Fashion Forward

Fashion Forward

Upcycling for the Holidays

In Louisiana summers are active and fun; however it’s the holiday season that takes socializing to new levels. In this section, we wanted to help you take that old dress tucked away in the closet and repurpose it for the holiday festivities ahead! By using a dress you already own and making a few changes, like shortening the length and adding or taking away embellishments you turn a one-time use into a new holiday favorite.

We tried to keep this simple so those who don’t use sewing machines can

still create something fresh and new. Cutting off a formal gown can sound scary, however as long as you follow a few guidelines you’ll find converting that beautiful gown from a one-time use garment to a fun dress for the holidays can be easy. Mermaid or fishtail gowns are usually simple converts because they typically have a seam that joins the tail to the rest of the dress. Most often you’ll find that it falls at the perfect length. Dresses with netting can be a bit more work, however they may not all require a

new hem, only the underskirt will need it. Others will demand a hem and it can be done with a washcloth, water, a few standard items like scissors and an iron, and a “tape” used for hemming that you can find at most big box stores.

Here are our upcycling examples with dresses that were either stuffed in a closet or bought for around six dollars through thrifting! Most important is preparation. With more time you can also add or remove different elements to make it unique!

20 | MODERN GRACE

PHOTOS: ALEXIS JESTER

24 | MODERN GRACE