WiW blue and white summer dress (to be purged?) ETA: alter to skirt :)

I wore this vintage dress that I found in a second hand store last autumn, but I've had issues with it for a long time. Something is not working, though I don't know exactly what. I'm supposed to replace the strings on the shoulders, but have not got it done yet. Anyway, this time I felt it was too short. There is something about the flare that could work better with some more length. That said, I'm looking for a replacement, but have not found any yet. I think this dress is leaving the house when summer ends.

Shoes - I wore gladiator sandals, but ballet flats might have been better?

Honest comments / suggetions are welcome!

Vintage dress
White tee
Vintage belt
shoes #1: gladiator sandals / #2 bright ballet flats / #3 neutral ballet flats

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13 years ago

merwoman

Veteran

Cute dress! I like bright ballet flats with it best. Length looks ok to me -I don't think it would like right longer, to my eye. I hear you about the sleeves - I need a better detailed view of them.

Anonymous

I'm not crazy about it, either, even though I adore polka dots. It doesn't fit right or flatter - toss!

Suz

(website)

It's a cute dress, but with the sleeve detailing might be a bit too "cute" for your style. Still, it really appeals to me. I wonder if it could be made sleeveless? I think it would work really well then. I like it with the bright flats best.

I don't like how the straps are formed from those big triangles. It isn't flattering to you. Other than that, the dress is cute, and I don't think it is too short.

Turn it into a skirt? Throw a denim jacket on top? There is something really nice about it, but I know what you mean. Things I loved a few weeks ago in my wardrobe are starting to get on my nerves.

KathyL

I like Claire's idea of turning it into a skirt or somehow covering the shoulder part. I think the length is fine and I like the bottom half. The shoulder area with the straps don't look right to me.

Jyoti

I agree in that the top half is problematic. I think it's a strange cut with the large tapering triangles while also being a bit blousy on top. I might like it a bit more if the top was more fitted or the neckline was different.

Beth Ann

You're refining your style, that much is clear. No reason you can't enjoy things for the moment that may not have a permanent home in your closet. I love this color for you, and I like crisp, but ladylike vibe. Usually, I like it when you put a little "edge" in. But in this case, I like the colored flats best. Maybe I'm just in a mood for pretty. Pretty is always in!

I love the skirt but the top seems too loose? Maybe an edgy jacket to toughen it up. My fav shoes are the bright red flats

I think keep it with some tweaking

jayne

the length is good. First I would use a red belt to go with the red shoes. And skip the Tshirt and uses a blouse or a topper. You can try to make it into a skirt and then use the T shirt as the top. I think that would work.

harmonica

Thank you for great input!

Suz - it is sleeveless, but are you thinking of removing the top part of the triangles and make it stay put over the chest area, without straps (sorry for bad explanation! language comes in between..)

Ceit - thanks for pointing out the big triangles! They are bothering me!!!

Claire - YAY for skirt!! I love this idea!!! Can I do it myself? I do have a sawing machine, but are not competent

Jyoti - more fitted top and different neckline is what I'm aiming at. Thanks for putting it down in words!

Beth Ann - edge is a part of my rubric (though I don't have one ;-))

ETA: Will keep this dress, but make it into a skirt! Very happy about that solution, but do you think it would be a difficult task? My sewing skills are at low amateur level

Yay for turning it into a skirt! I have done that a few times with dresses. Well, I had someone do it for me. My sewing skills are nonexistent level.

Transcona Shannon

LOVE LOVE LOVE the idea of this dress being turned into a skirt! I love the bright blue colour and the pattern but somehow the top portion doesn't fit right. Is there someone with more advanced sewing skills that could do this for you?

I'll have to take a closer look at the skirt (well, dress to be skirt ;-)), but I have a few options of professional sewers that definately could do it

ETA: I came to think of another dress too, so will make a post later to see if it can be saved into a skirt or altered to a nice summer dress (though pattern might get too 80's vibe...)

Sara L.

I think the dress to skirt idea is great. The top part doesn't look like it fits right but I love the navy with white polka dots. I think you could get a lot of use out of it as a skirt.

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