Thrift Store Couture #1: Flowy Denim Vest

I just recently got back from Craftcation, which is a business and makers conference, but really, it’s like summer camp for creatives! I took a ton of classes while I was there, but one of my favorites had to be the Thrift & Upcycle class taught by the fantastic Marisa Lynch of New Dress a Day! Check her out—she does some amazing things with thrifted clothing! As a part of the class, we went out thrifting in downtown Ventura, California. I bought so much, I wasn’t sure how I was going to get it all home!

The first project I tackled was my flow denim vest. I picked up this too small denim dress with the thought that I could cut it off and make a vest. It didn’t matter that it was too small, because who buttons up a vest anyway? Not this girl!

Too small denim dress

As we were walking to our favorite local restaurant in Ventura, Duke’s Griddle & Grill, inspiration struck. I bought this gorgeous strapless dress that also didn’t fit me properly. Why not attach the dress to the denim to make a flowy vest?

Strapless dress (with the top part already removed)

And here it is folks! The floral design was the front of the strapless dress, but I kept it in the back of the vest because I didn’t want to cut it. I cut down the back of the dress so that I could attach it to the denim and voila! A flowy vest!

I super love my new vest! I just really like flowy things [my computer keeps insisting that “flowy” is not a word, but I. do. not. care. I’m using it anyway!]. Stay tuned for more in my Thrift Store Couture series because I have a ton of thrift store finds to get through!