As fashion that fits still hasn’t fully come back, but seems to be on the turn, I have started to alter the mass of clothes I’ve accumulated during covid rather than throwing them away.
I also have loads of dresses that are too big for me now I have slimmed down so am planning to alter them as well.
Also some new ones I can’t get into, but don’t intend to slim down anymore as I don’t want an eating disorder.
n.b.
(Remember to set a goal weight if you are slimming, then maintain the weight when you achieve it by finding your maintenance weight calories. We aren’t supposed to diet all the time ~ that is classed as an eating disorder, dieting is just to loose weight gain from various factors like illness, medication and so forth. Create your fashion style around you, not sizings in shops or trend figures that are unrealistic, photoshopped or have used creative lighting.)
Will load the ideas into the Recycling our own clothes file.
Dress 1
Black Lace dress to Gangster’s Girlfriend Fancy Dress Outfit
It is too baggy on me so I changed it.
Black Floral Lace Mini Dress
Product description
• V neckline
• Short puff sleeves
• Zip up back fastening
• Floral lace fabric
• Elasticated waistband
• Mini length
• Lined
Sizing
• Model height is 5’10”
I altered this quite a lot.
Some of these ideas were passed down my family possibly from the 1920’s and 30’s, but not sure.
Also I learnt sewing tips from my family that were passed down from ancestors who worked in the Satanic Mills in Victorian Times.
Really pleased with the finished result.
It is possibly Jean Harlow meets Joan Crawford type era ~ not sure but it is American Gangster.
It could also be worn as an evening shawl.
This dress was £28.
I thought it was enough to spend on fashion that didn’t fit properly as all the clothes were was the same during covid both high and low end.
The necklace is pre – covid department store, bought it on a Sunday Day out to a little village with a department store.
In fact it really reminds me of a 70’s dress I altered into a mini dress.
(This isn’t a dress, I drew on the 2nd hand 70’s style dress from memory, I think it flared out even more than this. was a really nice dress, you would wear it with platforms or strappy sandals, you didn’t need a bra under it as it pulled you in like a bra and created voluminous cleavage.)
It must of been long and flared as the mini dress was flared.
It had the label vogue in it.
It pulled your bust in really tight then flared out a lot.
Wish I’d kept it, but this dress is really similar.
Maybe need to pull it in tighter next somehow.
n.b.
(I didn’t take any photos in the said dress as I’m body dismorphic and have hardly any photos before I had counselling.
I still hate photos of myself and think I look awful, but I do social media as my counsellor advised it would help me.
While my photos have been on social media I don’t like looking at them, but occassionaly I have liked one which is a step forward for me.
If you are like me I hope this is helping you too, giving you strength and encouraging you to do the end of month photo projects on the calendars; just load up your photos and leave them there. I used to delete mine as I couldn’t bare looking at them, still can’t but I’m getting a bit better.)
Got some pink and coral lipsticks again thank god!!!
(Hope you have got your colours back too if you don’t suit red like me, love these pinks if you are desperate for pink lipstick. They are blended really tastefully so not too pink or too much.)
This is sort of my pre covid look.
I was told by a beautician not wear a lot of makeup, if you are like me I recommend these new products ~ you can get your look back too.
The bra I’m wearing is a covid one that actually fitted on a small bust.
Have to laugh as I recently purchased some 2 size bigger bras and put them in storage just presuming they were the missold ones for large busts.
As I needed to do a declutter I got them out of storage and found they actually fitted.
If you have purchased fashion that is too big ~ these bras will fill out your fashion and are inexpensive but good quality.
Black 2 Sizes Bigger Plunge Bras 2 Pack
2-sizes-bigger-plunge-bras-2-pack
If you have a small bust you need a plunge bra if you are going for a cleavage look.
This bra has a lot of padding.
My hair is growing back into my pre covid style also, before the covid brush snapped it off.
Charted my journey from snapped hair to long if you are struggling at the moment without a hairdresser, I store it in Saphire’s Hairdressing Salon.
I’m just trying to entertain myself and inspire other women like me who don’t fit covid fashion at the moment.
This dress is just a prototype and photography project as it needs sewing on a sewing machine.
At the same time, really glad these sewing skills have come back for future reference.
Dress 2
Milkmaid Dress to the Mary Shelley Look
From doing this project you realise the dress isn’t a small.
I bought this before I’d started to load fashion hauls up, but I kept this picture of it.
It isn’t available anymore anyway, but pretty typical of covid fashion.
It didn’t cost much so not worried about altering it.
(As I said when I started blogging I do minimal fancy dress anyway but love parties, was after going to work once dressed as Red Indian Girl
~ realised I could of done a more minimal idea and it would still of been o.k.)
Milkmaid dress
Not sure what a milk maid dress is?
What is a milkmaid dress
A milkmaid dress is a style of dress characterized by a fitted, often ruched or smocked, bodice and a flowing skirt, typically with puff sleeves and a square or sweetheart neckline. The name and style are inspired by the practical, peasant-style garments worn by women who milked cows in European countryside villages in the 17th and 18th centuries.
- Bodice: Fitted and often features smocking, shirring, or a corset-like structure for a defined shape.
- Sleeves: Puff sleeves are a signature feature, but some styles may have spaghetti straps.
- Neckline: Commonly has a square or sweetheart neckline that frames the face.
- Skirt: Flows out from the waist and can be tiered, simple, or made from lightweight fabrics.
- Details: May include decorative elements like lace, ribbons, embroidery, or cut-outs at the back.
- Overall style: Blends vintage romance with modern trends, often creating a feminine and whimsical look suitable for various occasions.
Google Search
Elle Fashion
why-milkmaid-dresses-are-so-popular-and-how-to-choose-the-perfect-one?
- High Waist Milkmaid Dresses Are Perfect For Apple Shaped Women
Women with the apple body type usually have an upper body (shoulders and bust) that is wider than the hips, sometimes with a less defined waistline. The most classic milkmaid dresses usually have a tight waist design which is unfriendly to them. However, many short milkmaids dress this season have a high waist design which is perfect for people who have apple-shaped bodies!
Milkmaid Dress to Mary Shelley Fancy Dress
Altered this dress quite a lot.
Mine isn’t as long so it is a modern take on the Mary Shelley look and will have to do as it is all I have.
Really pleased with the result and styled it with a Swarovski crystal pendant necklace and one I made myself.
It isn’t a milkmaid dress anymore ~ more what Mary Shelley would of worn, except not as long ~ not sure it matters just for a party.
I dressed it up with a necklace I made myself.
Tied a ribbon round that I salvaged off a cosy comfort blanket, loaded this idea in fashion calendar somewhere.
Wearing a blue Swarovski pendant on this photo.
I’d wear this to a fancy dress party.
Didn’t cost hardly anything to alter it and was about £20 at Asda.
Where to purchase sewing equipment.
If you like this kind of thing it turns your covid fashion around & saves the money you spent.
Sewing kits
Finally got some from sainsbury’s
Have put the threads etc. back into my craft toolbox and the plastic container converts into a supplement box.
Just noticed the sewing section is back at sainsburys
This kit at Tesco’s
Love this one waited ages for craft products.
This one has everthing you need for altering dresses and missold leggings and so forth.
Thankyou Korbond!!!
I sent for some sewing products at Argos and actually got them.
Couldn’t even get elastic in covid.
It is quite nostalgic as some of the tricks I am remebering were in the 2nd hand garments I used to purchase for my 2nd hand stall.
These are skills women have forgotten due to not needing them anymore.
I bought so many dresses that didn’t fit me properly in the past but sort of did.
Now I would alter them.
In fact I have a jumper that doesn’t fit my body type in storage. It was one of the last shops to go before the fat acceptance movement. I have to say I actually agreed with someone in the movement about the shop. The clothes didn’t fit me properly either. I think it was for big busted women who weren’t hourglass. Now I get what the jumper is supposed to do from studying fashion.
It all makes sense now.
I’m going to alter the jumper so it is more my style and for a small bust.
Also I have some long dresses from said shop that I’ve been saving to alter.
I love this dress but it fits a unique body type.
This is in storage and was really expensive so will practice on the cheaper stuff first and wait till I get a proper sewing machine.
You want to know what you are doing before you alter something expensive.
I should actually suit halter neck tops so this is where I went wrong.
Actually not sure if halter necks are for big busts?
Yes, halter necks can be flattering for small busts because they draw attention to the shoulders and collarbones and can create a balanced look. For those with smaller busts, they can enhance the upper body and create the illusion of more volume, especially when detailed with features like ruffles or embellishments. However, halter styles can be adapted for any body type and size, so they are not exclusively for small busts.
How halter necks work for small busts
- Draws attention upward: Halter necks highlight the shoulders and collarbones, directing the eye to the upper body.
- Adds dimension: The style can enhance the area and create a more balanced or curved look, especially when the top has details like ruffles, pleats, or other embellishments around the neckline.
- Versatile for all sizes: Halter tops are a versatile style that can be flattering for a wide range of body shapes and sizes, as long as the fit is right for you.
- Offers comfort: For those with smaller busts, halter tops can offer a comfortable option that doesn’t require a bra, as the style provides support through the neckline.
Tips for choosing a halter top
- Look for details: Tops with ruffles, lace, or other embellishments around the neckline can add volume and create the illusion of a fuller bust.
- Consider the fit: A well-fitting halter top will be comfortable and secure. If you’re concerned about support, look for styles with thicker straps or consider wearing one with a structured bra.
- Don’t shy away from other styles: While halter necks can be great, other necklines like V-necks, square, or sweetheart necklines also work well for small busts and can offer a different look.
Google Search
Wonder if this is a halter neck for a large bust?
It isn’t for apple shape with a small bust anyway.
This is where I went wrong I thought halter necks were just for small busts.
This is a really usefull fashion find either way ~ if you have a large bust and thought you didn’t suit a halter neck.
The band is in the right place for apple shape also, but for me it would need to flare out rather than go in then straight down.
You need more fabric maybe.
The most flattering necklines for your bust shape
Film Fashion Idea of How to Alter the purple dress.
Found a dress in Doctor in Clover (1966), now showing on November Fancy Dress Party at WordPress TV, that I might be able to style my dress on.
I could maybe change the halter neck to straps, try to get it to flare out a bit and change it to knee length.
There is extra fabric in the creases under the bust.
Got 2 more of these dresses.
Glad I hoarded them if I can alter them.
Then there should be some fabric left.
I prefer the dress in the film.
I could get rid of the silver band, it might flare out more further down the dress.
I think this is do able and would suit my body type better.
Will keep this idea for my craft room.
Will make an enjoyable future blog if you like this sort of idea.
Triangle Top Jumpers
Needed to photo the yearly Advent Calendars before I opened them.
Decided to alter a Large Bust jumper from Pre Covid Jane Norman.
Was pleasantly surprised as it went with my new bra.
It opened out the jumper into one that suited my body type better.
Realised the edges won’t fray as they are long strips of fabric.
I actually love this top now just need to tidy up the edges.
If you prefer a plunge neckline but still need support, then opting for a fuller cup triangle style might be best for you. With features including clip backs, tie backs or twist fronts – you can find a triangle style that is suited to your style and comfort.
This is obviously quite roomy to give tightness and support to a large bust ~ so does nothing for me.
By cutting the straps that make the triangle it becomes a large jumper but I like it.
Why did the fat revolt take out Jane Norman then?
Obviously it isn’t for women with small busts so makes no difference to me.
It should sort of look like this and the bust area fills the gaps in the triangle.
It is actually too long for me as well.
(The Triangle Top is easy.)
Maybe they shouldn’t of taken this shop out?
I didn’t get what it was either ~ maybe because the dummies in the window were really slim with small busts but it actually fitted someone taller and larger with a large bust.
If you have a top like this that doesn’t do anything for you here is what to do.
Snip where the 3 white lines are.
The bottom 2 can be tied in a bow as the straps obviously have a lot of stretch in them.
The top ends need neatening up.
You can just tack them under, safety pin them back, (there are safety pins in the Tesco kit) or take a little longer and do a neat job.
Mine isn’t even sewn yet I took a risk and snipped them before the photo.
Really like this jumper now.
I couldn’t design the jumper but I think a seamstress just alters ready made clothes.
It is quite a misleading top as when you put the two sized bra under it, the top stretches out and it is still too big.
Jane Norman should possibly still be there by the fat acceptance movement rules?
What is a covid seamstress?
Have to laugh as I have remembered sewing skills which are classed as seamstress skills and during covid I didn’t know what seamstress skills were.
I wonder if a seamstress doesn’t design clothes just takes them in or lets them out?
Conclusion
Hope you enjoyed this blog and it inspires some ideas for you so you can restyle your covid fashion.
You sort of realise someone was on our side through covid as we have learnt something useful and can salvage the money we thought we had wasted on missold clothes.
Looking back the only shop that really fitted me was H & M.
I often tried clothes on I really wanted but didn’t fit so had to put them back on the rail.
Or purchased clothes that sort of fitted.
Now I can either let them out or take them in.
Loving learning to be a seamstress!!!
Also remembering simming down to a 32C due to bad fashion advice based on teenage girl figures but pitched to adult women. I’m a slow learner so only just worked this out. Found it on a forum so don’t have a go at me.
Enjoy!!!
Saphire
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