Thrifting and alteration: skirts and dress

Every summer we visit a second hand store at the north and it is always lots of fun stuff (furniture, clothes, toys etc etc). This year I found two vintage items: a white (!!) shirt and a red dress. The white shirt is made of gabardine(?), I think and was too long, so I got it hemmed. DH wanted me to keep the red dress, though I was a bit on the fence - I like it and it is fun, but when do I wear it? The dress was also shortened and darts were made in the back. And after some rounds on YLF on the blue/white dots dress, I got it altered to a skirt. Very happy about that, but autumn is around the corner, so will probably not wear it until next year.

Non of these are styled.

#1 white skirt and dotty skirt
#2 dotty dress before altered
#3 Red dress with different belts and sans (just to show you the cut)

What do you think? Suggestions on when to wear the red dress?

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13 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

Harmonica I can see the appeal of the red dress, however on its own, as is it reminds me of an old fashioned waitress dress:). I think you may need to play up the retro vibe a bit. Have to get ready for work but will have a think and pop back.

Kirti

(website)

The top and skirt look great I agree with Deborah about the dress

harmonica

Thanks for looking, Deborah and Kirti!

I'm really happy about the two skirts and surprised myself by buying the white one since I've always said that I can't wear white bottoms because I get stains within 5 mins. But I've been so inspired by all the white bottoms this spring/summer that I thought a $2 skirt was worth trying.

Hahaha - old fashioned waitress! Maybe it can be my serving-cake-to the-kids-on-birthday-dress *giggle* I guess I can wear the red dress for family events and maybe meeting with friends, but I need to do some smart styling. It is too far out for work wear (though no-one cares when I'm alone in my office) The fabric is "woolish", but no tags so I'm not 100% sure. BTW, I payed $2 for the dress too.

ramya

oooo I love that polka dot skirt now :)...

About the dress hmmm family events is a good idea... I like how every one dresses here for family events:)...
With some nice styling I think that dress would work

Lyn D.

I am thinking that the dress might be 'up-dated' with short booties and a contrasting scarf. If you are not a scarf wearer a fitted topper with a more modern feel might do the trick?
The spotted skirt is gorgeous!
Oh, and I prefer the dress with some sort of belt too.

Thanks Ramya! What's the difference between dressing for family events in Norway and India? Never been to India, nor to an Indian family gathering, so just curious

Lyn D.: I really think you are on to something with adding a modern twist to the dress. I wear scarves all the time, but I'm not sure which colour and style would be best, because I find the dress a statement in itself. Could a denim jacket or a blazer work as a fitted topper? I could also try a cardi for a softer look. And shoes... - always hard to find the right ones. I do have black booties, pumps and ballet flats

Happy you both like the dotty skirt

We wear much more traditional clothes to family events.. It is not like here
Here what I see is even if on the streets if the people are so casual but they are much more dressed for family events :)...

here is one of the family event snap...

This was for a family dinner

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KathyL

Great job with turning the dress into a skirt! It looks great. I've also jumped on the white bottoms wagon. The white skirt looks good on you. I like ge red dress belted and I think a denim jacket would be great.

Wow - absolutely stunning, Ramya! Beautiful colours and textures! We have the national costumes, but only wear them on the national day (May 17th) and sometimes at Christmas eve and weddings. Yes, I must say that family events are far more casual here

Traci

Definitely give it a try with jackets.

I think it would also be a good thing to wear to events at the kids' school...meet the teacher, school plays, etc. It definitely needs the belt. I think I prefer the white belt.

The white shirt and skirt are going to be great building blocks . I'm adding shades of white into my wardrobe for the first time in over ten years.

Thanks KathyL and Traci!

Yes, I could definitely see the red dress at school and kindergarten events! Thanks for the suggestion.
Good to know I'm not the only one being late to the white party I've always had lots of black and blue in my wardrobe, but white or cream seems to add a crisp and fresh vibe I really like. Not so depressing, in a way And as long as the garment can put up with laundry, I'll give it a try.

I like the white belt on the dress and I think a denim jacket over the dress with the collar popped would look really cute. I'm also picturing a knit jacket with a tie belt over it?

Thanks Deborah for coming back! I really like both ideas of denim jacket and knit jacket. They give a structured look think would be just as good as a cardi. Though I don't have a knitted jacket.

Would my beige utility jacket be too much contrast?

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