As you might have noticed around here, I don’t wear mini dresses. So when I’m shopping, it’s majorly annoying to find and fall in love with a mini dress in a gorgeous pattern or color, cause throwing on a pair of leggings underneath it totally changes the look for me, and not usually in a good way.
So I was thinking about this annoying situation a few weeks ago, and then I ran across this pin that I’d pinned ages ago and it sparked an idea. Instead of fighting the mini dress, how about I just make it work for me? An easy chop and hem, and suddenly it’s a darling hi-low top that doesn’t alter the gorgeous print, and doesn’t look silly with leggings.
Such was the case with this darling dress from Lulu*s that they sent me. A quick refashion and now it’s one of my favorite tops that looks amazing with jeans, shorts, or even a pencil skirt.
Here’s how I styled it, and a super easy tutorial is at the end of this post!
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This tutorial doesn’t work for every mini dress, but it works for many of them, especially shift dresses that have one color or print all over the dress, like mine. I would love to try it with this navy and white graphic print dress, this amazing neon and mint dress, or even this navy contrast sleeve dress! What do you think??
Step 1 // Start with a mini dress, obviously. Try it on and determine the length you want to cut in the front. Add half an inch for seam allowance and mark or pin this spot. Do the same for the back.
Step 2 // Lay it profile, flat on the ground, and cut according to your pin marks, making it a hi-low hem.
Step 3. Hem.
(note: mine had a lining, so I did the exact same steps, just making it about an inch shorter on all sides so it didn’t show).
Also, Lulu*’s is featuring this tutorial here — check it out!
top: refashion (dress c/o lulu*s here)
jeans: c/o dittos
boots: old navy, refashioned (tutorial here)
bag: c/o lily jade
necklace: c/o jewelmint
ray-bans: c/o sunglasses shop
So simple! I'm with you, at 33 and mother of a little one, my days of mini dresses are long gone. Thanks for the great solution, and the tutorial! http://www.texaslovely.com
I have this same problem – so many of the dresses out now are WAY too short on me (tall girl problems). Love the idea and turning them into a top! 🙂
http://www.pennypincherfashion.com
I love this print and I also love your boots 🙂
Anne
Rays of Rossi
Love how you made it a top! Gorgeous print!
The Style Storm
<3, Christina
It's so wonderful when you can take a piece you love and make it work for you! This is such a simple fix. Of course usually I don't have a problem with mini dresses, at 5'2" they are typically a great length, hehe.
Chic on the Cheap
$200 Gift Card Giveaway!
This is a gorgeous top! Thanks for the quick tutorial!
Becky
http://bybmg.blogspot.com
This is such a great idea Merrick!! Being 5'8" and about a 110 pounds with a very long waist, tall and skinny is so problematic for buying dresses that aren't completely mini. Where do you typically find such long dresses and skirts? Or are they all refashions or hand sewn?
P.S. Your blog is such an inspiration to me….I look forward to logging on each day for a new post…and get a bit sad when the weekend comes around and there are no posts!!
That top is perfection Merrick! I am going to have to fly you to UT and get some sewing lessons!
XO
Love Me, Dani Marie
I love how easy you make all your refashions look! I'm going to have to try some out!
Paige
http:///thehappyflammily.com
I have rounder thighs than you do and have always been taught to accentuate my waist (it's one of my better features). So I have a hard time picturing a flowing top with a pencil skirt. Can that really look good? or do you have to have a certain figure? I would be afraid that I'd feel like a tent. It's probably just my perception. But I do like the idea of taking these mini dresses and making tops! There are so many more options if you're willing to alter it.
I have a curvy figure and always pair flowy tops with pencil skirts – I think the slightly fuller top actually accentuates your waist more where it comes in to meet the top of the skirt.
LOVE the way this turned out!
Kristina does the Internets
This is so adorable and creative! Love how it turned out!
This whole look has the perfect pops of colors.
xoxo
Kate
This print is AWESOME! I love love love this top!
That is a lovely outfit! And sweet pictures! 🙂
Kisses
Tabea
http://wolkedrei.blogspot.de/
this is a brilliant idea! i also don't wear mini dresses, and my go-to is black stretchy pencil skirts, which look silly under most mini dresses. This is a perfect solution!
your outfit is fantastic! I love the orange in your shoes and the pattern of your top. and of course that you made it by yourself!
http://www.schweizer-fashionmama.blogspot.ch
Oh I love this idea!! I need to do this. ThAnks for sharing!
What a pretty top. May I ask how many outfits you can fit into one of your sessions with the photographers you are using? Lovely photos
Your pics are gorgeous! I definitely need to make a top like this one (:
Love this idea! It turned out great. There are so many mini dresses that I love because of their print, but the hem is just too short for my liking. I am going to give this a try! Thanks for a great post 🙂
-Darcy
darcymae.com
I love this top – I wish I had better sewing skills!
I’m 5’7″ and 130 pounds thus the same problem here! I’d also like to hear some suggestions!
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