refashion: boring menswear to sophisticated skirt and top
Saturday, September 22, 2012 at 06:00AM The second week of So You Think You're Crafty is wrapping up, and my project tied for first place this week. Here's what I made (tutorials now available! find the blouse here and the skirt here):
On any visit to the thrift store you'll find miles of mens' slacks and button down shirts. Lots of very boring menswear castoffs. For the refashion challenge I wanted to see if I could turn some cheaps duds from the thrift store into a sophisticated, feminine outfit.
I spent $5 on a pair of black slacks, $3 on a cream button-down shirt, $1 on a plain brown belt, and used half of a $2 lace curtain panel - making the entire cost of my new ensemble $10 plus tax.
I started with the top, turning a boring button down into a lacey blouse. I turned it around, putting the buttons down the back, cutting new sides seams and adding bust darts, then covering the entire front with lace. I took off the sleeves and cut new ones, gathering them at the shoulder and elbow to add a bit of fullness for a retro feel. Finally, I used every last scrap of leftover fabric (including the original collar and sleeve cuffs) to make a peter pan collar.
Next came the skirt. I unpicked the inseam of the pants, cut them off just below the knee, then sewed new front and back center seams to create a skirt. Then I tried it on and did some taking in to get a more tailored look, including kick pleats on each side, to reinforce the retro feel.
I just needed a belt to complete the outfit, but all I could find at the thrift store was a plain brown belt. So I pulled out some aqua spray paint, crossed my fingers, and went to town. I used very light coats of spray paint and it worked perfectly! Now I have a completely new outfit, refashioned from something old, for $10.
Linking to some of these great parties:
Monday: Skip to My Lou | Brassy Apple | Craft-o-Maniac
Tuesday: Tip Junkie | Ladybug Blessings | Sugar Bee Crafts | The Blackberry Vine | Hope Studios | Funky Polkadot Giraffe | Not JUST a Housewife | Homework Today's Assignment: Be Inspired | Shwin and Shwin
Wednesday: Handy Man, Crafty Woman | Southern Lovely | Sew Much Ado | SNAP | Someday Crafts | The NY Melrose Family | Printabelle
Thursday: Somewhat Simple | House of Hepworths | Momnivore's Dilemma | The Shabby Creek Cottage | Yesterday on Tuesday | Fireflies and Jellybeans | The Taylor House
Friday: Chic on a Shoestring Decorating | The Shabby Nest | Stuff and Nonsense | Naptime Crafters | It's a Hodgepodge Life | At The Picket Fence | 504 Main | Blissful Bucket List
Weekend: Tatertots and Jello
Reader Comments (6)
Wow!!! You did an AMAZING job on those clothes!! I can't believe they started as mensware! Thanks so much for sharing your talents at the Tuesday To Do Party!
Smiles!
Jami
www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com
Wow these refashions are amazing! Great job!
Lauren
laurenphd.blogspot.com
Super pretty, I can't believe it came from that shirt! Nice work!
Wow! I am so impressed with your mad skillz! You are the woman. Plus, I wish I had thought of your blog title! haha. You are too cute. I am your newest follower. Found you through HoH link party. xoxo
What a cute outfit! You did a great job on the refashion and I had no idea you could spray paint belts. I'm going to have to try that. :)
This is fantastic! I would love to feature this on Reduce, Reuse, Upcycle. Feel free to stop by and grab a featured button. Thanks!