The words “recycle refashion refurbish reuse” are so on trend right now– We hear those words used every day especially in DIY but today’s idea was taken straight from the 80’s.
Remember when Molly Ringwald’s character Andie Walsh in 1986’s Pretty in Pink took a hand-me-down thrift-store dress and remade it into her 80s-tastic prom dress?
Well this is the same idea but today we’re taking mom’s 80s prom dress and up-cycling it into something trendy her daughter can wear to prom today. It’s PROM LIKE MOM!
Prom dress trends today are very different than what they were in the 80s. In the 80s we saw lots of big bows, we saw lots of volume, we saw dresses worn to the knee. Today things at prom look much different. Girls are wearing long sleek fitted dresses; The length is to the ground if not longer with a train on some designs. They are wearing halter-tops, strapless, and one shoulder looks are still on trend. BUT two-piece dresses with the mid drift is shown is super trendy now. And Lots of embellishments! That is the key for prom this year! Red carpet ready!
So what do you need to up-cycle a gown? The number one thing you need is a seam ripper and number two… imagination! A sewing machine helps too! Here are my high schooler’s in their mother’s 80’s dresses! Like Mother Like daughter.
The final transformation were revealed to their mom’s and the public on the TODAY Show Monday, April 27, 2015. Until that moment, their moms had not yet seen their “up-cycled” 80s gowns!
I’m hosting a Twitter contest Monday, April 27th after my TODAY Show @KLGandHoda appearance. One lucky person will have an 80’s gown “up-cycled” into something new. So send me a tweet & tell me why you need your old gown refashioned #DIYbyJane to @janemonzures
So you’ve got some left over prom gown material or no place to wear a dress…Here is what else you can do with these gowns: Reuse the materials to create something home decor items like these fancy throw pillows!
Even adding a homemade pillow a high style, pricey couch or bedroom gives the room a little touch of nostalgia; it becomes the prize piece of the room because you make it. Plus a little touch of something handmade always makes the space more inviting. And it’s guaranteed to get a lot of LIKES from guests. Also, up-cycling an old gown into pillows makes a perfect Mother’s Day gift.
TAKEAWAYS:
1) Don’t be afraid to cut that dress in half!! There is no such thing as a mistake when you are making something…it’s called CREATIVITY!
2) Doing it yourself is cost effective in today’s financially mindful world! Plus the fabric you can find on older garments would cost you a fortune in the fabric store today.
3) Instead of keeping those gowns in the closet, “up-cycling” them into something new gives you a great sense of satisfaction because you did it yourself and it’s a great way to remember the past.
