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

Button Front Skirt Restyle

I love button front skirts, but for some reason, the ones I find while thrifting are always too big for me. Luckily, they're pretty easy to take in.  I am super excited that I got to keep the belt buckles on this one.  I love the character it gives to the skirt! Ignore the fact that it won't button on the form... that means it fits me perfectly!

How I did it:
1. Put the skirt on inside out and figure out how much you want to take it in on each side. This amount should be equal to keep everything centered.
2. Once you know how much you're taking it in, lay the skirt flat (inside out still) and put a pin at the top, marking that measurement on each side.

3. Go along the side of the skirt, measuring out two inches from the seam all the way down (as pictured above). You will want to keep the shape of the skirt as much as possible.
4. This step is optional: With a pencil or fabric pen, take a yard stick and and connect the pins. I do this to help me see the angle and to make sure it works on both sides. It also helps me keep the seam straight.
5. Sew both sides of your skirt and try it on.
6. When you know the skirt fits, you can trim the excess with pinking sheers or serge it.
7. Hem the skirt to your desired length, and you're done! Just remember to always hem last because taking it in will make it sit differently when you have it on, even if it is just a little bit.

I hope this will inspire you to give things that don't fit a chance at the thrift store! 

~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

Strapless Dress Restyle

I have had this dress for a few years and have never worn it. I bought it from Forever 21 while on vacation and didn't try it on. Ooops... live and learn! As you can see, it is just the worst fitting thing, even on the form. An even better reason to never wear it is that the zipper always got stuck while attempting to zip it up. Awesome!

How I did it:

1. Zip the dress all the way down so you can still use the zipper.
2. Seam rip all the way around, including the lining. You will need to cut that zipper at the same point that you rip the seam. (I didn't keep my lining, but you may want to).
3. Fold at the ribbon, pin and sew all the way around. Done!

Since I didn't keep my lining, I knew I would have to wear a slip. I decided to pair it with a vintage slip and let the lace hang out the bottom.

What do you think? What do you have in your closet that you could restyle?
~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: 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: 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

Today was for... Hemming

Thanks to my being shorter than your average person, I always have lots of things to hem. These things tend to sit in piles forever until I get frustrated and feel like I have nothing to wear and finally put in the time to hem. (I am an all-star procrastinator)!

While we are on the topic of hems... can we agree that taking scissors and hacking off the bottom of a dress/skirt is NOT a hem?  I promise you, hemming your clothes is not all that hard. If you can't/hate to sew, you can use this (stitch witchery). No one ever has to know, and I promise it works every time. Also, if you are a vintage seller and do not want to "actually" hem the item in your shop, PLEASE don't shorten it in the first place! (I understand that fraying fabric can be stylistic) (Yes, this is my opinion, and I understand everyone can do what they want) (Please don't hate me)!

Three wool skirts and a dress can now be put into rotation.  Nope, this didn't even put a dent in the pile... but these are the things I always wish I could wear. Someday, I will get through the whole pile (but probably not)!

~Charlie

My Closet Look Book - Style 3

This week I chose one of my favorite dresses (an old Urban Outfitters find) that I always wear the same way with out fail... mustard cardigan, brown tights, and boots!  With a little time I found a couple more ways to wear it! 

Details: 1. Peter pan collar blouse (French Toast) layered under 2. Peter pan collar blouse with black crew neck sweater (F21) layered over 3. Skirt over dress (thrifted) teal cardigan (F21) 4. Pleated skirt (thrifted) layered under, long black cardigan (target) 5. Olive wool cardigan (H&M) belted with a maroon belt (thrifted).

I am dorkily excited at how this little look book is coming together.  It is already helping me see the possibilities that lay within my closet.  If you haven't seen looks one and two, click to see them!

~Charlie

My Closet Look Book - Style 2

I am still conquering my closet (ya know... closet full of clothes, nothing to wear).  I have developed a plan to execute My Closet Look Book since my last post.  I am going to pick one item of clothing from my closet each week and figure out how many different ways I can style it!  Then, to hold myself accountable and keep up with my goal... I will post that look here for you to see, and maybe even inspire you to dig deep into your own wardrobe and see what you can come up with!

This week, I styled a floral print dress from Heritage1981 (F21) that I haven't worn since the end of summer (couldn't figure out what to do with it). 

 Details: 1. Layered a purple button-down underneath, added a belt (F21), and finished with a grandpa sweater (Target) 2. Black pleated skirt (thrifted) under the dress, black cardigan (Sears, old), and pulled it all together with a black bow belt (H&M) 3. Put a big comfy sweater (Target) over it  4. Layered a long gray cardigan (F21) over it 5. Put the pleated skirt (thrifted) over the dress. 

It amazes me what not being under the pressure of getting ready can do.  With just a few simple pieces of clothing, I have 5 new ways to wear this dress that I haven't been wearing.  This process is also helping me to rid my closet of all the clothes that do nothing for me... Yay!

~Charlie

You can see the first style here!

Closet Full... Nothing to Wear

I know that I am not the only one out there that opens their closet full of clothes, sighs and says that I have nothing to wear...right?  This happens to me all the time. I mean, I might have a few good week-long runs where I can manage to put things together and be happy with them, but the dreaded time always comes when everything I have is just uninspiring and I can't figure out how to put it together.  This frustrating time is what led me to think that I should come up with my own closet look book of sorts that I can go through when I say I have nothing to wear.  It also means that it's time to get more acquainted with my tripod and camera remote!

Just some information before you laugh at the pictures: (it's ok, I did too so you're really laughing with me) It was my first time using the tripod and remote, and I did learn a lot for next time... like to make sure the tripod is level (or maybe I really do stand that crooked lol)! You may notice that I just wore the same pair of tights and shoes in each shot. They may not be what I would choose to wear with ieach outfit, but I just went for ease and tights and shoes are the easier part of putting an outfit together for me! It was also a recycled, curly, tie-your-hair-up, no make-up day... so, no need to see my face (it is about the clothes, after all)!

I started with a piece of clothing that I have never quite known how to wear or what to put with.  It was a lovely $10.00 find from Urban Outfitters, and due to the price I decided that there was no need to try it on (silly me).  Here is what I came up with!

(clothes info: All sweaters pictured are from Target, the pink one I embellished with the collar.  Skirts 1,3,5 from left to right are thrifted, skirt 2 is from H&M, skirt 4 is me-made).

In the end, this shirt dress with horrible pocket placement makes a great shirt to be layered under skirts!  I think making a look book may really help me. Hopefully, in the next one I share I will be standing straight, and maybe not so stiff (not sure why I was so nervous... I was alone)!

What method do you use to keep from having the "I have nothing to wear break down"?

~Charlie