Refashion Dowdy Thrift Dress Into Cute Matching Set | Thriftanista in the City

6.05.2017

Refashion Dowdy Thrift Dress Into Cute Matching Set

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PurexCrystalFresh #CollectiveBias

Half off day at the thrift always puts me in a spending mood. I'm more likely to add questionable pieces to my cart. That's how I ended up with a very ill fitting dress with a nice print. Luckily, the elastic waist made it very easy to turn the dowdy dress into a chic matching skirt and top set.

refashion thrift dress
Before starting a makeover with thrift store clothes, obviously a good wash is necessary. I take my haul from thrift store directly to the laundry room to remove those stapled on construction paper price tags. Then, I sort and start the process of removing the classic thrift store smell.

thrift style fashion

I recently added Purex® Crystals in wash fragrance booster to my regime. They provide a great scent at an affordable price. It's a nice finishing touch to the laundry especially for the thrift and vintage pieces.

thrifted dress refashion

I spotted them on rollback at Walmart and originally wanted to try them out on our ever growing pile of workout clothes. My husband and I exercise everyday and create a ton of smelly, sweaty clothes. I love the long lasting 12 weeks of freshness Purex Crystals provide.

purex crystals

They come in ten different fragrances. I chose Aromatherapy Tahitian Breeze because of the tropical floral essential oil infused scent. I grabbed Fabulously Fresh too. The scent is more classic fresh and smells amazing on warm sheets plucked right from the dryer.

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My thrift store finds come out of the wash refreshed and ready to wear or refashion which was the fate of the muted watercolor print dress.

Elastic waist dresses are the perfect style to transform to a top and skirt matching set. You don't need a sewing machine for this project. Quick tacks with needle and thread and liquid stitch should be fine. I used my sewing machine for speed and if you have a machine I definitely recommend you use it. I was done with the makeover in under an hour.

refashion co-ord matching set

DIY Top and Skirt Matching Set


SUPPLIES
elastic waist dress
scissors
matching thread
sewing machine

WHAT TO DO:
1. Separate dress at elastic band. Cut the dress very close to the line of elastic without cutting into it.
2. Remove lining. This dress is fully lined which I didn't mind on the bottom half but I decided to remove it from the top. It's not necessary and easier to work on the top without it.
cut elastic waist dress

3. Cut the sleeves off. Leave enough fabric to turn in and create a nice finished edge inside.
4. Pin the the new sleeve length. Sew in place.
cut sleeves dress

5. Hem the raw hem of new top. I hacked off a few inches on the bottom for more of a boxy crop top look before pinning and sewing.
6. Hem raw edge of skirt. I cut some length off of the skirt too for a fresher more flattering cut.
diy co-ord matching set

How do you refresh your thrift store finds?

purex crystals fragrance booster

thrift style blog

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