Tag Archives: 17 sundays

Remix: Sunspots dress-to-skirt

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Frocks and Frou Frou Frocks and Frou Frou Frocks and Frou Frou Frocks and Frou FrouTop: Princess Highway

Skirt: Remixed from 17 Sundays dress

Shoes: Seychelles

You may remember this dress, which I bought from 17 Sundays back at the start of the year. I wasn’t particularly happy with the fit of the bodice – it was short-waisted and baggy with armholes cut too deep, and it didn’t suit my figure at all. Belted and worn with a cardigan it was okay, but it was definitely one of those one-hit-wonder style outfits, which meant it spent most of its time languishing in my wardrobe.

Last week I finally mustered up the energy to remix it from a dress into a skirt, using the same process I did all those years ago when I altered a too-small Gorman dress I’d splurged on (you can find the tutorial here).

Frocks and Frou FrouIt was a fairly easy remix – the bodice had enough fabric in it for me to cut two waistband strips, which I interfaced for stability as the fabric itself is a soft and stretchy jersey. Because the skirt already fit well around the waist I was able to salvage the pleats by basting them in place before I removed the bodice to Frankenstein it into a waistband.

Frocks and Frou FrouI’m really happy with the result, and I’m getting a lot more use out of the dress as a mix-and-match separate that I can wear with a variety of different tops including this pretty rose-pink sweater from Princess Highway.

Screen Shot 2016-08-15 at 11.00.45 PMMEANWHILE!

I’m hilariously excited about Melbourne Fashion Week Plus, which is taking place 22-28 August. There’s a slew of events taking place, including four – count them, FOUR – runway shows, and a variety of panels on everything from feminism, to the state of the plus-size industry.

The organisers are keen to ensure that it’s an event that promotes everything about plus size culture: design, discourse and body positivity.

The runway shows include several new designers that are new to me, as well as some of my long-time favourites, and I’ll definitely be attending all four, so hopefully I can bring you news of some brilliant new local and international names to add to your lust-lists – If you’re in Melbourne I’d thoroughly recommend you check the event out yourself (and if you need another excuse to visit Melbourne and would like to make a weekend of it A+ Markets have scheduled their next market for the 28th, too)

You can find tickets for MFWPlus here.

Goldrush

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frocks and frou frou Frocks and Frou Frou Frocks and Frou Frou Frocks and Frou FrouDress: 17 Sundays

Cardigan: Calvin Klein Plus

Belt: secondhand via A+ Market. Similar here

Shoes: Mel by Melissa

I saw this 17 Sundays “Steal My Sunshine” dress pop up in my Facebook feed just before Christmas while the independent Australian brand was having a whopping 25% off sale. The gold foil dots, the pleated skirt and wearable jersey fabric. I was sold.

I haven’t had a lot of experience with 17 Sundays, but the sizes they had were fairly limited, so I ordered the size 16 and hoped for the best. When it arrived I was totally delighted to discover that the gold dots were as shiny, the pleats as permanent, and the jersey fabric as soft and comfortable as I could have dreamed of.

I’d been hoping that the dress would be something I could comfortably throw on and be instantly and effortlessly glamorous but sadly, the unadulterated dress didn’t play nicely with my figure:PicMonkey Collage

The shoulder straps sit too narrow on my shoulders, making my upper arms look quite beefy; and the armholes are cut too deep, exposing my bra and plenty of what I’ve discovered is called “sleevage” (that poochy little little bit of flesh in your armpit). The waist rides high (possibly the Rack of Doom taking up too much real estate) but it’s also too loose, and the whole fit is just a bit of a disaster. In a perfect world I’d swap the 16 for a dress one or two sizes larger, then bring in at the sides (the way one of my followers, Laura, told me she’d done). I tried the larger size on in Myer (where I believe it’s still available, FYI) and the longer waist made all the difference.

I REALLY loved the gold dots though, and I couldn’t quite muster the energy to alter the dress so instead I belted it with a fabulous gold glitter belt that I’d bought secondhand from Miss Kate (AKA Misty Belvedere) at the A+ Markets, and the gold(ish) cardigan/jacket that I bought years ago from Calvin Klein Plus at Macy’s.

Frocks and Frou FrouA little accessorising and my “nope” turned into a definite “yep” and this little ensemble is a new favourite go-to.

It’s not as effortless and casual-chic as I’d hoped, but the effect is a lot more elegant and grown-up (and multi-seasonal). Down the track I might end up whacking off the bodice and just wearing those gorgeous soft pleats as a skirt, but for now I’m content to just rise-and-repeat the entire outfit.

Apparently 17 Sundays is planning to release a new version of the dress with a seamed bodice (which I’m pretty excited about trying), but there’s no guarantee the dots’ll be back so if you’re loving the effect of gold on heathered grey you should probably hit up a local Myer soon before they all get snapped up.