Monday, May 6, 2013

Presto Chango!

When it comes to clothing, I am not a good shopper. That could be because I find shopping so discouraging. I feel like there's very little out there for someone of my shape. More often than not, after trying on several things that really don't work, I'll settle for the item works best. Sometimes the item isn't particularly flattering, but if it covers all the important bits decently, I'll take it. 


My close-enough-is-good-enough approach is particularly apparent when it comes to second-hand items. This tank dress was one of those items. I was shopping on my lunch-hour, so I was pressed for time. I checked that the dress covered my bust, that the armholes didn't gape, and that my bra straps were concealed. Yes, yes and yes. Six dollars spent and I was out the door. 


Later I realized that I should have checked that my bust and my butt were covered. While the dress didn't look too short in the dressing room, as soon as I started to move I realized I was in trouble. 

At that point I was tempted to toss the dress in the donation bag and be grateful that the lesson only cost me six bucks. But I kinda liked the dress. I hung onto it and hoped that it would magically get longer in the closet.

Eventually the ol' light bulb went on. I added a hand-me-down jacket, a consignment-store belt and some leggings. Abra-cadabra! Presto-chango! My short dress was now a long tunic. Sadly, I didn't actually own the leggings, so I had to spend another $35 to get my bargain dress to work. Fortunately, I've found other things in my closet that work with the leggings. Somehow that seems to justify the expense. 

This is the outfit I wore for date night on Friday. Hubby and I walked down to our local pub for burgers and beers.  The pub is quite new. I'm rather liking having a drinking establishment within stumbling distance of our home.

Linking up with Patti and the rabble over at Not Dead Yet Style for Visible Monday. Go check out the inspiring, innovative and stylish women!

8 comments:

  1. Laurie, it was a good decision to keep the dress. It is an amazing dress and a cute tunic and it goes well with the denim jacket. Don't worry you look marvellous in it!

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  2. I have done this very thing -- converted a short dress to a long tunic, what a relief! : > You look terrific, and thanks for linking up at Visible Monday.

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  3. Thanks Sabine. I'm glad I kept it, and I'm glad I found a way to make it work. It does make weeding the closet that much more difficult. Now I look at every item and wonder if some day I might find something to wear with it.

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  4. Thanks Patti. There's another "mini" in the closet waiting for the lightbulb to go off so it can have a turn. It was a hand-me-down, so it didn't cost me a cent. Now I just have to refrain from spending a fortune making it work.

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  5. Laurie, I love this look on you. And you have a fabulous figure! You may not get a lot of use from your leggings this summer, but come fall, you'll be thrilled to have them in your wardrobe.

    Sue xo

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  6. Oooh, yes, and wear it with skinny jeans this fall, add a scarf with mixable (blue & white print?) and leather-ish or wool jacket and you have another season and more success.
    Good job making it work! Way cute!

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  7. Thanks Sue! The figure is fabulous, but somehow the people who design clothing haven't figured that out! Or I keep telling myself that. It's good to hear it from someone else. Thanks and thanks and thanks!

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  8. Thanks Jan. Years ago I bought my sister a black, leather moto jacket. I know she can't wear it anymore. I wonder if she still has it, and more importantly, I wonder if it will fit me. It might work with this dress....

    I've been buying scarves at the thrift store on my lunch breaks. I don't even know if I'm a "scarf person", but I'll have plenty to choose from if it turns out I am.

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