SOCIAL MEDIA

25 August 2014

Only Half a Dress

 Red Plaid Tank


Silver Lake Resort Hotel ShenZhen

Red Plaid Tank Black Pencil Skirt



Once upon a time I bought a really cheap mini-dress because I loved the design even though it didn't fit very well. Sometimes it fit better than other times (don't all clothes?) but mini-dresses really aren't all that versatile so, a few months ago, before my beloved sewing machine was taken from me, I decided to chop up this dress and hem it, so that I could still wear the top when I moved. In fact, with a sweater to cover my shoulders, this mini-dress can even be part of a rather teacher-ly outfit, if I do say so myself.

(Side Note: After looking at those old posts, I miss my awesome blue and purple hair immensely. I wonder if it will be acceptable to dye my hair again someday...)

Angel and I aren't really the kind to stay still all that often. During our weeks of training, we thought we felt very tired out by our intense schedule...but then again, the minute we had a free few hours we thought it was the perfect time to wander through a very wealthy neighborhood and gawk at the incredibly cool-looking mansions (we did the exact same thing in nice neighborhoods in the US, I think those fancy houses are so fun to look at! If you own a fancy house, can I be your friend primarily for the purpose of looking at your house?). We discovered a river and a waterfall and a little park with exercise equipment and benches on our walk. We have so much to explore in our new home!
Bethany Carson said...

Ah, that's the best outfit with that top/dress yet! Looks great with the black skirt!

Suzanne said...

That is cool that they have a park outfitted with exercise equipment!

Smart idea on the mini dress. I love the plaid. Very school teacherish : )

bisous
Suzanne

Bekah Loves Blog said...

I LOVE it as a top!

Tayler Morrell said...

I love the pattern!

Anonymous said...

It looks really good as a top, you did a great job!

Jennifer Prod said...

aww, it seems like y'all are really enjoying everything! i think the new top and your hair both look great - a perfect look for strolling along the avenues of the rich & famous :)

Anonymous said...

So beautiful:)

Paige @ Reasons to Come Home said...

Your half a dress looks great as a top!

AwesomelyOZ said...

Such a cute mini dress!! I have done that because my friend is super tiny and let me borrow her dress which was a top on me, lOL! :) Glad you are both enjoying your surroundings and taking advantage by exploring! Have a great one Rachel! -Iva

Julia said...

Hello, new to your blog! :) I love that as a top, it's adorable!

Kari said...

You did a great job! It makes a really cute top!

Rach said...

Wow! You did an amazing job turning that dress into a top! So cute!

Kristina said...

Nice look!

Whitney @ EHFAR said...

I love it as a top :-)

Unknown said...

You look so beautiful, and I think that dress turned into a fantastic top! I thought it was always a top at first! :) Sounds like you are adjusting well and having fun!

http://howtomakehome.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

I like what you did with the dress. Very good idea, actually! It does look a little teacher-ish, but that's ok cause you're rockin' it! :)

The Lady Okie said...

Love it! You're so handy. And so fashionable. Are you FAMOUS? ;)

Angela said...

How long are you training for before you start your regular duties? You are so creative, girl!

Janna Renee said...

That's a great way to repurpose a dress! Cute pics of y'all too.

Witchcrafted Life said...

Beautiful revamping!!! I so adore classic red based plaids like this, especially as we start to inch ever closer to fall's return. I have a great 40s/50s red and green plaid vest that I always start busting out once September hits and am really looking forward to doing the same again soon (and soon, I suspect it really will be, as there are signs that autumn might come uncharacteristically early here this year).

♥ Jessica

RobyGiup said...

Great idea: the fabric and pattern are both gorgeous and a top is much more versatile than a minidress, it can be worn both with skirts and throusers.
Enjoy your exploration trips! :-)

Amy said...

i LOVE what you did with the dress! turning it into top is such a good idea and so cute!!

Sarah @ Back to Carolina said...

I like that so much as a top. It was a cute dress, but as a shirt it is so cute!

Aunie said...

I'd say it's ABSOLUTELY adorable!

Darcy said...

What a great way to make it work for you! So cute!
www.amemoryofus.com

Unknown said...

very cute + teacher-ly! maybe you could get some purple/blue chalk until then and just don it for date nights and such in the meantime! we did the saaame thing in Dallas - we lived near an amazing neighborhood with historic homes - a lot of them even had plaques with the family name (usually majors or significant city peeps)!

Beka @ Sunshine to the Square Inch said...

So fun! Good for you for fixing your mini dress into a shirt. That's pretty fun! I have yet to bust out my sewing machine but I just bought some material today to make headbands. Because you know, when one needs to pack to move to Asia they buy material for headbands instead.... whomp whomp whomp!

Glad you have found some fun sights to explore and looking at big and pretty houses is always a fun thing to do!

Elegance and Mommyhood said...

You have the most fun stories. You definitely made your half a dress look fabulous as a top paired with a skirt, here. Loving the plaid and those adorable white flats. =)

Jessica Jannenga said...

Such cute pictures, new to your site. I love the plaid top with the cute collar. That with a black pencil skirt is quite stylish. Thanks for the idea of a dress to a shirt!
from the link up
please stop by, jess
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

Marie said...

Love the plaid and the collar!
Marie @ In Our Happy Place

Tamara said...

I really love this plaid top! The collar is so cute :).

Tamara
www.trulytamara.com

Mrs. Cheerio said...

If you didn't live on the other side of the world, I would TOTALLY want you to refashion my clothes- you are so talented!

My New Happy said...

What a cute idea - looks great on you!

Chantel said...

What a great idea on the half dress thing! I love that! Also, Jared and I just spent our date night yesterday walking around the ritzy neighborhood in our town, so you aren't the only ones that do that!

Lisa said...

Very cute pattern and shape - the half-dress looks great as a top

Sum of their Stories said...

What a great idea, I've taken the tops off dresses to make skirts but never tried it the other way round. Very clever.

Emily Thompson said...

cute!! This refashion looks awesome!! I did look at the original and it is a HUGE improvement ;o) thanks for sharing at Create Link Inspire party! I'm featuring you over at Nap-Time Creations today in a fall fashion post. I've also spread the word around social media. Stop by and have a look! Emily

AiringMyLaundry said...

I really like it! Great idea.

Cynthia said...

Great dress! You look straight out of the 1940's and this is completely intended as a compliment. Not everyone could have the timeless hair and outfit thing down like you can.