Serious City Clothes

A couple of weeks ago I headed off to the 'big smoke' for a week.  Having lived in the country for almost 10 years now, when I head off to the city these days I always feel like a bit of hick in my casual country/beach garb.  So on the morning I was supposed to be driving to the city, I instead had a bit of a sewing frenzy and whipped up a couple of quick refashions so that I would feel like I had some new clothes for my week away.

The first item was this dress, which I felt when I bought it was pretty highly priced for a second hand item at $9.  But I thought the off centred layed front and unusual pocket were kind of cool, so I splashed out on this 'big ticket' item, even though I had no vision for it at the time.

Still not knowing exactly where I was going with this dress, one thing I did know was that I could take a few inches off each side.   The dresses style didn't really lend itself to being too fitted, so I decided not to make it very figure hugging.

By the time I had taken in the sides, I had worked out what to do with the hem.  I decided I liked that front 'flap' thingy too much to mess with it, so I figured it could stay its original length, and I would only alter the length of the under layer of the dress.  This would also allow me to have an asymmetrical hemline.  So I turned the dress inside out and turned the hem up so it would sit at an angle.  I then pinned it in place so I could try it on.  After I found a hem angle and length I was happy with I cut and hemmed the dress.

I was quite happy with the end result, and I liked the fact that this dress lent itself to the layered look.  

Dress: $9 (thrifted), Leather Belt: $2 (thrifted), Cardigan: $0 (hand-me-down),  Yellow top: $6 (sorry, fast fashion item from SES), Dr Marten Boots: $180 (last year from ebay - as new, second hand item), Jewellery: Presents from family  (Pirate Dreaming, Byron Bay - recycled cutlery).

I thought for something new, I will start putting pricing, and purchase information about each item of my complete 'after' outfits at the end of each blog post (kind of like they do in magazines).  While I love a bargain, you may notice that I don't mind an occasional splurge on expensive shoes, but I figure if  I choose these well, I tend to get years of wear from them, so price per wear ends up being pretty low in the long run.  I also try keep my shoe purchases green by finding specific styles I like in good second hand condition online rather than buying them new.