Remember that one remaining find I wanted to share? Well here it is, this delicate wisp of a lace dress. Only, when I paid $8 for it at the Welfare League Thrift, it was anything but wispy…
In fact, matronly 80’s-puritan ankle-length formal gown (with a Golden Girls silhouette, as one flickr commenter just pointed out, hitting the nail on the head I think) would better describe what I found hanging on the rack. This just goes to show that a diamond in the rough may be hiding in the most unlikely of places, so always be on the lookout.
The dress was originally made up of two pieces. Step one of the world’s simplest DIY dress transformation (Andie in Pretty In Pink I am not) was to remove this under-piece, leaving the knee-length lace shell.
I’m hanging on to it though, as I have visions of turning that bottom section into a lace skirt, any thoughts on the easiest way to go about doing that are more than welcome.
I wasn’t feelin’ the shape of the tapered sleeves so with a few quick snips of the scissors, off they came and step two was complete. The bib collar hangs over the front and back and completely hides the seams that I cut along so I didn’t even need to be that careful.If you look closely you can see a second flap of lace that hung down from the bib collar which I thought was a pretty detail and went back and forth about whether to remove it, but in the end…
I preferred the dress with a belt and the extra piece of lace hung low enough that it covered the belt, which looked weird, so off it came and my dress was complete, literally as quick and easy as 1, 2, 3 with no sewing involved!
I like the combination of lace and denim and the way my trusty lil' jacket can give any dress a more casual feel. For those of you who mentioned wanting to find a little cropped denim jacket of your own, mine is actually a thrifted XL GAP Kids jacket, so if you’re small enough, don’t forget to check the kid’s section!
Also, the white vintage full-slip that arrived in Andrea's giveaway package is absolutely perfect under this dress, what perfect timing! Speaking of which, I did indeed pick a winner yesterday for my own giveaway and *drumroll please* the winner (as chosen by the mysterious random number generator) is susan said so! Congrats Susan! I'll be doing some thrifting especially for you this week :)
Since purchasing the lace dress last weekend, it seems like lace is now everywhere, I guess it has been and I’m just now noticing it. I'll leave you with some beautiful lace-spiration to gaze upon, enjoy!
(sources: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-10,11,12-14)
49 comments:
I love lace! What you've done with that looks awesome. For the skirt you could just take a piece of elastic the size of your waist and sew the lacy skirt which you have cut off around that, kind of letting it hang loose and bunched up? That's one idea. I'm no sewing expert :)
Charmaine has done a lovely lace dress for her upcoming winter collection here in NZ. I bought it while I was down South on holiday. Not vintage, I know, but very nice. I'll have to include a picture of it when she gets her lookbook up on her website.
And your lace picture selection is lacespiration indeed!
Okay so that's it. You can wear that dress when we get married. But seriously, this post makes me so so sorry that a) I don't have a white lace dress. and b) I did not buy and lug to america a lace tatting device I found on my last ever Finnish thrifting trip.
*Gasp* That dress is GORGEOUS! I Love what you did with it and you look like a peach in it!!!!! I have been loving lace this winter!
lovely lovely lovely! and EXACTLY what i am so in the mood and dying for lately. i had to look at the sources of each photo too, just for more eye candy. PERFECT.
LOVE! I want one! I made a pretty white lace dress out of a old tablecloth that I thrifted, I've been searching for a cream or tan one, might have to try to thrift some more lace to make one. I would suggest for the skirt to cut it above the lace a couple inches sew it under and then put some elastic in the waist. That should work well and be easy! You look so great in that dress!!
Wow - what a transformation and it looks great on you! I'm going to a huge 'fill a black trash bag for £2' sale in a couple of weeks so I will be keeping an eye out for lacey things to transform!
I also just bought a skirt that others find really ugly but I just need to shorten it and I know it will be my favorite new skirt. Lots of people don't see the potential of certain clothes.
That dress s amazing and you look so wonderful in it!
ooh, i am addicted to lace, what a find! Aso love the 3rd picture with ribbons/collar...getting ideas of what to do with offcuts :)
Oh Missa, it's absolutely beautiful! You worked wonders with it. You obviously have a really good eye, to be able to see things like that and work out how it could be changed.
In reply to your last comment, thanks so much for keeping an eye out for the shoes, I really appreciate it! Also, I forgot to reply to your comment earlier about the chairs in Starbucks: yes, we did use them haha, even though there was a much comfier sofa right next to us..
Also, you reminded me, reallllly need to thrift a denim jacket!!
Beautiful job, Missa!
Martha B.
oh wow Missa! I want to go thrifting now, you know there are always these gaudy 1980s ankle length dresses that i overlook because i'm too lazy and impatient to do much in the way of DIY fixer uppers...but what you did sounds so easy and not so time consuming - and your results are soooo perfect!
you look absolutely stunning with your hair all done up like that and your kids-that-fits-you-like-a-charm jean jacket! and i love black tights with brown shoes!
oh its all just perfect!
way to go, you visionary you! adorable transformation!
I adore this--thanks for giving us non-seamstresses some hope! I love the idea of transforming a dress this easily. Your fixes, the belt, and the black tights really make this dress. Well done!
It's soo perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and it looks so lovely with all those pretty braids wrapped around each other!!!
Wow, it's so beautiful on you! You have the magic touch.
Now THAT'S my kinda DIY!
WOW what a transformation and no sewing?? You really are a thrifting genius.
you really transformed that dress! so beautiful!
you had a giveaway!!!! how did i miss that??!! i'm super bummed right now :(
all the lace photos are amazing. i love the spider web looking one, so cool!
you got me thinking of pretty in pink, so here's my favorite ducky line..."i'm off like a dirty shirt!" hehehe
Wow, you took something so matronly and really made it adorable! Love that you referenced Pretty in Pink here. :)
Wow, you totally improved that dress!! I think using the under layer for a skirt is a fab idea! Also, love the collection of pics you've included! Well done!
i looove this.
what an amazing transformation!
goodness, I am getting the yearning to swathe myself in lace curtains after reading this!
Awesome job on the dress, it's so lovely on you & I love how you paired it with the black tights & brown shoes :) I would love to go to those thrift shops in your area, the prices you've listed for your previous purchases are so cheap & affordable! :D Hope you are having a wonderful week!
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What an amazing transformation! I love that it can be a simple, dressy look or more casual with the denim jacket. Just a beautiful find (and revamp).
so fantastic (already commented on flickr too - lol). I'm not sure how to turn the bottom part intoa skrt, how long is the lace there?
you are speaking my language...and you look terrific! i have done much the same thing with those huge old lace dresses before, too. and always love black tights with light lace. you are totally giving me ideas of what to wear tomorrow....
pretty pirate has the same thought as i do on the easiest to make a skirt out of the lace flounce on the underdress.
i'm going to look through my stuff for Clover-worthy items. i have an adorable vintage nightgown that may be a little big for her now, but she may just have to have waiting in the wings for the next growth spurt...
Wow that dress is stunning! Great job on the alterations. I love how you altered it with no sewing. I recently did that with one of my own dresses and it turned out great.
I have an old lace wedding dress in my closet but it unfortunately might remain there as I'm pretty sure it requires a bit more sewing:)
xoxo
Lisa
Starship Narcissus
Love the way you've made that fab find your own, it's lovely.
Marie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge
OWOH necklace giveaway
Wheeeee! I won your giveaway? Oh what fun fun fun! I love happy mail, but I think I love thrifting for gifting even more! I'll let you know when I run my own little gift-away; it will be after this weekend - we're moving Friday to our dream house in the country!
As for that dress? A-MA-ZING! I'm not so good at looking at a garment and thinking, "snip here, belt there, and voila!" or if I do see the potential, I'm not so good at making it reality. You, on the other hand, are quite talented - GIFTED, even. ; )
xox,
Susan
Beautiful! I'd also been having a love affair with lace, thinking I was the only one and then realizing that I'm seeing it everywhere. Your alteration is inspiring.
That dress is GORGEOUS! Okay, I seriously need to find a lace dress too.
xx
The dress looks amazing. It's the most dramatic 'no sew' transformation I've ever seen! and I LOVE your lace inspiration pictures too!
P.S I was very sorry to read about your cat. :( x
love. it. i gasped when the picture loaded, and then went on to find out you altered it yourself! i am very, very impressed with your skills! this post is way inspiring. now i'll be on the lookout for projects. thank you for sharing!
Ooh, I sure do love me some lace! In fact, I'm wearing a lace top today with my dress :)
I love what you did to this dress. It's amazing the gems you can find in the thrift stores that are a bit frumpy but just ooze potential. Good eye, Missa!
there are just too many ways this is wonderful for me to even know where to start! it's a DIY post, an inspiration post, a trend post, a thrift post... EVERYTHING! i was just trying on a cream lacy dress in anthropologie and wishing i could find something similar at the thrift. i'm so happy for you - it looks amazing!!!!
you did a great job with that dress!
pretty girl!
I love the other photos too.
xx
Wow!!!! This is an amazing post! I love love love your outfit and perfect collection of inspiration pics. You have such a great eye and natural style ;)
The DIY dress turned out beautiful!
I'm loving the picture of the bazillion ribbons in placeo of tie. Such a good idea :)
http://roxxybelle.blogspot.com
i adore this dress & the great changes you made to it! i'm also really loving lace meself. love the lacy photo series, so beautiful!
Wow, you did that dress such service!!! I love how you made it your own!
I'm not a lacey fan myself, but there's always a time and a place where it should be slipped in :) I actually wore a little in my last post! And I love the shot of the dainty collar and ribbons down the front!
Lovely!!!!
Seriously great job on the transformation. I'm impressed!
For the skirt, a simple elastic casing will do the trick. Just pick up some 1/2" non-roll elastic. Fold over the top of the skirt about 3/4" and straight stitch around. Leave an opening (or cut one) to run the elastic through (with a safety pin attached to the front end to "guide" it through.) Stitch the elastic down and voila! P.S. For a good fit, measure your waist, then cut the elastic 2 1/2" shorter than your waist.
Hope this helps!
Parfait! I will have to find a dress next time I am at goodwill if I have a dollar or two to spare :)
Beautiful lace post! You look great in your transformed ugly duckling now a lovely swan and wonderful inspiration shots. With the hat on the hook in the background and the black tights with brown shoes I am getting a "Picnic at Hanging Rock" vibe.
SERIOUSLY brilliant! from blah to viola! so gorgeous, now I'm going to be eyeballing all those "golden girl" silhouettes for diamonds in the rough! thank you!
wow you like so pretty! xx
oh my! what you have done with this lace dress is just amazing. i love it. i have a deep affinity for pale lace and this is jut gorgeous!
-lauren
http://www.deargolden.com
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