Tartan

This was my very first refashion ever - it's actually one of the better ones!
I bought the dress at a thrift shop (judging from the lovely shoulder pads it must be from the 80s), turned it back to front, tweaked the sides, cut the arms and the length, changed the neckline. The first time I wore it a woman came up to me in the airport security line and told me that she loved my dress. Her compliment has spurned me on.

The Queen Dress

Here’s the story that goes with the dress:

In the early 90s my mom and stepdad were invited to one of the Queen’s (of England, naturally) Royal Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace. Since the dress code called for “afternoon dress” for the ladies (arms and knees to be covered) and my mom already had a fabulous black wide brimmed hat, she popped over to her favorite dressmaker and had this lovely chiffon and silk dress made to match the hat (that's me, not my mom).

Normally Queen Elisabeth and Prince Philip, the Queen Mum and Prince Charles attend these parties and mingle with their guests. But since Charles had just fallen off his horse, Lady Di was there to replace him. My mom met Lady Di!

I’m sure my mom looked simply gorgeous back then; however, the style was a little too late 80s/early 90s to be able to wear in 2011. I was allowed to take it home to refashion and I have to admit that I cheated and used a pattern for the top part – I couldn’t bear to just cut into the fabric without a proper plan.

It turned out royally, didn't it?