BE YOU. EVERYONE ELSE IS TAKEN.
Individuality is no easy task. In a world where people bend over backwards to try to fit in, it’s sometimes a gutsy move to stand out and be yourself. Last week we celebrated Dr. Suess’s birthday and applauded his nudge to all of humanity’s childhood development when he encouraged us to be ourselves.
It just so turned out that this past week was also a great time to put this “Stand Out” theory to the test…
It was Sacramento Fashion Week, and I would be sitting second row VIP with all the who’s who in Sacramento fashion. Cue obsessing about outfit. In this situation, especially as a stylist to many (a few of which I styled for the event), the pressure was on to have the perfect look (two nights in a row! AAH!), and show them I have great style for myself as well as my clients. The big question: to fit in or stand out?
STAND OUT.
I went to Thrift Town hunting for the perfect dress. I tried on a bunch, but the “IT” dress was eluding me. Then I found it: a shin-length red 3X stretchy maternity dress. Wait, WHAT??
See, part of embracing YOU is seeing potential. Being able to see things that others don’t see and shining when you coax those qualities out in the open. This big red maternity dress would have it’s day in the spotlight.
I wish I’d taken a pic before I chopped the length off and sewed the arms but…
Here’s STEP BY STEP: how to make a smaller dress from a larger one:
- Put the dress on inside out and (get some help to) safety pin all the way down, making sure it fits your shape the way you want.
- Try moving around and sitting with it pinned to make sure it will function well once you sew & cut. (no split seams out in public!)
- Start at an edge: sew along your safety pin line.
- Try it on again (with pins still in) to make sure you sewed what you wanted.
- Finish sewing both sides & try on again to double check.
- Maybe apply deoderant at this point: all that on-off-on-off…
- Run a stitch a quarter inch outside of your original one on both sides to reinforce it.
- NOW you can take your pins out and trim the extra off (the most gratifying part thus far!)
- If you’re adjusting the length too, measure and cut, giving yourself a good extra inch more than you think you’ll want for the end result.
- Flip the bottom up and hem it all the way around.
- BEST PART: turn your new dress right-side out and try it on!
I dismantled a gold leaf necklace of mine, and took the chains off. Then simply sewed it to the right side of the dress…
OK, ready for the final result??
TA DA! Not only did it turn out better than I’d hoped, but I was THE ONLY person wearing red at the entire huge event! All night : “It’s the girl in the red dress -nice to meet you!” Now that’s what I call standing out! Pics with all the important people, introductions, and of course: “Where did you get that dress??” *sigh* It was a great night. My thrifted outfit for Fashion Week night 2 will have to wait for another post…
Pretty proud of my $3.99 thrifted maternity showstopper dress. How do YOU stand out and BE YOU??
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WHAT DO YOU THINK?
What is your most YOU piece in your wardrobe?
What’s your favorite thing about shopping one of a kind items?
. . . . .
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