Photography by Stephanie Olani Reyes
So one of my roommates picked out this skirt for me to upcycle. Of course, she thought it was hideous and I thought it was amazing, especially for $3.50. Just a tad too large as it was a 3XL. But this velvet…amazing.
I knew this was something I would wear again if I kept this a maxi skirt and just took it in. Unfortunately, the elastic was sewed to the skirt which added a degree of difficulty. I simply measured where I would be taking the skirt in, resewed the elastic together making the waistband smaller, and cut off the excess. I decided to add a leg slit to spice it up a bit (props to my roommate again for cutting the slit for me). With the extra fabric, I had enough to make it into a cropped tube top. The tube top was simple to make, I just hemmed the ends of the scrap fabric, and made a 1 inch pocket for the elastic to go in on the top and bottom of the tube top. To finish it you just sew the ends of the fabric together. Now be warned, this is not my best quality work. I’ll probably go back in and clean the pieces up a bit to make them more wearable, as I was a little rushed to finish this project up. You also have a chance to check out my six pack in these photos as well. You’re welcome.
Maxi Skirt Outfit:
Top: Forever 21
Skirt: Goodwill, upcycled
Boots: Target, similar here
Necklace: Urban Outfitters, similar here and here
Rings: Goodwill and Madewell
Bracelet: found at a vintage store, similar here and here
Crop Tube Top Outfit:
Top: Goodwill, upcycled
Pants: Urban Outfitters BDG, similar here and on sale!
Sweater: American Eagle Outfitters
Boots: Target, similar here
Necklace: Urban Outfitters, similar here and here
Rings: Goodwill and Madewell
Resourceful Refinement 
Unbelievable!! Love the pasitiveness about the challenge! How much was the skirt?
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only $3.50!
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Christina, you are very talented and beautiful.
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Look at you working that sewing machine~!!!! Very Cool~!
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Love what you did with the 2 outfits. Really creative ! Love the term “up cycle” – did you make that one up? Also, I think it’s great that your photos all look like you are really having fun with this project. Rock on Christina!
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I heard it when I was over in London and we based our fashion show production around the term since all the styles were recycled. But this is going to end up being my final project for my Senior Seminar, but it has been a lot of fun so far!
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Love it, You look great, You rock Christina
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Thank you!!
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Christina, I would never go to all that trouble but you’ll never see another lady wearing your maxi skirt and crop top. Fashion is a lot of time and patience–too much for me. Aunt Rita
Date: Fri, 21 Feb 2014 22:05:22 +0000 To: marialannutti@msn.com
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Looks great Christina!
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