Freckled Fright to Dotted Delight
I have another thrift store upcycle project to share with y’all. This was a super easy one that resulted in some serious sass. Maybe you remember this freckled fright that I shared back in August. I picked up this Zara dress for less than $10 on a thrifting adventure over the summer. I was drawn to the gorgeous shade of green and I am always a sucker for polka dots but the dress is two sizes too big. At first I thought I could belt it at the waist to make it fit better, but that put me squarely in the Land of Frump. As you can see from the photo below, leaving it unbelted merely moved me a few miles west to Dowdy Town.
I could have attempted to take the dress in like I did for this floral nightmare but there is a rather long side zipper starting at the waist that I just didn’t know how to work around for that kind of alteration. So I took my scissors and cut it straight up the middle to transform it from dress to duster just like I did for this ugly dress, this other ugly dress, this awesomely ugly dress, this stodgy mess, and this Mrs. Roper goes to Haight-Ashbury disaster. This green polka dot number is a little different, however, because it has the three buttons on the bodice part. I left them as is so I can wear it either buttoned up or buttons opened.
For this outfit, I wore it buttoned up with nothing but a bralette underneath for some extra sassiness. I love how the little cut out part just frames my belly button. Adding some more print and texture to the mix, I wore wide legged cropped trousers with a tiny blue pinstripe, olive green sock boots, a woven belt with a subtle chevron design, and this minty green straw hat that is making its first appearance here. I wore a really old green pendant necklace and earrings with shades of pine to maintain a mostly monochromatic outfit in jaded hues.
And just like that, with a few snips of the scissor blades and a couple of runs through the sewing machine, this freckled fright is now a dotted delight!
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Joining these Fabulous Link Parties.
Outfit Details: Duster-Thrifted Zara dress upcycled by me / Pants-Old Navy / Boots-Burlington Coat Factory / Hat-Wona Trading / Jewelry-Old
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
14 Comments
Michelle
I love, love, love these makeovers! This is another brilliant upcycle. “Mrs. Roper Goes to Haight Asbury” OMG! I’m dying.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Michelle! Hahaha I was cracking myself up with that Mrs. Roper comment! I am currently obsessed with the multiple Mrs. Roper Facebook groups. They do all sorts of silly events where everyone, both women and men, dresses like the fabulous Mrs. Roper!
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
I had no idea such FB groups existed! How very cool.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh my goodness, these groups are so funny!
Nancy
Oh how I love green! I’m wearing ton sur ton today actually. What a great solution, that dress works very well. And you can make a bow! Love that! Great job my friend!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Nancy! I love the green, too. I also love the bow at the neck but I find them so uncomfortable that I rarely tie them. I hope you have a wonderful day, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Marsha Banks
This may be my favorite upcycle of all, Shelbee! I think it’s because it’s green and polka dotted! I think those three buttons were actually a wonderful gift to you because it just looks so cool buttoned up! And, I do love stripes and dots together! You are the Queen of Upcycling!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh my goodness, Marsha, thanks so much! I couldn’t pass up the green and white polka dot print, it’s just so darn cute. I am so glad I was able to turn this dress into something wearable for me!
xoxo
Shelbee
Suzy Turner
Absolutely love it, Shelbee! You’re getting so good at all this upcycling!!
Big hugs
Suzy xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Awww, thanks so much, Suzy! You have inspired me to try to make a circle skirt from a bedsheet next! Stay tuned.
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
Love it. Such a great job.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Patrick! Have a wonderful weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
barbara
that IS truly lovely!
make me one in every shade:):)
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Barbara! Ohhh, this would be a lovely duster in different colors. I am picturing it in purple, red, orange, yellow…
xoxo
Shelbee