Category: Fashionista

Thirfty Thursday’s – Sleeveless Tuxedo Dress DIY

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This week, I got a little creative and crafty!  As you may recall, my friend Natasha from Baby T’s Fashion Diaries and I have joined forces for a two-part thrifting series.  Last week’s post was a huge success and many of you have mentioned that you were inspired to go thrift shopping as well!  I’m so glad that the post was inspiring.  Hopefully today’s will be as well. 🙂

This week, Natasha and I decided to take a thifted item and ‘repurpose’ it.  Make it work, as Tim Gunn from Project Runway would say.  So we did!  Take a look at what we did below:

Part 1:  The Inspiration – I’ve really wanted a sleeveless tuxedo dress for a while now. When I saw this Neil Barrett Tuxedo dress on Intermix.com for $1495 I knew I had to find a more affordable version of this dress.  So, when Natasha and I agreed to write this blog post together, I knew exactly what item I was going to repurpose!

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                    Neil Barrett Tuxedo Dress, $1495 (Intermix.com)

Part 2: The Thrifted Item – A men’s tuxedo style blazer/jacket.  I went straight to the men’s section of the thrift store (after all, I really only had a few minutes to shop with 2 kids in tow), and picked one that would be long enough to wear as a dress and didn’t have any holes or stains, etc.  Ten minutes and $6 later, I was the proud owner of this jacket:

$6 men's jacket from the Salvation Army

Part 3: The Sleeveless Tuxedo Dress:  Remove sleeves and sew extra material into inside of jacket and voila!  A sleeveless tuxedo dress!  I paired it with a Zara ruched sleeved top for work and added a Victoria’s Secret lace slip (which I scored for $4 at their recent Semi-Annual Sale) underneath to add length, but otherwise, also great to wear alone with a pair of shooties, like the ones I’m wearing here from Ann Taylor!

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Intermix vs Thrifted DIY

So, what do you think??  Let me know if you would like me provide specific details about the repurposing process and I’ll post a tutorial!

Otherwise, take a look at what Natasha found and did with her thifted item this week!  I love how she repurposed her skirt to make it into a more youthful-looking skirt!

Midi skirt to above the knee full skirt!Doesn’t she just look darling?!  A full-lenth midi skirt hemmed to show off her fabulous gams.  Love!  Read more about her process on Baby T’s Fashion Diaries!

Finally, let me know if you’re enjoying these thrifting posts in the comments section below.  Maybe this thrifting thing can be a weekly thing from now on. 🙂

Until next time!  Stay Chic!!

Thrifty Thursday’s – Office Wear

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You may recall that I recently wrote a post about my experience while shopping at a thrift store.  In that post, I describe how I managed to get two outfits – including shoes – for under $20!  I was pretty amazed myself!

Well, I’ve since become very excited about thrifting, so when Natasha from Baby T Fashion Diaries approached me about a second thrifting challenge, I immediately jumped at the opportunity to thrift again. 🙂

This time, we wanted to focus on items that a woman would wear to the office.  Office-appropriate outfits, if you will.  We did not set a budget, there weren’t any rules at all, really.  What we did agree to do, was to purchase an outfit that we could each wear to the office..from a thrift store.  Simple enough, right?

Check out what we found:

Thrift Blog Pic 1

Thrift Blog Pic 2

My thrift store finds:

  • Ann Taylor Jacket/Blazer $2.50
  • Banana Republic Wrinkle Free top $2.50
  • Gap pleated midi-skirt $3

TOTAL COST: $8

All items were purchased at the Salvation Army.

Shoes and necklace were not thrifted, however the necklace is from Forever 21 (old, about $8), earrings are from TJ Maxx (old, $10), and slingback heels are from the Nine West outlet (recent, $15).

My sweet friend Natasha found a fab outfit as well!  See for your self:

Natashas thrift picDoesn’t she look great!  A very office-appropriate outfit indeed.  Check out her blog and Instagram for details on her amazing finds!

What do you think?!  I am personally LOVING these thrifting challenges and hopeful to find some more amazing finds in the future.

Until next time!  Stay chic!

Chic in Academia’s Luxe Giveaway

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Guess what??  It’s giveaway time!  I am constantly blown away by your unwavering and growing support on all of my social media platforms; most of all, continue to be grateful to all of you who read my blog.  This has been quite an exciting experience and I can only hope that more excitement lies ahead.

As a small token of my appreciation, I am hosting a giveaway!  Most of these items were generously donated, and YOU get to reap the rewards! Enter by clicking on the Rafflecopter below.  It will take you to the entry page where you will have up to 4 opportunities to enter!  Also, earn an extra entry on Instagram by regramming the giveaway photo.  Additional details on Instagram. 🙂  US and Canada only.  My sincerest apologies to my international readers!! 😦

What you will win:

  • A copy of Lean In to feed your mind (extra copy from my last giveaway!)
  • A sample set of Flowerbomb by Viktro & Rolf
  • Bond No. 9 sample perfume vials (3)
  • Cover girl nail polish
  • Pair of Lotus Boutique earrings
  • Pack of nail appliques
  • La Mer eye creme sample
  • YSL sheer gloss in No 4

Good luck, my chic friends!!

Giveaway pic

a Rafflecopter giveaway