Thrift Store Thursday: The Sometimes Less is More Frock

July 22, 2010


I found this Calvin Klein dress at the thrift store last week for only $1! It was way too long and way too big. I liked the gauzy fabric and matching slip underneath. It has these tiers that are finished off with a white embroidery stitch. You can sort of see them in the close up photos.

I thought it might be nice to make a sash or some sort of ruffle embellishment but when I really thought about it I decided that less was more. The dress had some nice details already and I thought anything else might just end up looking busy so all I did was take in the sides and trimmed the bottom.
Now 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. 

There was an invisible zipper in the side of the dress. This makes taking in a dress somewhat trickier. To do fix this thrift store find, first I turned it inside out, pinned it to my body and took it off. But since the zipper was on the side I made a new opening in the back, used the old zipper and sewed it in the back. Then I stitched up the sides that I pinned to my form.
Finally I trimmed the bottom. I didn't even have to add a hem to this dress because each tier is finished off by an embroidery stitch. All I had to do was cut off the last tier.

Super easy!

35 {comments}:

Shirley said... Best Blogger Tips

I love what you did to this dress. It's a perfect summer dress for me!

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

A dollar!!!? My thrift store is way less thrifty (a dress like that would cost $8 where I am)
Cute result!

Vanessa Hewell said... Best Blogger Tips

So pretty! Why, oh why can't I have a thrift store with cool stuff nearby?!? Mine is expensive to boot.

Jessie said... Best Blogger Tips

Sweet! It looks lovely on you :)

Monica said... Best Blogger Tips

Really cute dress!!!!

Meg said... Best Blogger Tips

Very very pretty! I wish my local thrifts had nice things, but I never find anything except really worn-out stuff from the late 80s. That's small town life for you!

Aurora said... Best Blogger Tips

This dress is incredibly beautiful! You did a great job!

Emily said... Best Blogger Tips

Best looking dollar dress ever.

JuneBug said... Best Blogger Tips

Gorgeous. Do you have difficulty finding these great items or are you one of those lucky thrift shoppers who has those things just jump out at them??

Tennjenny said... Best Blogger Tips

I love this segment. I hope you continue to do it! (And please don't be so defensive about it!)

MMIMS said... Best Blogger Tips

Nicely done! But than I am not surprised. The dress looks wonderful on you.

Samina said... Best Blogger Tips

This has to be my favorite of your refashions! I love the lines of this dress & it looks fabulous on you. Of course, most of your stuff looks fabulous on you....

Elizabeth said... Best Blogger Tips

Absolutely gorgeous!

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

Oh, I love the color. Must get out my sewing machine! For real this time...

Monique said... Best Blogger Tips

No way! $1? For Calvin Klein? (even if it is thrifted) Awesome dress! Monique xx

Saerwen said... Best Blogger Tips

B.U.TI.FULL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Angela said... Best Blogger Tips

Really a $1.00?! Hehe.. that's awesome... very cute!

Kathleen said... Best Blogger Tips

Beautiful!

I'm so jealous! Anything with a name brand goes into special sections at my local thrift stores. Calvin Klein would be a $25 purchase!

Kellie said... Best Blogger Tips

it's gorgeous!! and for a $1, seriously!?!

Linda L said... Best Blogger Tips

Great deal--$1. I like what you did to this.

Grosgrain said... Best Blogger Tips

I know, right?! Just $1! I went on wednesday at the sal val. Mostly everything is half off. It was listed for $1.99 and I got it for $1. I wish I could take you all thrift shopping with me!

I once got an electric juicer in the box for only $4.99. I love my local sal val.

jessankney said... Best Blogger Tips

Love it! I definitely need to know where to shop to find such great deals.

b4thedoor.com said... Best Blogger Tips

What a great re-make! You have a good eye!

Hannah & Holly said... Best Blogger Tips

this is soo adorable! btw... did you ever pick a winner for the swimsuit giveaway?

Erin said... Best Blogger Tips

That is gorgeous! I love the new shape and the color!

Jo said... Best Blogger Tips

What a great dress! I love how the straps look like little cap sleeves. It's one of my favourite colours.

Jo said... Best Blogger Tips

What a great dress! I love how the straps look like little cap sleeves. It's one of my favourite colours.

glam.spoon said... Best Blogger Tips

wonderful job! although I agree, your work was mostly alterations, I still think you can take credit for a bit of a refashion. after all, length is a design choice. :)

mommy Orkid Belle said... Best Blogger Tips

Beautiful blue dress!

Sisters of Grace said... Best Blogger Tips

very very Cute I love it!

♥Michelle

Casey said... Best Blogger Tips

Just out of curiosity how come you always clarify that when you alter clothing to fit you that they aren't refashions?

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

Love it.. can't believe you scored it for $1! Amazing!

Abbie_normal said... Best Blogger Tips

Lovely color! I think I live in too small, too rural an area to have such lovely things as this. I'm a huge thrift store fan, but the quality isn't as high as the Goodwills and Salvation Armies of bigger cities that I've visited.

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

The gauzy, aqua color is gorgeous. I love the way the edges of the fabric are finished. Do you know what stitch is used to finish the hems? Can you post an extreme close-up of one of the finished edges? I can't really see the details in the posted photos.

Sisam said... Best Blogger Tips

just for a dollar? thats amazing! Where do you live?

 
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