Redress that Dress: Tips to Change that Drab Dress into Something New!

Need a new dress and can't afford it right now? That's ok because we are going to "redress" that dress you have worn a hundred times into some magnificent and more beautiful than you ever imagined. What do you need to accomplish this? You will need access to your entire wardrobe and some imagination, a sewing needle and some thread , scissors, and fabric glue. You can usually purchase fabric glue for about a dollar at your local store which carries sewing goods. Also, look for jewelry around the house you don't wear anymore or old broken jewelry. And if you are really ambitious, bring out the sewing machine.

The Scarf

A scarf can be used around your neck - hanging loosely or tied - under the collar or over the collar, draped over one shoulder, tied around your waist, hanging loosely around a belt or wrapped around your belt.

Don't have a scarf? Here is an idea. Once I needed a scarf to add to a dress jacket and didn't have one and I didn't have time to go to the store. I started rummaging through some old fabric, sheets and curtains in which I didn't use anymore. I found a mismatched sheer curtain. I measured out the length and width for my new scarf. Cut it out very carefully (you'll want to use a very sharp scissors-but be careful) and used some fabric glue along the entire edge of the scarf to prevent fraying. I also sprinkled some glitter I had on the glue to give it a "bling" edge. I let it dry while I made supper and got ready. I shook the scarf over the garbage can to make sure there wasn't any loose glitter on it. I wrapped the scarf loosely around the underside of my collar and gathered it in the middle with a jeweled pin. I looked awesome! I received lots of great comments on my scarf that night.

The Belt

Belts are fun. You can use belts in lots of ways and change them in many ways. You can wear one belt or wear two or three belts to create a layered look. If you have some broken or unused jewelry, you can take apart the jewelry and glue or sew the stones to the belt and create a pattern across the belt . Remember to lay your pattern out on the belt first and mark with a small dot of a pencil where each piece will go. You won't want to run out at the end.

Another thing you can do with belts is wrap fabric around them. You can use fabric you have laying around in the house, or use some fabric from an article of clothing article you don't wear anymore.

My personal experience - I used to own a pair of fun flip-flops which had lots of fun jewels and pieces sewn on them. The flip-flops wore out and I took off the jewels and pieces and saved them. Later I added some "bling" to my drab belt by gluing those jewels and pieces to the belt. It looked awesome and added a nighttime fun look to it.

The Stained Dress

You spilled down the front of your favorite dress and the stain won't come out. What do you do? You redress that stained dress by using some fun hiding techniques. If the stain is on the top, add some jewels from old jewelry by gluing or sewing them on. Hang a scarf over the stain. Put a shirt over the top of the dress to make it look like you have a skirt on. If the stain is on the bottom ½ of the skirt part of the dress, you might be able to get away with cutting off the bottom portion of the dress and create a totally new look with a new mini-dress. If it the stain is on the upper portion of the bottom ½ of the dress, you can wrap a triangle scarf around your waistline with the scarf over the stain.

The Layer

Layer your clothes - Try making a new look to your dress by layering. Try on other jackets and shirts you might have hanging in the closet over the dress and add a scarf or belt. You might have oversized sweater you can layer over your dress which gives the illusion of wearing a sweater with a skirt. This is a great way to stretch your work wardrobe.

For The Ambitious

Create a new look from making your long sleeved dress into a short sleeve dress, from long dress to short dress, or a new skirt! If you are good with a sewing machine, you can always separate the top of the dress from the bottom by separating your dress into a skirt and shirt. You can now mix and match your new skirt and shirt with other pieces in your wardrobe.

Remember, the great looks come from the imagination not the pocket book!