The lovely ladies in my favourite charity shop put this groovy House Of Lavinia sun dress aside for me when it was donated last week. I was so excited when they showed it me I kissed them all.
It may have been three sizes too big but that was no deterrent, I'd ripped the seams apart, cut off the excess fabric and put it back together again before 8am this morning, all ready for it's maiden outing.
A few years ago I'd had dithered at the prospect of hacking away at a pretty vintage dress, how times have changed. Having a blog is such a brilliant incentive to get things done and show them off. Check out everyone else's DIY attempts over on Lakota's blog.
The weather's fabulous here today so I'm stripping down to my bikini and cracking on with the gardening for the rest of the day. Long may it last.
 |
| 1970s maxi dress (£1.25, Salvation Army), original wood platforms (£9.99, eBay), '70s Madeira souvenir basket (£1.95) and crazy vintage sunglasses (75p, both Acorns Hospice), Huge wood bangle (a gift from the fabulous Amie) and Ganesh pendant (handmade by the gorgeous Krista) |
See you soon!
It's brilliant - you're such a whiz with the scissors and sewing machine, I'd never have guessed it started life 3 sizes bigger. Gorgeous spring-y colour too, you look every inch the green Goddess!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up xx
Bloody spectacular, as always - you are absolutely beautiful in that stunning frock, mi amor, and fearless with your scissors! Give those ladies a kiss from me too! Happy gardening. Love you more than sunshine on shoulders, Sarah xxx
ReplyDeleteGorgeous and just the thing for this beautiful day :-) You are so accomplished at dress altering!
ReplyDeleteWish I could be outside too... but I'm supposed to be working ;-)
yey at the UK finally getting some sunshine and some summer weather! That dress is gorgeous - I wish I could alter clothing, it's something I need to learn methinks!
ReplyDeleteWonderful work and a glorious colour xx
ReplyDeleteIt fits like a dream now, well done you clever sewer! Looks perfect on you, hope you enjoy the sun :)
ReplyDeletei so admire your seamstress skills vix. last night i was telling larry that you can make clothes out of drapery panels and drapery panels out of clothes!
ReplyDeletei am having a difficult time thrifting lately b/c all my normal shops are setting up vintage areas and the price tags are astronomical.
you look absolutely beautiful in this dress!!!
House of Lavinia - what a freakin' fabulouso name! Did it have an equally eye-catching label? Some of those labels are just as cool as the items they're sewn into.
ReplyDeleteLove how you re-styled the dress, especially the back. I'm with you about changing vintage clothes to suit; there's no point in having something relegated to the back of the wardrobe if it can be adjusted into something as gorgeous as your dress.
P.S. BTW - loving those turquoise sunnies, too!
xxx
You`re so brave for altering the awesome dress! And i can`t blame you for kissing the girls at the charity shop - I would be so happy to see such a surprise myself!
ReplyDeleteLucky you - get to wear a bikini already!!!
>".'<
I love that these shop owners save you gems like these! It's a tropical dream Vix and the back is super sexy and my favorite part. Enjoy your day in the yard wearing your bikini - I wish I was there cocktail in one hand book in the other:) can't wait to talk soon!
ReplyDeleteXxoo
Krista
Aaah, it's so stunning! The print is gorgeous. You're so lucky to have lovely ladies saving things for you! XO.
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised you kissed them all it's perfect! You are just too damn clever for words.
ReplyDeleteIt's perfect! I just love the glasses too Vix. I think I remember them from another photo and think about them sometimes when I'm looking at sunnies to buy.
ReplyDeleteHappy Gardening!
Such a fab colour on you , and you have prompted me to get on with my own. the dress I wanted never came above a vintage 12, so over a couple of months on ebay I found TWO, just got to piece them together now....
ReplyDeleteOooh well done with making it look fabulous, VIx!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying hard to be ruthless when it comes to wielding the scissors. The majority of my wardrobe doesn't fit me anymore, due to recent weight-loss and I'm trying to be brave and alter some of the favourite items in order that I can actually get some wear out of them.
Can you believe this weather? At last!
ReplyDeleteLoove that dress xxx
That is one fabulous frock, those ladies sure do have your taste totally sussed! I love the colour and the alterations you have made are just perfect, you look so radiant! xxx
ReplyDeleteI adore the dress, such a great colour and pattern! i'm glad you rescued it!
ReplyDeleteSeriously fantastic dress, well done on the alteration.
ReplyDeleteVix that dress is stunning. How clever to be able to take it in too.
ReplyDeleteLove the shades.
Dx
so pretty dress, lovely color and print, and absolutely matchy with your fabulous sunnies!, you look summery and gorgeous!
ReplyDeletebesos
I love that dress, the color is gorge!
ReplyDeleteThose sunglasses are kinda groovy, too!
xo
The colours on this dress are so perfect for today! xo
ReplyDeleteI love how the chairty shop ladies put things aside for you - they're your personal shoppers! This is beautiful and now fits you really well - I agree, you shouldn't feel too precious about altering a garment because its old. You've brought it back to life! xxx
ReplyDeleteRespect for having all that done by 8am this morning. Isn't this weather delightful, I'm enjoying cocktails in the garden. Long may it last indeed. Xx
ReplyDeletewahh you look lovely! Love the bangle with that outfit I knew you would style it up amazingly. I love that dress, props to you for chopping it up to fit you-it suits you down to the ground and I love it. Very much enjoy Lakota's blog too, found it through yours!
ReplyDeleteWill reply to your fb message tonight!
Much love Amie xxxxxxx
Wow you are so clever it looks gorgeous no you look gorgeous and i love the colour. This weather is wonderful long may it last its about time i have seen enough rain now to last me until next year ;-)) dee xx
ReplyDeleteYou look sensational in your new sundress. £1.25!!! what a bargain, it would have been a tenner down here. Love the lime green and the design, wish I had your talent for altering. x
ReplyDeleteWOWZA! Awesome dress I can see why you were in a rush to make the alterations and start wearing it.
ReplyDeleteThat's a beauty. Sometimes alteration is the only way...there's only so much you can do with belts! It looks fab on.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the sunshine.xxxxx
You are so clever with what you can do with a dress x
ReplyDeleteWhat a fab dress - perfect for summer! Now I can sew a bit better I am also looking at things that are "not my size" as I know that I could alter them to fit - opens up a whole new world in thrifty shopping :))
ReplyDeleteGorgeous fabric, and what a beautiful day to debut it xx
ReplyDeleteNice needlework.
ReplyDeleteCompleted by 8am? Wow, you're amazing! Fab dress my dear x
ReplyDeleteYou are a genius. I want your sewing skillz. :)
ReplyDeleteLovely shade of green. Gardening in a bikini sounds like a wonderful idea.
ReplyDeleteOh V ix what a fabulous frock!!! Good for you having the balls to cut it to fit!! Looks perfect on you ♥
ReplyDeleteYou are really talented with those scissors...I have that vintage India dress I am going to hack into once my machine arrives. Looks Fabulous ~Enjoy your Sunshine Love Heather
ReplyDeleteFabuloso Vix! A lovely lovely dress and how on earth could that be two sizes too big! Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteIt probably looks better than if it was your size, now you've cut it to your exact requirements. It's a great colour, I love the back and is perfect for this weather - well done ladies at the charity shop.
ReplyDeleteI bet they talk about you (fondly) in all the local charity shops. I went in every charity shop today and came home with nothing, not a single item. Unheard of for me.
Enjoy another sunny day tomorrow. I look forward to the return of my favourite Hawaiian dress..
Lucy x
As soon as the first pic popped up on my page I loved it and flashing my fav colour.
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love shop workers who know you well to set things aside.
Glorious sun frock,and what a fabulously great job you did of taking it in!It's pure green goddess perfection!YUMMY!! AND every detail is spot on! As always,you divine creature,you!
ReplyDeleteSO glad the weather has picked up for you!Enjoy that sunshine!!!
Love Helga xxxXXXxxx
How ever do you do it? It looks incredible on you.
ReplyDeletex x
You're so glam all the time! Even gardening in your bikini, I love it! That pattern is fantastic! It looks like a lovely cool dress for a day like today! xxx
ReplyDeleteWell done! It looks amazing on you!
ReplyDeleteThe ladies know you so well, Vix, and you did an amazing job! You're an inspiration... Really need to get my sewing machine out. xoxo
ReplyDeleteNow that is one gorgeous dress, bet you're pleased that you are confident enough to change things, well done on a good job. ♥
ReplyDeleteI'm still not brave enough to alter my clothes. might get my grandma to teach me some tricks so I can take the plunge! Looking fab as usual, glad you've been enjoying the weather, I'm trying my best to stay indoors and just revise but I think tomorrow I'm going to have to do it out in the open! x
ReplyDeleteOh baby, baby, baby!!! Yes to refashioning vintage especially when you do such a fantastic job of making it fit your damn fine bod!!!!! If I was shopping in the chazza that day I would have lined up for the snog-fest, so joyous was the occasion! I have a secret - my fave oppy had a half price sale yesterday and I'd been eying up an awesome cotton maxi with your name on it. Well, I snapped it up thinking it was way too tiny for moi and set to send it off to you but couldn't resist a try-on. It fit perfectly. Sorry darling but she's staying with mama. Sigh ... good intentions. xxxxxxxx
ReplyDeleteThat is the perfect summer dress!
ReplyDeleteVixcita,
ReplyDeleteYou look extraordinary in your Goddess frock!
Aww those ladies at the charity shop adore you, who wouldn't?
Your a magician when it comes to sewing and revamping.
Turquoise sunnies and bikini gardening=bliss.
Besotes
This is some dress and lucky you to have the old Ladies putting stuff aside for you, aren't they sweet!
ReplyDeleteGreen is one of your color, looks so gorgeous on you
Lucky spending the afternoon on the deck!
My turn in a couple of years, i will be on the deck full time!
Ariane xxxxxx
So fabulous! The color is fresh and I love your smile!!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to have a beauty like this dress on hold for you. I'm admiring the green color, the open back, and how it now fits you to perfection.
ReplyDeleteThe sexy back! ;)
ReplyDelete∞ © tanvii.com ∞
I really wish I had your courage and enthusiasm when it comes to altering vintage clothes. The dress looks fantastic, I always think fit is so important. A lovely colour and print too!
ReplyDeleteYour DIY turned out great! I created a shorter skirt out of a midi this week by whacking off the top rather than the bottom...but I'm still working on the waist. Happy sun soaking!
ReplyDeleteGardening in a bikini? I would never have thought it got hot enough to do that in the UK, but good on you for doing it! And congrats on the book appearance too, that's fantastic! (I note you decided not to wear a bikini for that, haha)
ReplyDeleteThe print is so gorgeous, it hurts! best glasses I have seen all year!
ReplyDeletex
How amazing is to restyle a dress in the morning!!It's a fantastic way to start the day!! So glad that finally the sun has arrived and your sun glasses look lovely especially when you smile!!
ReplyDeleteI'm busy but I can't wait to do some little scissors works to my dresses, you inspire me so much!!
kissesxxx
Visiting you has been like a breath of sweet garden air through my office, or is that my home, office/home... I don't even know which is which now. You are radiant. Good job with the scissors. You must have had a love-on with your seam ripper. It's brilliant how your red shoes pop out at the hemline.
ReplyDeleteAren't you clever, I am terrible at resizing things. So awful I never even attempt it! That colour is perfect for you, bright and sunny and colourful x
ReplyDeleteOh now that is amazing!!!! Revamped and looking like it was made for you!!!! Miss Vix you look so fresh and ready for summer.
ReplyDeleteLove v
It's fabulous. I can see why you were so excited. I love the sunglasses too. xo
ReplyDeleteGosh, you got that done BEFORE 8 am?? I am impressed! Gobsmacked, actually. I can't think of anything I got done before 8 am, other than open my eyes.
ReplyDeleteCheers from Rosemary
www.foreveronthecatwalkoflife.com
way back in the last century when we were silly roommates, my friend Allison and I used to name our vintage clothes. We would have called that dress "Springy Dingy"
ReplyDeleteHello gorgeous! I absolutely love this dress on you. You must be as sweet in person as you are on-line if you have charity shop ladies putting the special things aside for you. Lucky!
ReplyDeleteLoulou
You are such a whiz with your scissors and sewing machine - I don't have the skill to be able to rip anything apart and put it back together again. YOu did a wonderful job as it looks just brilliant on you; love the print and the colour.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous and talented! Your skills are endless! This dress is amazing, and how lovely is this weather??!! hope you're enjoying every minute of it! xx
ReplyDeleteYou look stunning! How kind of the charity shop ladies to keep it for you, and how clever of you to alter it so damn quickly! The print is spectacular, and that cheeky bare back is SO you!
ReplyDeleteHope you didn't wear yourself out doing the gardening, love! xxxxx
Wow, the print is amazing. I love what you've done with the dress. xx
ReplyDeletethose glasses...sigh. be still my heart.
ReplyDeletexo
k
Love what you did to this dress...the back looks sexy! Those crazy glasses remind me of the what my mom wore in the 70's... I loved them back then too!
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous I have a ton vintage frocks that need adjusting but I lack basic sewing skills! love the print of this green frock. xxx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful dress - i'd never be able to make it fit me and still look good!!!
ReplyDeleteSal x
Those ladies really sound fabulous; your very own personal shoppers!
ReplyDeleteThere was a time that I was unwilling to alter a vintage dress in any way, also. But I've come to realize that turning it into something that I will actually wear is so much better than shoving it in the back of the closet until the end of time. Cut away, I say!
You did a beautiful job with your new dress, and it's stunning on you. Stunning!
xo, A.