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2012-01-02

New Year, Old Mistakes

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Dress? Thrifted and re-worked Shoes? Ash, Winners (here in grey) Earrings? Garage sale Tights? Zara

And just like that, it is a new year. Happy 2012!!! We spent New Year's Eve at home with a small and extremely elite group of family and friends. It was a low key night, except for that moment when my brother-in-law came out of nowhere to beat me in Settlers of Catan and those few minutes after midnight where I kept spraying champagne on our front porch... Other than that, just a relaxed fun. But even though the night was laidback, I didn't want my dress to be... The dress started like this, with a the potential of the well draped bow and beautiful colour hidden by too much fabric...

NYEbefore


Just like with my Christmas dress, I thought it would be a simple fix but once I got started, the scissors were flying. The hem came up (yes, way up...), the side seam got taken in, the sleeves were shortened, the overly heavy lining got trimmed down and then the back of the dress got a scoop. I didn't have a game plan as I did alterations (not recommended) and so I should have scooped the back and then taken out the access lining. That didn't happen in the right order and so I wasn't satisfied with how the scoop looked. Here's the full disclosure, instead of taking the time to redo it (ewwww....) I used a trick that any fashion design student knows well... I put some glitter on it. Sequins cover (and distract, unless you point them out like I am doing...) construction flaws. And here you thought sequins were just shiny discs that attracted your eye and opened your wallet. The more you know...

42 comments :

Nikki | The Ginger Diaries said...

eventhough you might not be 100% content with it I'd say you look pretty dang fabulous! I love it :) x

Secondhand Stella said...

I think you did an awesome job. It looks amazing on you!

Amy said...

That is a gorgeous dress! And your legs? Even more gorgeous! What is your workout secret??

Loulou said...

Wow, impressive dress make-over. It looks fantastic on you. I really like the little sequin decoration. One would think it was part of the master plan, rather than a crafty error hider!

Loulou Downtown

Unknown said...

that dress looks so great with the alterations! happy new year!

style-extraordinaire.com

HazelxJoy said...

Wow! These alterations are amazing.

April said...

Ahh...the art of distraction! Love how the dress turned out...plan or no plan, it looks fabulous! Happy New Year, lady!

Unknown said...

Im in Love Love Love with the altered dress!

Unknown said...

My goodness -- all the effort was well worth it, the dress is stunning! Love the side and back details and it looks hot with those shoes! Navy and bright pink is one of my favorite combinations. Your hair looks great too, I may be "pinning" this one ;)

Happy 2012!

two birds said...

Wow! Great work! What a gorgeous dress. It looks amazing on you. Happy New Year!

Ellie (Turquoise & Lime) said...

Lady, you have some beautiful legs! What I a dress, I love what you did with it. The back swoop with the bling bling is my favorite part. :) Keep up the good work! I'm a huge fan of your blog.

Turquoise & Lime

Terri said...

Your fixer-upper is absolutely beautiful! You've got the gorgeous gams, so you may as well show them off with pride!
http://stylishsass.blogspot.com

Healthy and Homemade said...

I think you did a great job, and it looks awesome super short! =D

Unknown said...

This is fantastic! I need to go thrifting with you one day...you always see the potential in pieces that look hopeless to me...I need to train my eyes to look for it!
I love what you did to the back...the sequin piece looks great!

Mikhaila said...

Before I got to the text I was thinking to myself "WHERE did she get that gorgeous dress!" I can't believe you transformed it like that...beautiful!

gleeps said...

Fantastic re-do on the dress! And is that a peek inside your closet? I recognize the black platform peeptoes from your blog banner. Did you put silver glitter on the heels of the fab black shoes on the top shelf, or did they come that way?

Bri said...

Even though you've just shared said "flaws" this dress remodel still looks stunning on you!

Unknown said...

Beautiful! Happy 2012.

http://shannonhearts.blogspot.com

Ani Barrington said...

You look incredible! Thanks for your honesty, too, about your alterations. I think they turned out beautifully. Happy New year!

whosthisani.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I love the redesign of the dress, especially the way the bow dips below the hem of the dress. Wish I had the sewing skills to rethink things...as I'm always coming across interesting fabric in my thrifting.

Unknown said...

I think that you did an amazing job refashioning this dress! You look amazing in it :)

xo Teresa
www.delightfullydarling.com

K. said...

Those sparkles are a fantastic trick...must try!! Hope to see more/hear more about your re works this year, you've got a knack for it for sure. Also, your glasses are adorable, do you mind telling us where you got them? ~Kerry

Anonymous said...

I love it! The sequens are the best part. Or maybe the bow.

Happy New Year!

Outside Looking In said...

Wow, that is an amazing altering job! Lovely dress!

www.wayoutsidelookingin.blogspot.com

GFS said...

YOu better do the damn thing Jen! Accident...coverup...whatever....this was a perfect outfit to bring in the New Year!

Happy New Year to my fave Canadian!

stephanie / those tricks said...

A party in the back new years outfit.
You look great!
Love the hair.

Kyla said...

Okay, my love for you has just quadrupled. Not because this dress kicks so much ass, but because you play SETTLERS!!! Now, I HAVE to come visit you :) Or you could come visit me ... you know, since you have passports and all :)

BmoreLoveLeigh said...

Two things - 1. How is that even the same dress?!?! 2. Will you take me thrifting? :)

www.bmoreloveleigh.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

The dress turned out fabulous. I recently tried to alter a dress I purchased from the thrift store, needless to say it is a fabulous shirt now!

Sydney said...

WOW! Great job altering this dress. I would have never seen what it could have been from your iPhone pic. I always give my alterations to my mom! I love the sequins on the back too and would have never known they were covering a mistake. :)

contrary kiwi said...

That is pretty awesome! Definitely a unique dress now :)

Amanda @ Life with A.Co said...

OMG WHAT!!!! This dress turned out BEAUTIFULLY (despite the hardships ;) - it's so fantastic to see the before shot and the incredible work you did. Wow. I love it and of course, you look stunning.

PS - saw the gold jeans at Joe Fresh last night and thought of you...

myedit said...

Kerri-the glasses are Gucci, from a few years ago already...

~Lara~ said...

Very talented! Even with the "construction flaws" it is gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

The legs are out again! : )

Anonymous said...

Love the drape and the bow! You look great! You're so talented with your DIYs

xo Jennifer

http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com

Kayla said...

wish i could be this good with a sewing machine! this looks AWESOME!

http://girlbhindthereddoor.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

wow - you have some courage going on there, girl! Scissors are definitely in good hands

Carol Lindsey said...

Great dress! how did you do your hair that way? It's fabulous!

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