Thift Store Thursday: The Modern Luau Frock

July 15, 2010

I tend to sew my Thrift Thursday's on Thursday morning so that's why I tend to post a little late. But that's how fast thrift store finds are to finish, just a few stitches and DONE!

Again, let me preface this series with a disclaimer. These are NOT refashions. Or at least I don't consider them to be. These are simple things that YOU can do to thrift store finds to make them look good.

If found this shirt for $1.50 at the Salvation Army. Yes, it was previously a SHIRT! See below pic. All I did was add a 6" piece of red material at the bottom. It was also a little large so I took it in on the sides.
If you find a great 'tunic' sized shirt at the thrift store, try adding a piece of contrasting material to the bottom. The ones that cinch in the back with a sash are the usually the best.

What I liked about the shirt was that it was a stretchy material. I've been leaning toward stretchy dresses recently. Not because I can't fit into my old clothes but because they're just easier to move in, right?! And since I'm staying at home more often, I have less reason to get all dressed up. But I still like to look nice so knit dresses are currently my new favorite. BUT, unfortunately, a lot of knit things are well....trashy. At least the inexpensive stuff is. So when I come across something that looks nice and is stretchy I consider it to be a good find.

33 {comments}:

Jenni said... Best Blogger Tips

Oh my goodness! That is amazing! I would have never, ever guessed that was a shirt before you converted it to a dress! It's gorgeous, and now I am inspired to try this! :) Thank you so much for sharing!

I hope you have a beautiful day!

Lara said... Best Blogger Tips

Good idea! Love it.
www.purplepinafore.blogspot.com

Keedah @Diary of a Style Addict said... Best Blogger Tips

I have a pile of thrift store finds ready to refashion as we speak. I tend to lean towards studs, spikes and bleaching lol

Monique said... Best Blogger Tips

Is the contrasting fabric that you added a knit also or a cotton? Looks great by the way! Monique xx

Metka: Matka said... Best Blogger Tips

great idea for a clothing recycling

Vintage Dutch Girl said... Best Blogger Tips

That's gorgeous. Seriously :) As in, I'm heading to my thrift store today gorgeous. Love the thick band of red at the bottom.

Jan said... Best Blogger Tips

What a great idea ,I have often seen shirts I fancy ...but ...hmm ,I will most certainly use this idea ..love Jan xx

michael ann said... Best Blogger Tips

i just discovered your blog from burdastyle, and i love it! so creative, i love all your ideas and bright colors :]

Jo said... Best Blogger Tips

Gorgeous dress! I love red and white lately...well, always, not just lately ;-) The fabric you added at the bottom is the perfect shade.

Erin said... Best Blogger Tips

I love it! I would never have guessed that it had been a shirt in a previous life!

Megan of Fabric Love said... Best Blogger Tips

This is beautiful! I want to make one myself. Now to find the right shirt...

Grosgrain said... Best Blogger Tips

Original Mischief,
No it is not stretch. I wanted to do the same material but I didn't get a chance to get down to the fabric store after the thrift store yesterday. Bad traffic, super pooped. So I just used a piece I had lying around for the post BUT I do plan on ripping it out and replacing it with the same stretchy material later.

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

Very nice! I wouldn't have known this was a shirt either.

Emily said... Best Blogger Tips

Love this!

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

What is a re-fashion??
c

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

wow! it looks amazing. Never would have guessed it was a shirt.

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

How adorable! That looks great on you.

Erica! said... Best Blogger Tips

Oh this is very cute! Good for you!!

Erica
danired922.blogspot.com
danired922.etsy.com

Petite Josette said... Best Blogger Tips

This is a great idea, so simple, and the result is very pretty. thanks for sharing !!!

Becky said... Best Blogger Tips

Adorable. I love it.

kms handmade said... Best Blogger Tips

Cool idea! Good for shirts currently in my closet too!

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

Okay Kathleen, I don't know what kind of thrift stores your town has, but I cannot find anything worth using for anything in my town! I take that back, I found a great big sheet that I think will make a great skirt for me, dress for my daughter, and maybe a shirt or two for the boys, but I have to completely start from scratch with that. How are you finding good fabrics and prints? All I find are cheesy and horrible synthetic! I'll keep on trying though. This one you did is so cute!

Sisters of Grace said... Best Blogger Tips

very cute!!!

♥Michelle

Nicole said... Best Blogger Tips

You make this look sooo easy! I went to our local Goodwills searching for something last week and totally struck out..you must have good thrift stores where you are! I looove this dress on you...gorgeous. Great job!

Julia said... Best Blogger Tips

Really cute!

Grosgrain said... Best Blogger Tips

Jenny,
I will admit that not all thrift stores are created equal. I go to the Salvation Army and Community Aid on a regular basis.

Our community aid is good for kids clothes and kids's equipment but the Salvation Army is better for dresses and adult clothes.

I think you have to consider who is donating. The Salvation Army is close to affluent neighborhoods in our area so the adult stuff is better. More J.crew, Ann Taylor stuff.

There isn't a Goodwill that's within 5 miles of my home so I don't go there often but a lot of them will resell Target merchandise that is damaged or doesn't sell so that's nice too. However, I will say that Goodwill's prices are usually higher than what I think 'thrift' stores should charge.

ButterPeanut said... Best Blogger Tips

what a clever idea! can't wait to try this myself.

Julie said... Best Blogger Tips

SO pretty!!

I have the same problem with finding really GOOD stuff at the thrift stores near my home, but have found some FANTASTIC stuff in more affluent neighborhoods.

Jacinta said... Best Blogger Tips

I agree that sometimes you need to go to the thrift stores in better areas to find some good stuff.
But great work on the frock... getting some ideas here!

www.modelmumma.blogspot.com

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

that's a very fun re-do :)

Katydid said... Best Blogger Tips

This is one of my favorite dresses on your site! So lovely -- I love the red Hawaiian print

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

Wow ! love it !

SusieQ said... Best Blogger Tips

I have this shirt. How cute.

 
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