Elevating THAT 90's trend

I don't know about you but I love the classic look of a t-shirt under a slip dress. This throwback style seems to be really popular again. When I saw this outfit Zoe Kravitz was wearing recently, I thought, ok THIS is slip dress and t-shirt combo and I am here for it!

Far from the pretty floral print rayon dresses paired with a basic plain tee of the 90's. This look combines a long enough basic tee with a see-through slip dress adorned with exquisite embroidered beads and beautiful draped lace. It's a bit more daring and way more sophisticated from days past. This 90's look has grown up!

I googled and googled, but was unable to find the designer/brand name for this dress. Looking at the quality of the design and embroidery, I think it would also be fairly expensive garment to purchase. But I found a way to reproduce this look with a bit of creativeness and a little bit of sewing. It all started with this $7.99 beaded top...

I found it in the "Halloween Costume" section of the thrift store. It's shimmery goodness caught my eye and I just couldn't unsee it once it was seen! The power suit shoulder pads complement it's boxy shape. It's has a very classic 1980's vibe.

Researching the brand after I purchased it indicated that it is probably a mother of the bride style from New York fashion brand, JKara. Never being sure of what to do with it, I've had it in my sewing stash for a number of years.

Independently of this, I also happened to have a slip dress sewing pattern from Vogue V9278.

Can you see where I might be going with this...?

Fast forward to now, and upon seeing this Zoe Kravitz number.... I had an idea that I could make a basic slip dress using the Vogue V9278 pattern in power mesh fabric. I could then appliqué sections of the beaded fabric from this mother of the bride top onto the slip dress. Keeping with the theme, I felt that I needed another thrifted item made of lace that I might be able to use to appliqué onto the slip dress also.

Thank you thrift store, I found a black lace number (see above)... this idea was gaining momentum and was meant to be.

First, I sewed the dress with power mesh using the Vogue pattern. I then dressed my form in the slip dress. Using the dress form, I cut smaller sections of the beads and lace and draped them on to the form pinning in place on the dress. I liked the idea of an asymmetrical look for the bust and torso.

Carefully removing the dress from the form, I tried using my sewing machine to neatly sew along the top seams. This was quite tricky as the beads turned out to be glass and were very unforgiving to my sewing machine needles. After breaking two sewing machine needles, I decided to hand sew all the rest of the appliqué sections by hand.

Here is the end result...

The remaining sections of the beaded top and lace dress I will keep for repurposing another garment. I will also save the zip and shoulder pads for another project.

How much would you say this look is worth? This was the ultimate upcycling project.

Now I think all I need is a 90's grunge band tee to wear under. I guess I am heading back out to the thrift store...

Until next time,

Sarah