My $1 Dress – The 1930’s Vintage Dress Rescue!

It was going to be an oil rag, but I wore it to the orchestra!

This is a story of a rescue. My best rescue yet in fact. The beautiful 1930’s dress I found and saved from a tragic end as an oil rag by some mechanic who thought it was junk…

I was on vacation in a small country town and what I found I was not expecting! I saw the sign ‘thrift store’ and of course, as if it was a force of gravity had to immediately stop, pull over and enter!

I was searching through the store with anticipation, as everyone knows you find the best stuff in the country!

I casually strolled passed a section labeled ‘remnants’. As expected it was full of small random bits of bad looking polyester and cotton print so ugly and itchy it is all but destined for life as oil rags.

But wait, I noticed the pretty green print, and as soon as I touched the fabric I recognised the unmistakeable vintage rayon, then as I begun to slowly pull out the lump of fabric, it began to resemble a dress!

I now began to get very excited as I started pulling the dress out and as I ran my eyes over the seams, I found the metal zip, the stitching detail and finally as the dress was hanging out in front of me, the  overall style.

I began to realize that what I was holding was a genuine vintage 1930’s dress, I really beautiful one at that!

Barely any damage, only minor wear and tear and all appeared reparable at first glance, I then looked at the size…. OMG it also looks my size!!! Then I find the price tag…. I read $1 ….. Is this a joke??

I nearly fell over and could barely contain my excitement!!! The ladies at the counter of course thought I was crazy when I told them I was going to wear it!

After a closer inspection at home, when I had stopped hyperventilating, I could confirm that the only damage I need to fix was the frayed velvet trim on the right side of the neckline, some seam splitting, and the un-even hem. THAT’S IT!

With just some minor adjustments to this vintage dress, I was able to bring it back to life and wear it to the orchestra! It is so beautiful, the fabric it silky but heavy, the skirt full and style glamourous! PERFECT!

For the evening I matched it with a light fringed shawl to cover my shoulders and chest a little and keep the chill off!

I decided that I needed just a little sparkly hair slide I last wore when I was bridesmaids for a friend. I added some feathers for some more ‘fabulous’, of course!

This is my most favourite rescue to date. This beautiful dress was about to die a premature death by a dirty car mechanic wiping engine grease all over at.

I treasure this piece in my collection now and am looking for new accessories and ways to style it for the next wear!

Do you love giving clothing new life like as much as me?

What has been your favourite rescue of vintage clothing??

Let me know in the comments, I would love to hear your stories!