Ladies, can we all agree from the get go, that this is one uuugly dress! It's a vintage Leslie Fay, multicolored hounds tooth print, with 3/4 length sleeves and an elastic waistband. It just doesn't get any worse than that. Oh, wait a minute, it does. It has a matching fabric belt and shoulder pads, which I promptly removed.
Have you ever encountered something so astoundingly hideous, that the feeling of repulsiveness actually turns to fascination? After circling the thrift store three times I finally allowed myself to touch this thing. Holding it between my thumb and forefinger, I inspected it and came to the conclusion the previous owner(s) probably realized their mistake in purchasing it and never wore it, because it looks new. I figured I'd do the same. I plunked down two whole dollars for this
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| This is how I look when I don't smile. |
I topped it all with a vintage wool fedora (Charles Knox, thrifted). I know, I know, I'm going out of order. The hat should be last, but with a dress this ugly who cares. The length is awkard, so I already knew leggins were part of the equation. And the bacelet...I didn't intend to wear it with this outfit, I just forgot to take it off for these photos.
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| Do you need a barf bag yet? |
Next, I slipped on a French Cuff olive green jacket (thrifted) to pick up the olive green in the dress. By the way, the dress colors are: blue, olive green, forest green, black and red...horrid!
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| How's this for a man repeller? |
I pulled on some black a.n.a mid calf booties (thrifted).
...added a wide belt for definition.
...wrapped a coordinating scarf (via Bakers shoes, clearance)... grabbed a vintage Ettiene Aigner clutch (thrifted) and/or controversial art book by Joel Peter Witkin (estate sale).
I'm now ready to head to my locally owned coffee shop, sip on a chai tea and pretend to have intelligent conversation. My husband said it looks 'very European'. I think that's his way of saying he likes it ??
You're probably thinking, "Sheila, all you did was cover up the dress. Why not just make a skirt out of it?" I admit it's kind of like just putting a bag over it's head, but if I convert it into a skirt... well, all I'd end up with is one uuugly skirt.
Linking up with Patti and the ladies at Monday Mingle.
Linking up with Patti and the ladies at Monday Mingle.
Update: I'm submitting this dress to Sheila of Ephemera's Dress Week of Horrors. Check it out!
You have done wonders for this dress Sheila! I have to admit, I didn't think it was that bad before, maybe could use a little tailoring but it had potential. But now you look ready for some fun traveling! Well done my friend!
ReplyDeleteOnce you put the belt on, I was seriously wowed. You did such a great job. I actually did like the pattern from the get-go but it was overwhelming but just peaking out under the coat is the perfect amount.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Christina. When you put on that belt you lit up! I love this creative post. You put a lot of work into and I can really appreciate that. Love seeing the transformation into your Euro chic self. I'm often drawn to uugly because it has such an appeal sometimes. But honestly those pieces I have a tendency not to keep for long because I second guess my decision later. After my daughter gives me a hard time about it. ;)
ReplyDeleteAs a skirt it's actually really cute. But as a dress--it hurt my eyes!! For $2 it was alot of entertainment!!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome post! I love how you transformed this dress into a swan. Every scroll-down I was wondering what you'd try next. Creative fashion fixing, you're a genius.
ReplyDeleteYou cracked me up. Right when I was thinking, "Uh, you covered it up!" you wrote that you did. But you made the darn thing so fabulous and the central figure of a great story. Well worth $2.
ReplyDeleteBut I'll admit the first photo was a SHOCKER...lol. I remember Leslie Fay dresses well and probably owned one, and there's probably a picture of me wearing it somewhere that I should find and burn...
I think you could take any piece and make it divine after watching what you did with the Leslie Fay. Also, I liked your order! Doesn't an outfit always start with a hat?
ReplyDeletethe prints on your dress are really cute!
ReplyDeleteA
xx
http://epiquemoi.blogspot.com
Whoa--you just taught me a great styling lesson. I began to see it all come together with the belt and then the scarf! And the thrifts are full of similarly abandoned Leslie Faye's!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a magical transformation. The end-result is really chic. And I like your header.
ReplyDeleteThat was great! Amazing actually. I never would've believed you could get to first base with that dress and holey moley, you showed step by step how you achieved gold. Thanks for the lessons.
ReplyDeleteWow - you really transformed that dress! Lots of ideas here for me to borrow : > Love the hat, belt and scarf. Thanks so much for sharing your awesome-ness with Visible Monday!
ReplyDeleteYup, that's genius styling. I loved the theatricality of the transition, too. And your new header is WONDERFUL!!
ReplyDeleteLove this. Genius! Nicely done.
ReplyDeletei love how you and your dress get more and more yourself on each picture following. the fabric is beautiful from the beginning, but only your attitude and your styling brings it to bear. you are so chic!
ReplyDeleteHaha great post! I loved how you transformed the dress with the use of the trench and super accessorising!
ReplyDeleteAs I scrolled down this post, I could not believe the fabulous transformation this dress underwent! You have a gift, my friend, one that I wish I possessed. I think the last shot, with the belt, hat, jacket, and so forth does indeed make for a very European look! Your husband is correct! I love the outfit and I must be frank, I never thought it would be possible to transform this little gem! But you did it! Kudos to you! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are hilarious fun and you can also do magic, you are a true entertainer - a very stylish entertainer!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely adore how you styled the dress, you look amazing!
ReplyDeleteYay! I LOVE how you styled this!!! This is what I preach to my styling clients. It's not what you wear, it's how you wear it. You look so perfectly layered, Sheila. Thanks for commenting on my blog so I could find yours! ~Sarah
ReplyDeleteThis was a fun post! The dress definitely has some potential. You rocked what you had to work with :)
ReplyDeletei love that you saw the potential that the dress had - well done!
ReplyDeleteChic on the Cheap
You made it faaabulous!! Well done, yet again. You are my thrift inspiration!
ReplyDeleteHeather
fashionable40.blogspot.com
I actually like the dress! Love how you styled it =D
ReplyDeleteit's actually really fun!
ReplyDeleteXo Megan
You made it look good. I think a skirt is not such a bad idea.
ReplyDeleteTurning it into a skirt was brilliant. For some reason I never think of that, but I will now.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, that is one ugly dress but you tarted it up something fine! I quite like the colors. If I had found it I would have probably shortened the sleeves and hem and maybe have attempted to open up the neck. Must find some cool scarves and start wearing my fedoras.
ReplyDeleteWow. You really made it look divine!
ReplyDeleteHow did you do that? It is hideous, but you made it look fabulous. Just found your blog and will now be back daily or so. Love your sense of color.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Do come back. You know never know what you may find!
DeleteReally like how you used layering to tone down the print and make it a little statement instead of an in-your-face mass of colours. It looks great :)
ReplyDeleteThis post is hilarious! I can't even believe you managed to make it look so good and unlike it's original self. xD
ReplyDeleteThanks Jyoti. I'm on the look out for more ugly dresses these days.
DeleteActually I don't hate the dress. Really, I don't. Unbutton the top few buttons and I'd wear it!
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not it doesn't button all the way up. It just closes like that on it's own. I may have to make a skirt of it yet.
DeleteYou did a good job styling the dress.Your beautiful smile.... Oh MY!
ReplyDeleteToday, I went to the beachfront with my children. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said "You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear."
ReplyDeleteShe placed the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but
I had to tell someone!
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