

Summer is definitely setting in here in Michigan... finally a few days without rain! Now, to catch up on all the yard work that has been getting rained out. How has your summer been so far?

~Charlie

Thrifted: Randomness

I enjoy when a thrift trip ends with little finds like these. I didn't hit the jackpot on clothes or any of my normal finds, but I did find these lovely things. The Keds had never been worn, but I was a tiny bit excited and wore them a few times before I took this picture. They're perfect for summer and they're leather so I may stand a chance at keeping them clean! The mini Dooney & Bourke was a complete surprise. Things like this are usually behind the counter and I am far too shy to deal with that... I might have squealed with excitement when I found it. It is missing the little fob, but other than that it is in great condition. I also couldn't pass up these adorable old ledgers. There are just too many possibilites for the paper.

I don't know about you, but I am already spacing out for the long weekend. I am ready for veggie burgers on the grill, going to the beach and playing with sparklers!

What are your plans for the Fourth?
~Charlie

Thrifted: Tops

I've been in a bit of a thrifting rut... nothing was catching my eye until I spotted these shirts! I got them for $2.00 a piece and I don't regret it one bit. I am not sure you could find more spring/summer appropriate shirts. I love when you can thrift perfect pieces while in the right season!

How has your thrifting luck been lately?
~Charlie

Tips For Restyling a Thrifted Secretary Dress

I love this dress. I love the bow patterned fabric and I love the little tie. The only issue with it was that it swallowed me whole when I put it on... time to restyle it! Sorry, when I make a restyle really fit me I can't get it back on the dress form, but I promise a picture of me wearing soon! I honestly can't wait to wear this dress out!

Here is the process I used to restyle this dress. I am not a professional seamstress! This is just a hobby, and I am sure I am not doing things the proper way, but I have found that for a beginner like me this has been what works. Maybe it will help you to restyle something too!

1. Work with your dress inside out.

2. Remove the shoulder pads using your seam ripper (and get comfortable with your seam ripper).  I know it will be tempting at times to just cut things, but I promise... that shortcut could cost you in the end.

3. Remove your sleeves. Again, with your seam ripper!

4. Now that the sleeves are removed, put your dress on inside out and see how much you need to take it in on the sides. From the armpit down through the waist, pin or mark how much you need to take in on each side.

5. After you make sure both sides are equal, you are ready to sew the sides of the dress. It really does help to have the appropriate needle for the fabric. Since a lot of these dresses are made from a slippery polyester, I opt to use a ballpoint needle to help ensure the fabric does not pucker.

6. Once you have the sides sewn, put the dress on one more time (the right way this time) and make sure everything looks correct. If it does, turn it back inside out and cut off the excess. If you want, you can use pinking sheers, but you can also serge the seam.

7. Once the excess is cut, it is time to finish the sleeves.  Simply take the extra fabric you have and roll it in twice, pin and sew.

8. Lastly, I often need to hem my dresses. For this I just cut it and use my rolled hem foot to finish it.

I hope this is clear, but if not please let me know! I am thinking that in the future I will share more tips on the different ways I tackle my restyles... what do you think? You can see restyles from the past here, check it out!

~Charlie

Thrifted: Shorts

Yep, I am going to attempt elastic waist shorts. Laugh if you must, but they're really comfy and I am thinking that if you pair them with a cute blouse you won't even be able to tell. To be honest, I didn't know the yellow tennis skirt was a pair of shorts until I was attempting to put it on the dress form and it wouldn't go... yea, I am really observant! Either way, I like it... a nice bright color for the summer.

I have had the blue khaki shorts for a while. Enjoying them is what made me more confident in thrifting other pairs of shorts. In general, I have a horrible time with shorts... they were always too short, too tight, or had improper rip placements (I would really rather you didn't see my underwear). As you can see, none of these shorts have any of those issues.... they may be a bit dorky, but that is one issue I'm totally okay with!

~Charlie

Thrifted: The 90s

I thrifted both of these pieces in the same trip. I have been having a bit of a dry spell... nothing really catching my eye, but these two pieces did. I cannot wait to wear the polka dot skirt. It fits me perfectly and it is long enough to be maxi style. I don't own anything like it and I have a feeling I am going to wear it way too much. The jean wrap dress has pockets! Any dress with pockets has my name on it and who doesn't love a patterned jean dress?! 

~Charlie

Thrifted: Vintage Carry-on

Yep, yet again I caved and bought a carry-on. I couldn't walk away, but this has to be the last one.  There is no more room for another one... See!

If I do get tempted again, I will have to get rid of one and I am sure that will help me walk away. I never meant to start this collection... it just happened! I do like it though and they fit neatly on top of there. I think it was meant to be!

Have you "accidentally" started any collections?

~Charlie

Thrifted: Sweaters

I know I already mentioned it a few posts back, but seriously... be sure to look through the out of season things while thrifting. I found both of theses beauties in with the winter clearance. The pink one can definitely be worn in the spring, but if they want to give me a discount and call it a winter item, that is fine by me! Probably the only bright side to it still being so cold here is the fact that I have a chance to wear sweater number 1. 

~Charlie

Thrifted: Skirts

I found these two beauties over the weekend and I can't wait to hem the mint one for spring!  I also think I need to start selling off some of my wool skirt collection (loads of Pendleton)... I am just not sure of the right way to do it. Should I add them to my Etsy, open a Storenvy, open another Etsy or put them up on here? Anyone have any insight out there?? I would greatly appreciate it!

~Charlie

Thrifted Dress Restyle

I know this dress is a mildly obnoxious pattern. I picked it up thinking that it would be cute when made smaller! I may have been wrong...

This was my first time really using my dress form as a guide and working on it.  It made everything a lot easier and I don't understand why I never did it before (duh!). Using the dress form made it possible to get rid of the bulk from the top half and not need the elastic at the waist anymore. I have never been able to get that right.  I also learned how to use my rolled hem foot and it made it so easy that I'm sad that I feared it for so long.

I couldn't be more excited about the things I learned, even if this dress is less than awesome.  Maybe the fact that it was a little less than awesome freed me from the fears I had about trying these things before.  Even if I never wear it, there's no loss because I learned so much!

~Charlie

Thrifted

Of course I find awesome shoes after writing about how the shoe sections creep me out. I am glad I braved the section because these lovelies have never been worn... and for $9.00, score! I also found the lovely red train case that still has the mirror and the perfect yellow sweater for Spring! Hurry Spring! 

What have you been thrifting?

~Charlie 

Thrifted: Sleeveless

One of the things you can do while thrifting is look for things that are out of season.  I find some of the best things in the off seasons like these sleeveless collared shirts. The two on the left are Gap and I got them for $1.00 each. Top right (brown gingham) is Wrangler and has the best country western accents... score!  Bottom right (vintage Sears) will have to be taken in, but for 50 cents, who could say no?  It is so light and I can't wait to wear it in the summer. I've already worn the three that fit layered under sweaters. I love how much they add to my closet.  I promise, if you thrift for things out of season you won't be disappointed!

What are some of your tricks while thrifting?

~Charlie

Thrifted: Shoes

I don't often thrift shoes... I have only done it one other time and it was for a pair of Bass oxfords.  For some reason, the shoe sections at thrift stores really gross me out. Still, I couldn't pass these up.  I know the Candies are very obnoxious, but for me they are a pair of shoes that I never got when they were cool and so the teenager in me made me buy them! I have yet to wear them, but I think I could totally make something happen... maybe. I am also in love with the Etienne Aigner loafers. They were barely worn, so they need some breaking in, but they're the most beautiful chocolaty brown. They match everything I own and I just love them...a very perfect find.

What thrifted things creep you out?
~Charlie

Thrifted: Dresses

I am in love with the blue patterned dress (1). It fits well, and it can be paired with so many different sweaters and vests. It might be the best .80 cents I've ever spent! I bought the blue uniform-ish dress (2) to experiment with methods of getting yellow stains out.  I got it all clean, but now that it is saved I still doubt I will ever wear it.  The 90's (I think) plaid Gap dress (3) is the best shape and it even has pockets! It is one size too big, so it is in the to-be-altered pile, but I can't wait to wear it!  I thrifted the khaki dress in the summer and it has been in my restyle pile since, but it is growing on me just the way it is. I am thinking it will stay plain... thoughts?

~Charlie

Thrifted: Skirts

I have more skirts then I could ever wear. I mean I do my best, but I have skirts that don't even fit me that I couldn't leave behind at the thrift store. Yes, I know this could be a problem, but they're so pretty! 

-Wool plaid (I am thinking 70's) skirt. The plaid had such pretty colors... blue, purple, gray and pink. I have 2 others in this style and they are so comfy to wear.  

-Pendleton pleated wool skirt! This is the perfect Christmas skirt.  I was trying to figure out how to wear it for this Christmas, but sadly I couldn't come up with a top/sweater combo in time.  Oh well, I will just have to wear it next year!

- Ann Klein gray skirt.  It doesn't happen too often, but I do thrift other things than vintage/handmade and this skirt made the cut.  It fit like a glove and is such a lovely color and texture.

-Pink handmade skirt.  This darling skirt was probably sent to the thrift store because it isn't perfect. The thread used is more red than pink and the zipper needed a bit of fixing, but something about the color (which I hardly wear) made me buy it.  I am thinking it may be a staple in the spring.

Is there anything you just can't leave behind while thrifting?

~Charlie

Thrifted: Tops

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend... I know I did!  Here are a few tops I thrifted recently. I find that tops are the hardest things to find new or thrifted. They're either too short or too boxy... anyone else agree?  

1. A paisley yellow print - I love this blouse even though it is a bit too short to wear with jeans. It is perfect for skirts. 

2. Navy and cream knit - I have yet to wear this one... it is a bit on the long side and I am not sure how to layer it. Thoughts?
3. Polyester zipper back top - This top is so simple, but for some reason caught my eye even though it was stained.  I have a hard time buying stained items, but a little vinegar and Clorox 2 and it is perfect!  I wear this shirt often. It fits like a dream and something about the zipper makes it feel more fancy than a t-shirt (it is all in my head, I know).
4. Floral blouse - This top is handmade and I can't help but feel it was for a costume, but it looks perfect under dresses and sweaters. I love button up shirts!

What have you been thrifting for?
~Charlie

Thrifted: Crafty Things

Here are some crafty things I have thrifted recently... I am kind of excited about it! I am thinking up a fun holiday DIY for the embroidery hoops.  I would love to make a dress from the knit fabric (is that even possible?).  I think I may have done the happy dance when I found the letters.  Have you seen this DIY? I want to make one... not sure on the phrase.  Lastly, I found four of these floral pattern napkins... I am thinking pillows... maybe?

Found anything good lately?
~Charlie

Thrifted: Sweaters

I am sure by now you all know how much I love sweaters. I think the orange sweater is my favorite in the haul... I could wear it everyday! The gray one is almost a tie. It is roomy and easy to wear with lots of layers. The other three I have yet to wear, but I have some ideas.

Have you thrifted anything lately?

~Charlie

Thrifted: Pendleton

I know I may have said before that I wouldn't buy any more Pendleton skirts, but ummm... this happened!  Also, pardon my wrinkles.  

I am in love with the teal skirt... it was hemmed to the perfect length for me. I have already worn it twice! It is so comfy and the weather is perfect for it right now.  I can't wait to take in the gray one just a bit!! I have been in need of a gray wool skirt. Now, here is where I have a problem and am becoming a hoarder. The plaid, red, and purple don't fit me and can't be taken in to fit me.  They were just such good deals and in such great condition that I couldn't help it. 

I also came across my very first Pendleton new-with-tags thrift! 

It is not my size either, but I got so excited that I had to get it (as I said before, I have a problem)! I am not sure if I should re-purpose the wool or attempt to sell them? Thoughts?

~Charlie