Conceptualized by Ellen while bargain shopping in Florida, this post exhibits ingenuity at its finest. Go into any thrift store or visit a garage sale, and you will be hard pressed to not find an outdated skirt of awkward length and matronly shape. How can this plethora of grandmotherly garments be best put to use? Easy! Just hike it up! Not it an immodest way of course, but in a way that gives new life to a lifeless skirt. Just bring the elastic waistband over your chest, then belt or sash it, and ‘voila’! A new fashionable dress has been born. Add a vest, cardigan, or button-up shirt. Go crazy with your choice of shoes and accessories and you will have successfully pulled off an inexpensive outfit without it looking cheap. Enjoy these before and after pictures and get inspired to do the same!
Skirt: Aqua Print Pleated
Store: ThriftSmart
Price: $3.99
Belt: Purple Leather, Gold Buckle
Store: ThriftSmart
Price: $1.99
Model: Ashley Burns
Total Thrift Cost: $5.98
Skirt: Pink Printed
Store: ThriftSmart
Price: $3.99
Vest: Long, Grey
Belt: Wide, Black & Grey
Store: ellen’s closet
Price: priceless
Model: D. Ellen Kay
Total Thrift Cost: $3.99
i like to call this my ‘Cotton Candy My Little Pony’ dress! -d.ellen
Skirt: Black, Floral
Store: Thrift Store-Lakeland,FL
Price: $1.99
Belt: Robin Egg Blue
Store: ThriftSmart
Price: $1.99
Shoes: Black, Heeled Boots
Store: ashley’s closet
Price: priceless
Total Thrift Cost: $3.98
Skirt: Blue Polka Dot
Store: ThriftSmart
Price: $2.00
Sash: Red Chiffon
Store: ThriftSmart
Price: $1.99
Socks: Red Crew
Shoes: Purple T-strap Heels
Store: ellen’s closet
Total Thrift Cost: $3.99
We hope you have been inspired by this project! If you have a great find you want to tell us about, or a picture of your skirt to dress find, go ahead and email us at- tocatchathrift@gmail.com
all our thrifty love,
All photos taken by Beth of bethany renee photography, who can be reached at- beth@draxe.com
[AWD_likebutton]
I’m in love with this guys. Love the site. Can’t wait to follow and see what else comes up!!
thanks Natalie! we appreciate the love
Love it. I have been doing this for years and it really helps to extend the life of a tired skirt.
<3 <3 <3
Ashley you are so cute. My sister can just throw stuff together like this and make it look fabulous. I don’t have the gift. I would look like a nun in a curtain if I tried this haha
Precious! Keep it coming
This is remarkable! you people are remarkable! i am going thrift store shopping right when i get home! thanks!
BRILLIANT! Thank you so much. I had a skirt that I thought I would get altered, but now I have a dress!!–Alice
How great! Less work is always nice
what a fabulous idea!
[...] (donated to me while in college) and the blue polka dot maxi skirt from Thriftsmart we featured in our very first blog post – resulting in what may possibly be the most inexpensive outfit EVER ever worn by [...]
[...] previous TCAT projects that some of the materials are from? Bet you can! These might help…. HINT HINT [...]