www.zgoddess.com

With the economy these days, everyone is looking for new and inventive ways to cut costs. How many times have you said to yourself, I love that dress but it is totally out of my price range?  Look no further than your own closet for hidden treasures from your past. You can look stylish, spend very little, and get a new outfit just by thinking outside the box!

I recently met up with our very own zGoddess, Susan, who was looking for a fabulous cocktail dress to wear to a party. She had a gorgeous James Galanos couture dress from the 1980’s languishing in the back of her closet that hadn’t been worn in years. It was black, long-sleeved, and beautifully crafted of Belgian lace intertwined with black satin ribbon. The Problem? The dress was dated, too big, and Susan was drowning in a sea of heavy wool and lace.  Enter Seattle master dressmaker and couturier, Doreen Staples. Doreen suggested updating Susan’s dress for the 21^st century with a few simple adjustments. The basic silhouette would stay the same, but she’d lighten the heaviness by removing the sleeves, taking in the sides, and shortening the skirt to just above the knees.

“Good design, good pieces are timeless,” said Doreen. “For this dress, we need to liven it up and make it less dowdy.” She said that pulling in the skirt would cost about $40, shortening the hem, around $30. Taking off the sleeves and finishing the shoulder, would be more advanced, but would cost around $40 - $50 depending on the intricacy of the dress. In Susan’s case, her designer dress had special details that had to be considered.

Doreen flipped the dress inside out to show me the exquisite workmanship. “See these seams? These are called Hong Kong bias seams. Only true couture designs have this. You need to find a tailor experienced with this level of detail. Simple things like raising a hem, you can take to your local alterations place. However, with a special piece like Susan’s, you need to ask around and find someone who is not intimidated by altering a designer piece,” Doreen said.

A week later, Doreen’s worked her magic, and Susan’s dress is cocktail party ready – reworked, revamped, and revitalized! Her dress is now updated, elegant and sexy at the same time. $120 in alterations is a small price to pay for a brand new outfit. This is the ultimate in salvaged chic. Remember, ultimately, that it is not the dress that is important. What’s important is how you wear it and the confidence that exudes from within when you know you are looking your best.

Inspired? Look in your closet to see what you can find. With the holiday party season coming up, you just may have what you are looking for right under your nose. Give it a try it and let me know what gems are hiding in YOUR closet. I’d love to hear about your treasures!