12.13.2012

Holiday Sparkle

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Whatcha Wearing?
Vintage dress from Beacon's Closet 
Tights from H&M / Shoes from Crossroads Trading Co
Headband from Day-Lab / Vintage pins from various places

Here's the outfit I wore to the holiday party I went to over the weekend! Super fun and sparkly, right? Well, here's the story of this dress and why it's covered in brooches. It started it's life as a much wider, much longer maxi dress. Even though it didn't fit, it was love at first sight when I found it at Beacon's Closet that day years ago. I knew it would be the most complicated alteration I'd ever done, but I was up to the challenge! I had plans to wear it to a 60s soul dance party in the near future, so I got to work. First I hemmed the skirt up (easy). Both the bodice and skirt were then carefully removed from the waist section. After that the bodice and waist were both taken in a bit. Finally I connected everything back together. It actually worked! I had taken this beautiful thing apart and made it fit without ruining it!

There was just one tiny problem. The collar was creased a bit funny and it was really bothering me. Looking back I want to scream to myself "It doesn't matter! It looks fine!". But alas, I don't have this ability. I heated up my iron and pressed it against the neckline only to pull away a big melted piece of metallic polyester. And that, my friends, is why you see a cluster of brooches on this dress. The deer is perfectly hiding the patched hole I made that night. Always check your iron temperature before pressing a polyester dress you just spent hours altering!

I'm linking up with Rolled Up Pretty and Transatlantic Blonde.

14 comments:

  1. Beautiful dress! It looks wonderful on you :)

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  2. Bummer on the iron. I have done that one too many times. Another reason why I try to avoid ironing altogether.

    I was going to say that I loved the trio of brooches...so there you go! : P I think they pick up the silver in the dress, which is stunning BTW. You did a wonderful job on the sewing part of the alteration because it looks like it fits like a glove.

    Bisous
    Suzanne
    http://bisous.typepad.com/bisous/

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! I agree, the pins make it more fun anyway...

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  3. Wow, that stinks! But you've hidden the damage beautifully! I really love the trio of brooches. You did a great job with the fit - it looks amazing on you!

    julee @ diylouisville.blogspot.com

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  4. love this and those brooches! <3 soo cute! they're the best! i never wear pins. this makes me want to start, though. :D

    - Anna

    www.melodicthriftychic.com

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    Replies
    1. They're so easy to find for cheap at thrift stores and flea markets.

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  5. Love the pretty vintage dress! And those brooches are the perfect holiday touch! Amazing job altering it!!
    -Jessi
    haircutandgeneralattitude.blogspot.com

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  6. Oh it looks so good with the brooches, I would have never known. I burned a dress and had to get it tailored also. I was so annoyed with myself. I was using my in-laws iron which is totally different than mine. You look lovely in this light blue ensemble. I adore the brooche cluster

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  7. Those brooches are to kill for
    Nice look !

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  8. OHHHH! I bet that was painful..........like cry-worthy! BUT it's all good! I think the brooches are a great addition!

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  9. You look gorgeous! Love the dress, headband and smokey eye! I was just thinking that brooches are really cool and I should get some. So don't worry, I would never have known there was an iron accident! I think the brooches look great!
    ~Jessica
    Jeans and a Teacup

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