Dress Inspiration from Ready-to-Wear

Hello there, friends!

I don’t often shop for clothing, which is pretty obvious by this blog.  When I do, it’s usually just for undergarments or leggings and maybe a few cardigans here and there.  And yes, shoes.  I do spend quite a lot of time looking at shoes…..  However, I get really inspired by dresses that are of my design aesthetic and I go absolutely crazy for those that are made of fabrics that I could actually purchase.  The first time I became aware of this fabric phenomenon was whilst reading this post on the Harts Fabric blog where they showcased some RTW dresses made out of fabrics from their store.  Ever since that post, I couldn’t get the Michael Miller Gay Paree fabric out of my mind, and I picked some up a few weeks ago to make my own dress.  I’ve been planning my upcoming sewing projects and playing with fabrics this morning and I posted earlier on IG about how I am planning to use that lovely fabric.

Modcloth “Oui are the world dress” inspiration

I love the Modcloth version (sadly no longer available), but I wanted to use it as inspiration, not just make a copy of it.  I envisioned using piping with this fabric as well as a navy contrast like the Modcloth dress.  I knew that piping works very well with the Sewaholic Cambie pattern, so I found a navy sateen remnant in my stash as well as some red piping and paired the two together.  It helped me immensely to sketch this out in my Curvy Sketchbook to figure out how I was going to use the color contrasts.  This project is currently about third or fourth in my sewing queue, but I’m thinking that I might just have to move it up.  A dress from this fabric has been living in my dreams for a while now and making it a reality would be so wonderful!  Then I can share a collage with the Inspiration to Reality!

As I truly love when other bloggers have shared RTW designs paired with fabrics and patterns so you can sew it yourself, I decided to try my hand at it and share a few with you.  And of course as these are RTW dresses, that means you could actually buy them if you didn’t want to sew it yourself.  Sometimes that ends up being the cheaper option, doesn’t it?  🙂

[Disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate links.  All opinions are my own.]

These are how I would use the same fabrics to achieve a similar look.

Modcloth “Spellbinding Ability dress” inspiration

I’ve always loved this Michael Miller border print fabric.  In fact, I used the mint version of it in this McCall’s 6696 shirt dress.  The dress by Modcloth is the “Spellbinding Ability in Gold Dots”, using the Michael Miller Glitz Metallic Confetti border print in white.  I think it would be lovely paired with the Jennifer Lauren Felicity dress pattern.  As the dots on the border print are scattered, it wouldn’t be too difficult to cut the pockets and the front bodice seam to match each other and come out with a similar version to the inspiration dress.  Add a gold belt and some gold sandals and you have one awesome outfit.

Modcloth “Sight for Sunrise dress” inspiration

While the Modcloth “Sight for Sunrise dress” doesn’t seem to have exactly the same print as the Michael Miller Lucy Dotted Floral in mint green, it is very similar.  I picked up the new Theresa LaQuey designed 1950’s sundress pattern — Simplicity 8051 — which I think would be a perfect pairing with this fabric.  I’d add some piping like the inspiration dress and sport some red heels.  To give more of a pin-up effect, add a petticoat and some kitschy jewelry.

Modcloth “Archive Got the Power dress” inspiration

Oh man, as soon as I saw the Modcloth “Archive Got the Power dress”, I wondered why I, a bibliophile, have never thought of that before!  The fabric is Timeless Treasures Packed Books and really awesome, in my opinion.  I would pair it with my beloved Decades Everyday ESP dress pattern along with a lovely red belt and red sandals.  If I had some Harry Potter earrings, I’d also wear it with this.

Modcloth “Heart and Solar System dress” inspiration

As a sci-fi fangirl, I really don’t know why I don’t have a galaxy print dress yet.  I do have a Doctor Who dress and a Star Trek dress, so I guess it’s not all bad, eh?  I’m really in love with the Robert Kaufman Stargazers Space Collage fabric used in the Modcloth “Heart and Solar System” inspiration dress.  That fabric would look great with the Butterick 5748 Retro 1960’s dress, which is a pattern that I’ve made a couple of times.  I’d omit the bow and probably wear a white or yellow belt and matching sandals.  I’d probably rock my TARDIS earrings with it for a complete fangirl look.

I don’t know about you, but I want all of this in my closet!

Check out more dresses and accessories from Modcloth’s new Romantic Roadtrip Style collection.

Happy Sewing!