January - February Alteration Projects

I joined LJP in no-buy January (a first for me). So, with all that free time I decided to sort my alteration projects. Some will be expensive, some not and some I can do myself. There are sleeves and hems to shorten, plus some other, more creative pieces. I need to get it organized, though.

These are two items I’m unsure about. Both new, with tags and not cheap. Selling more expensive stuff on Poshmark is always problematic, especially if it’s not trendy.

1. Burgundy 100% silk tunic from Eileen Fisher. Originally bought as an evening top to wear over pants and a camisole but ended up at the back of my closet. The fit and the color are good on me but the length is odd. Cutting it to a hip length is an option but I think it might look too blah. I already posted it on Poshmark but surprisingly EF is not that popular. Any suggestions?

2. 100% Silk top from Vince. Love the fit, fabric is nice, not see through. Bought to wear with cotton pants to the office pre Covid. But cream color looks too dressy for my lifestyle now. I have one pair of a special occasion pants and they are black. Not loving it together. I can attempt to dye it. I would be too scared to use high temperature water but might just submerge it in a cold water dye and get it tinted, ok if it comes out uneven and blotchy. I’m not looking for more dressy tops, the goal is to make these possible to wear casually.

What do you think? Or should I just try to sell both?

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3 days ago

avicennia

Veteran

Dye it! I’ve found that silk takes dye beautifully and evenly (if you wet the garment first and stir continuously). I’m also planning a few alterations for January and have two blouses I want to dye.

Sal

I think 1 I would wear as is or sell. Whilst not trending I do think it would be nice with cigarette pants.

I agree with dyeing 2. Olive or slate
Blue could be nice. I actually think you could wear with denim and sandals for a smart casual look? It’s a nice shape and I could see it looking great on you.

Star (Lise)

Funny I can certainly see both of these items on you in informal outfits. I could be wrong but maybe because you bought these for formal wear you not seeing the informal possibilities. While I have cut tops successfully these are gorgeous pieces that could be spoiled. Why not try styling them once more forgetting they silk, forgetting your original intentions with them, and put them with you regular looser bottoms. I think they could look fab and be regular versatile pieces. If you are stiil unhappy do the dye job as that, with care, will probably work out for you. If you do cut the tunic and choose the length wisely it probably will be a versatile piece. I cut a tunic successfully. Hhm not so much help am I. I think I'm just saying be sure before you do the deeds as I can see the potential in your closet.

2 days ago

Janet

(website)

I’m not a tunic fan (they look awful on me so it’s just my bias), but I do think the length of the first top is what makes it unique. I could see layering it over wide leg pants and with a jacket over top to play up the sheerness…but that’s not an especially casual look. If you don’t find the idea of that top in a shorter version immediately appealing or useful, I’d let it go.

I hear you on the color and potential dye job on the second one. I have an expensive silk top that somehow acquired stubborn little dark stains at the cleaners, and I ended up buying a duplicate when it went on sale. I still have the stained one and have thought of just dyeing it and seeing what happens!

cat2

Belt the tunic to give it some shape. Wear both with a mix of casual pieces.

LJP

Those are both beautiful pieces, but they also strike me as quite precious (delicate for every day wear). If it were me and I hadn't worn either, I'd sell them/pass them on. But if you feel like taking on a project, have the tunic shortened a bit. And wear the ivory blouse with denim and don't worry about its delicate nature.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I'll be the spanner!

I think you should try to sell both items as they are. They will be perfect for someone else. Drop your prices, perhaps?

kkards

Re Eileen fisher can you sell it to them? I know, at least in the US, they sell preloved on their own site.

And I know it more work, but and I don’t know why I think it, but I feel like Eileen Fisher would sell better on eBay.

Irina

Kkards, thanks for suggesting eBay. I don’t shop on eBay but I’m going to think about opening an account to sell my clothes there.

EF gives $5 gift card when you drop a used piece at their store in US. I don’t know if we have it Canada but I would rather donate well used item. This one is brand new.

Avicennia, good luck with your alterations! Keep us posted.

Star, I hear you on possibly ruining beautiful pieces. I will not be comfortable to wear these items out and about, too dressy.

Janet, your thoughts on the tunic are exactly what I think. And this is how I wanted to style it for a special occasion. But I have very few opportunities to dress like that now and need to weed out my evening wear capsule. A.so, some of layered looks overwhelm my petite frame.

Cat2, thanks but I don’t wear anything belted.

LJP, it’s not that I worry too much about delicate fabric, I wear silk often in the summer. It’s more about the look, even with denim, it’s too dressy for my style aesthetic. The Vince top might be ok in a darker color.

Angie, yes. I listed EF tunic on Poshmark but going to drop the price on it.

Thank you all for your suggestions. I don’t have a decision yet but thinking of selling EF tunic and dye Vince top green or brown.

Jenni NZ

I hope you can sell the first one as is if you drop your price a bit. I believe that Poshmark has a lot of options available for purchase? You would think new with tags should go eventually but I understand feeling sore about what you paid originally.
I’m with Angie though, surely it would be perfect for someone? I still like and wear a few tunics with my favoured slim pants. I realise they’re not the latest thing but enjoy the silhouette on me.
The colours you’re thinking of for the Vince top sound gorgeous. I vote green!

Jaime

I would not rule out altering either one, but only if you think the resulting item would be something you would buy today.
I do think it is actually becoming harder to sell items on poshmark and the like lately. There is just so many more options than there used to be. I would consider giving them to a local consignment shop.

Brooklyn

Have you thought about making the tunic hem asymmetric? It looks long enough and would give it a different feel.

Re: dyeing silk. Silk takes the dye really well. I would dye it at 40C (not 60), and try not to keep it in the dye bath too long. You might lose some lustre. Also, a cream base makes an over dyed colour look more dusty than a white base. Just something to keep in mind when choosing your dye colour.

Jenni NZ, thanks!
Jaime, I’m relatively new to Poshmark, from 2023. There is so much there! Our local consignment stores are not great, too many of them. I’ve heard that even The Real Real experiences difficulties. It’s definitely a buyer market. You’ve made an interesting point - would I buy these items today in their altered form. Probably not and this realization makes me pose.

Brooklyn, thanks for your advice re dyeing silk. Years ago I dyed a red silk blouse darker. I liked the resulting color but silk lost its luster and a bit of softness. I thought it was my mistake although I followed the instructions. Re: asymmetrical hem. I already have one silk asymmetrical tunic. Not sure I want another.

Thinking of selling both at the reduced price. Need to try on the cream top once more.

Suz

I think selling at reduced price is your first bet. If that doesn't work, then consider dyeing #2 and altering #1 if you think you might wear it.

I ended up altering my silk Vince dress into a blouse and I wear it as a blouse more often than as a dress -- dress was above the knee and I would not wear that way. But I loved the colour the neckline, and the sheer sleeves. It was layered like your tunic. So the alteration did work for me. I don't wear it "casually" but I do wear it for going out to dinner, etc.

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