The Find
A Bitter Fashion Memory
I have found a lot of great items in the kids department in thrift stores. The boys section always produces some nice blazers but this time I found something from the girl’s section – a little floral dress circa 90s, the days of Full House, Family Matters and Sister Sister. I seriously think my cousin owned this at one time. I remember the pretty flowers and soft fabric which turned out to be rayon – a material, I found out, my mother wanted nothing to do with as it’s hand wash only. So there I was stuck with my practical and boring, easy-to-wash cotton t-shirt and jeans while my cousin ran around in her flowing dress that didn’t let her skin breathe properly. I was so jealous! But today I am happy to have finally redeemed this painful childhood moment of my past. And to my, Mother (who would probably roll her eyes at this repressed fashion memory) I say, “It may have taken me eleven years to find but this dress is finally a part of my wardrobe. So there!”
Before & After
The Alteration
I changed the collar as it was just a bit too girly for me. I already look 17 years old and a lace-trimmed peter pan collar isn’t exactly mature. (Note: I wanted to keep the collar intact because when/if I’m ready to give it away it’s easy to change it back to it’s original from). Quickly, here are the steps I took to make it more age-appropriate:
- I took the buttons off to replace later.
- I turned the collar inside, ironed it and sewed it down.
- Now, I’m a bit boobalicious for the dress (quite rightly as it was meant for an 8 year old) so I sewed the two button front areas together (to prevent a popping-out situation) so the bottom two buttons don’t actually function in the normal button-hole-button way
- Voila! Quick and dirty fix.
Final Thoughts
Do you have a repressed fashion memory from your childhood? I think we all have family members who have prevented us from wearing or owning something that we really wanted and we still hold onto that memory. I’d love to hear your story… and it would make me feel better about being such a brat. 
(7 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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Definite upgrade with the altered collar! I didnt realize it’s so easy to fix something like that. I have to take you to Talize in my neck of the woods one day, I think you’d find a few gems.
My mother used to make me wear hand-me-downs. From my older brother! This lasted until about grade 4 when I finally said, enough!
So cute! I have a similar floral “church dress/jumpsuit” from my childhood, same kind of insane lace collar, button front with bell bottom shorts (if you can picture that). I tried to alter into a playsuit…unfortunately I’m a little taller than in ‘91 so it didn’t work out too well. I need to find a dress like this! Looks so good with that belt too. Loves =)
@Marta Yes the collar makes quite a difference. I didn’t intend to change it when I bought the dress but after playing around with it I realized that I could do an easy alteration. Yes I’d love to go shopping with you! Name the date!
@Rea Way to stand your ground! My mom used to also dress my little sister and I in the same clothing all the time and everyone thought we were twins. Which really bugged me… You just need your fashion independence
@Kelly That sounds like something I’d wear today! haha Too bad you’ve grown since then
Thanks for the compliment!
Thanks for your comments everyone!
[...] chance your final result can end up looking like a five-year-old got scissor happy, or like my floral dress, end up with something you like and will actually wear. When I found this dress/wrap/thing at Value [...]