Okay- I’ve Worn This Dress 1 Time for 4 Hours

So here’s my trend of the week:

I bet that you have formal dresses that you have worn to weddings and parties that you really can’t wear again until the next occasion. Then, by the time the next event comes around you want a new dress. Am I right so far? I have a few dresses that are dressy and formal that are taking up valuable space in my shoebox of a closet. Here’s what I did about that:

The dress you see pictured here to the left is a beautiful silk Jill Stuart Dress that was actually GIVEN to me from a girl who used to work there. LOVE IT! I wore it to a wedding in September 2007 literally for 4 hours and haven’t worn it since.

So I went through my drawer and found a white “wife beater” tank to put under it… I got mine from Target.

Then I went through the belts that I have and found this 1980′s vintage leather belt with the bronze flower. This was GIVEN to me from my girlfriend who thought it was more “me” than her. I have had it for years.

Then I dusted off my ol’ best friend, my denim jacket which never goes out of style. Threw it over the shoulders to dress it down just a tad more. I have had it for 6 years- I think I paid $25.00 for it.

Then, I found this vintage faux leather bright red shoulder bag. It was GIVEN to me from a load of vintage purses that the buyer couldn’t sell. What a great way to bring color into this ensemble without making it too crazy.

Then I busted out my mama’s old turquoise medallion necklace that she GAVE to me with all her other jewelry from the 1970′s that she still had. “I’ll take that, and that….oh and I want that too…..ooooo can I have that one?” (This was how most of the conversation went when taking what I wanted from her drawers). “If you’re old enough to see it come back, then you’re too old to wear it.” says Marilyn. Needless to say, I am gracing all of her old costume jewelry, scarves and belts. Yay! Thanks Marilyn-good lookin’ out.

Then, I remembered I had this vintage beautiful rhinestone pin from Grandma Fannie…It was still in it’s original box when GIVEN to me. Great taste obviously runs in the family! It looks super fly on my jacket and I wear it with pride.

These cheapy sunglasses I got at Claire’s Boutique because I have a pea head and look like a fly in regular adult sunglasses. They were $6.00 I think.

So dust off one of your formal dresses that is taking up much needed space in your closet and dress it DOWN. Make use of what you have already instead of buying something new!

I am – The Dress Recycler.