Revive or Recycle the Trench Coat Dress | Thriftanista in the City

1.26.2015

Revive or Recycle the Trench Coat Dress

When you find a dress that's part cape and part trench coat at the thrift store, you must buy it. That's what I told myself 3 years ago. Never wore it. It's one of the forgotten about pieces. The ones I say I'm going to totally revamp, refashion, and revive then relegate them to second closet. Second closet is a mix of stuff to sell or mend. I rarely go in there these days.

cape dress


I decided to just wear it. Give myself some time to think about what it is I want to do with it and remember why I bought it. Other than the cape trench thing going on, I love the fit. I don't wear pencil shape very often because it's hard to find an off that rack piece that will fit both waist and hips. 

vintage trench coat dress

I'm not so crazy about the length so that's likely to change. Belt loops shall be snipped. Shoulders? We will see. I have a vision for them.

After I put the dress through the wash, I'm going to put it in first closet so I can see it and hopefully get started on changes sooner rather than later.

long pencil skirt

Another point to consider is the color. Khaki is in that colorless beige family I don't really wear. You see I added in some color with the Nordstrom blouse. I could give it a dye job! Now I'm overwhelming myself with ideas on this one dress that hasn't seen the light of day in 3 years. 

What do you think? Is the trench coat dress worth a refashion?

trench coat dress pinterest
THRIFT trench coat dress - vintage necklace - Olivia Moon henley blouse - White House Black Market pumps  RETAIL stud belt

***in other news***

Linking up with the lovely ladies of Monday MingleThrifters Anonymous, and What I Wore Wednesday.

Are you having trouble finding the goods at the thrift store? Check out my tips to help you thrift score at your next visit.

how to style a vintage dress

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7 comments

K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy said...

It has potential for sure. I think shortening it will do wonders. Also, can those front flaps be removed? I kind of like the flap in the back as is.

Thriftanista in the City said...

Yeah will definitely chop some length. I love the flaps though. They have to stay!

Carrie Anne / Little Big said...

This is fabulous--I love it. Okay, definitely shorten it a bit, like maybe to right above the knee. Then, instead of dying, leave the color alone but add some accents to make it stand out. Like, don't get rid of the cape, but cover it with a leopard print fabric or a faux fur. That way it keeps a vintage safari vibe. And shorten the sleeves and give them a cuff with an orange underside? Does that make sense? There is much potential here! But don't dye it, add to it.

Carrie Anne / Little Big said...

This is fabulous--I love it. Okay, definitely shorten it a bit, like maybe to right above the knee. Then, instead of dying, leave the color alone but add some accents to make it stand out. Like, don't get rid of the cape, but cover it with a leopard print fabric or a faux fur. That way it keeps a vintage safari vibe. And shorten the sleeves and give them a cuff with an orange underside? Does that make sense? There is much potential here! But don't dye it, add to it.

Rustown Mom said...

I like it - ver.y retro. I can picture it with boots, so I like the length. Yes, remove belt loops. And what about changing up the buttons? Its cute. Potential.

Chioma said...

i like the layering of this look! i have a hard time with my trench too. I'll probably need to get it altered :)

Chioma
C's Evolution of Style

Shon said...

This is a fun look with the element of surprise pattern underneath and shoes. I have Goodwill at my most convenient disposal and it has been picked dry lately. I need to up my game a bit.

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