1.06.2010

Vivetta d.i.y./knock off

I'm so excited to finally show you the secret d.i.y. project I was talking about a couple days ago. The project is done, the pictures are taken, and my new computer has finally arrived, soo lets get to it.

Do you remember earlier this fall when everybody was going crazy for the Vivetta collection? Every piece was done in the most wonderful winter colors with an undeniable vintage influence and the perfect combination of feminine and masculine details. I was so enthralled by the collection that I emulated one of the looks earlier in the season and now I wanted to try an easy d.i.y. project to see if I could come up with my own knock off version. To be fair, I considered buying this blue velvet majorette dress at first, but it was soo expensive and a d.i.y. project was about as close as I was coming to having it.

vivetta d.i.y./knock off
All I needed:
a loose fitting velvet dress
some sort of trim
gold buttons

After about a month or so of casually looking on my December thrift trips I was able to find the dress at Goodwill for $5. The lace was found at an estate sale for $2 and the gold buttons were a gift from my grandma. I'm pretty certain she told me they were my great aunt Helen's saved from somebody's WWII military uniform, but there were so many stories I can hardly keep them straight.

vivetta d.i.y./knock off

After a short hem job and a little bit of hand sewing my knock off dress was finally complete, and I'd say it took no longer then two or three hours. My version was definitely a romantic approach to a military inspired garment, but I think that matches my mood at the moment.

I was gonna sew some lace around the waist too but everything was already kind of crooked and I didn't want to draw attention to the problem by adding another crooked line.
(sorry the lighting was different when I photographed the before and after)

Vivetta d.i.y./knock off

And even though temperatures were far too cold to be wearing it out (the coldest it's been in ten years here in my state), I did it anyway on a very short photo walk with my sister. Don't mind the red nose!

Vivetta d.i.y./knock off

Vivetta d.i.y./knock off

Vivetta d.i.y./knock off

Vivetta d.i.y./knock off

Vivetta d.i.y./knock off

Do you like it?

Just as I was about to start writing this post I found a retail site that sales Vivetta with the majorette dress and other adorable pieces marked down to 95 euros. I'm usually really cheap and thrifty, and I don't know if I've ever spent that on a dress but I'm honestly considering it.

What do you think...should I get it?

If you wanna see more feel free to visit my photostream.

Thigh Highs: Aerie $15
Shoes: Forever 21 $24
Vintage Hat: Flea Market $3
Vintage John Romain Purse: Etsy $22

40 comments:

M. said...

i really just died, I LOVE that dress from Vivetta!!! I love your version more though, it's very old romantic and gorgeous, I love the lace and gold buttons and the color of your dress! such a great idea and find. I'm jealous beyond belief!
great job

lovelove, M.
http://marissaexplains.blogspot.com

Desiree said...

I looooove it! I also love those tights, I think I need them!

Jen Hsieh said...

you did such a lovely job with your version of the dress, and the lace is so gorgeous with the brown velvet! :)

Anonymous said...

I like your version better! The blue is a little expected, and the brown is so much more subtle and romantic. And your hat!!!!!!! I love it madly, especially paired with your super impressive DIY dress!
xx Jenny

Sarah Louise said...

I love it! I might try that myself one day.

Kassondra DeBoer said...

Oh i like your version of the dress more! You did a great job, thanks for sharing this =]

piglet said...

This is so clever and it suits you down to the ground!
Well done!

Corinna said...

Wow, great job!
After your DIY version turned out so perfectly, I'd say you shouldn't spend so much money on the real dress!
Yout thigh highs are so cute with the little bows:)

Sher said...

I think you did a really great job with this vivetta diy dress! Adding the lace makes it even prettier!! I adore your thigh highs and floral hat so much too:)

Oh I'm not sure what I should advise you, it is a very beautiful, gorgeous dress but oh the price to pay!! I would be in a dilemma too:P

xx

o said...

omgosh, what a great dyi!! the vivetta dress is gorgeous, but urs is equally beautiful:D plus, u made it for far below retail!!:D

TheOwlsCloset.blogspot.com

The Semi Sweet said...

You should totally splurge on your dream dress. Every once in a while you should treat yourself to something nice. Plus you've thought about wearing it since a couple of months ago, so you've basically already slept on it, right?

jenloveskev said...

ahhh this is AMAZING!!! Way to go! You look beautiful!

Kelley Anne said...

Your version is adorable and I love the knee socks with the shoes. And your hat is amazing!

Victoria / Justice Pirate said...

great job! It must feel great to accomplish something like that and be able to look adorable for far less money.

Melanie's Randomness said...

Oh Oh!! Good for you girl!! I love it. It looks the same! Cute poses too! =)

{Tara} said...

I'm not sure which is cuter: your dress or your hat??

M. said...

alexa's white dress is gorgeous, I loved it too! & yeah she's really sweet and funny, but the second time I met her I'm pretty sure she was a little drunk...hahah

Anonymous said...

wow you're so crafty, I am amazed! nice work here!

Amanda said...

What a great outfit! I think you did a fabulous job with the dress and I am LOVING that hat :]

juliamarisa said...

consider me inspired. now i know what i'll be doing until my roommates come home. diys!

Marta Castellanos said...

I LOVE ITT!!!I´m diying for your version!!
Lately I have been obsesed by velvet, and I only have found a skirt but I´m like crazy for a dress like yours. Now I have a sewing machine I´m gonna try to do a velvet dress for me, and maybe I will let me inspire by yours!!Be sure, it´s gorgeous!
xoxo

www.meencantamiropa.blogspot.com

Violet Folklore said...

Oh, here's the front view of the dress that I was asking for on Flickr! Wow, I absolutely adore it. Awesome job. Very happy to have found your blog :-)

Robyn said...

So well done. I like your color combo better too.

Elegant Insignificance said...

Simple yet effective DIY project, I prefer the dress you made to the original, it is certainly on-trend for spring with the romantic style and neutral colours.
xxx

Crystal Ball said...

I really need to be more creative with sewing. Your DIY project turned out really wonderful! And since you mentioned that you are normally the thrifty type, I think it's okay to splurge a bit. After all, you say don't do it often.

Kristin said...

This is seriously fabulous! I love your color palette even more than the original...it looks so adorable on you!

chelsea said...

That hat and those shoes are amazing, but I have to be completely honest, I do not see the appeal of the Vivetta dress. Maybe it is because I wore a marching band uniform for four years of my life and don't feel the need to ever wear something similar again.

Idée Géniale said...

Awesome, amazing, beautiful job! I absolutely love this look. I think my fave is the hat, so pretty!

Dylana Suarez said...

Amazing job on the dress! It looks fantastic!

colormenana.blogspot.com

guildedsecret. said...

you creativity astounds me! that dress is amazing and your vintage hat matches perfectly.

xo.
princesspolitico

Robin said...

Great DIY project! Very Inspiring!!!

stephanie renee said...

good job, it looks great on you! i love the lace

dy of ghost said...

i love the dress!

Mairyliscious said...

you look fantastic !!!!very chic!!!

Missa said...

I love your version of the dress and you styled it so beautifully, great job!

Annie, Time Enough for Drums said...

This is so awesome! I have a red velvet dress exactly like yours that I thrifted and altered for the holidays, but I just don't know a good way to wear it outside of the holiday season. You've just given me the best inspiration! Very lovely! Annie.

E said...

now i know what to do with my velvet dress!
togandtrappings.blogspot.com

Diana said...

Do i Like it?? I love it! great job!

Vivetta said...

Oh so Nice..... <3<3
I saw it on the web and it could be a new version of that dress
xx
Vivetta

Lydia said...

WOW! This is so flippin' awesome! I always wanted to DIY majorette details to something, but I wasn't sure how to go about it. Your version is soooo good, I kind of feel like it's better than the original. Since you made it!

I will never get over the awesomeness that is that hat, and you styled the dress impeccably. A++++