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Giving a Dress a Makeover

Janet Camilleri · 03/12/2014 ·

I fell in love with this dress from Jay Jay’s last Summer but decided it needed a bit of a makeover before I wore it this season.

It was so long I found myself constantly tripping over it, and so I just wasn’t wearing it.

I ended up taking it in for some alterations as I wanted to keep the border on the bottom, and I knew my sewing skills weren’t quite up to it!

Before the Dress had a Makeover

Give a dress a makeover - BEFORE

After the Dress had a Makeover

Same dress after makeover

Now I have a dress that I will wear heaps! It could even be my new everywhere dress.

I’ll definitely be packing it for my cruise – just 10 days to go!

Do you ever take clothes in for alterations or do you do it yourself?

***And don’t forget to enter the comp I’m currently running – you could WIN a $100 Voucher to Crazy Sales – just in time for Christmas!

Filed Under: Fashion & Beauty

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alicia says

    03/12/2014 at 7:33 am

    I am constantly having to take up the hem of my pants, on account of being a short ass. That is about the amount of my sewing prowess. The dress looks fantastic on you.

    • Janet Camilleri says

      03/12/2014 at 1:30 pm

      Thanks Alicia – this was a bit tricky so I took it to an expert and am very happy with the result.

  2. Claire Chadwick : Mum's Closet says

    03/12/2014 at 12:08 pm

    Ooh very clever. Great job. Love it.
    Have fun on the cruise.
    x

    • Janet Camilleri says

      03/12/2014 at 1:30 pm

      Just 10 sleeps to go!

  3. Raych aka Mystery Case says

    03/12/2014 at 12:51 pm

    WOW what a difference it makes. I wish I was more adventurous and crafty with my wardrobe. Please fly over to Perth and help me out.

    • Janet Camilleri says

      03/12/2014 at 1:31 pm

      I wish I was clever enough to take it up myself, but as well as taking a panel out the dressmaker took it in as well as the skirt flared out as it got longer. Worth every cent in my book!!!!!

  4. Johanna says

    03/12/2014 at 5:36 pm

    Wow it looks so much better shorter on you. I know I have a dress at the moment that I trip up in and it just stays in my wardrobe because the shoes I used to wear with it have worn out 🙁

    • Janet Camilleri says

      03/12/2014 at 9:30 pm

      If it’s something you’d wear a lot – take the plunge and get it altered 🙂

  5. Peachy Keen Mumma - Jess says

    03/12/2014 at 6:04 pm

    That’s so awesome! What a fantastic idea. My husband hates Maxi dresses (on me) but I love some of the patterns that are out there, and maxi dresses are the it thing. I think we could both agree on this idea. Alterations lady and maxi dress here I come 😉

    • Janet Camilleri says

      03/12/2014 at 9:31 pm

      I love maxi dresses, but feel they cover up my best body feature – my legs – so this was a great solution! I’m very happy with the results 🙂

  6. Carolyn says

    03/12/2014 at 9:32 pm

    What a great idea to re-invent your dress. The fabric looks like it is iron-free so it will be perfect for your cruise. Enjoy!

    • Janet Camilleri says

      04/12/2014 at 10:13 am

      Yes it is – simply wash and go! Love it!

  7. Caitlin says

    03/12/2014 at 9:43 pm

    Great transformation. I’m always afraid of the cost with getting things altered! 10 days before cruising must be terribly exciting.

    • Janet Camilleri says

      04/12/2014 at 10:14 am

      It WAS $35 (eek!) but I knew I’d get the wear out of it. I also enquired about getting thicker shoulder straps made out of the leftover material, but that was another $20, so I passed on that option. If I do decide to go ahead, I’m reasonably confident I can manage that myself (I hope)!

  8. Rae Hilhorst says

    03/12/2014 at 10:15 pm

    You forget how difficult it is to operate in a long dress, I usually end up with the dress tangled around my legs x

    • Janet Camilleri says

      04/12/2014 at 10:14 am

      And going down stairs is a nightmare too!

  9. Belinda Jacobson says

    04/12/2014 at 5:17 pm

    That length is perfect! It frees up the shape so the movement will be lovely when you walk and it will be nice and cool for your cruise! Where are you headed?
    xo

    • Janet Camilleri says

      04/12/2014 at 5:58 pm

      Thanks Belinda – Noumea & Vanuatu with my sister and 2 best friends since high school/youth group days – I’ve done the cruise before with my family in 2009, now I’m looking forward to a very girlie experience!

  10. Bev from Iris May Style says

    05/12/2014 at 6:31 am

    I can sew but never seem to find the time to do it myself, instead I take it to the CR alteration guru’s to work their magic…I often getting my maxi’s lengthened though!
    You look gorgeous xx

  11. coco says

    06/12/2014 at 2:08 am

    I wish I know how to sew. I’m short so most maxi dresses are to long for me. But I’ve never thought of taking them for alterations. I usually compensate by wearing platforms.

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Meet the Middle Aged Mama

Janet Camilleri is an Australian bloggerHi - I'm Janet Camilleri aka the Middle Aged Mama; crazy cat lady, award-winning business woman, and mother of two grown children. I might be a middle aged woman, but that doesn't mean I've lost all interest in looking stylish! I love chocolate, chick lit, cruising holidays and the husbear - and not necessarily in that order wink. I live in Brisbane, Australia, and I'm learning how to fashion a new life now that we have an empty nest - did somebody say "travel"?!

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