How to Bring an Outdated Dress into Fashion

(500 Words)
You have a dress that you love, but it is hopelessly outdated… or so you think. Just because an outfit hails from last year or even last decade does not mean that it is definitely ready for the circular file. There are many ways that you can update an outdated look to make it fresh, unique and definitely in fashion.
You might need to do a little dress surgery. First, get rid of features that hail from the past. For instance, you might have a dress that you love, but it has shoulder pads that make you seem like a linebacker. Such large shoulder pads were once the height of fashion, but now you do not see them too often, especially on a more casual dresses. You might simply be able to go in there, pull or cut them out and have a dress that looks better right away.
There might be another features you might want to lose. For instance, a dress might have a large bow that you can just cut off to make it look more modern.
You can also make some other alterations to dresses. Sometimes it just involves a little cutting. For instance, you may have a beautiful dress except it is old-fashioned and way too long. It might be perfect if only it were a little shorter. Even someone who is not an experienced seamstress can often just raise a hemline. It might have extremely poof sleeves that were once in style but now look silly. You can cut them off and change the sleeves.
Is the color an issue? Back in the 80s, bright neon colors were all the rage. You may have a dress that has a great shape, form and fit, but it is the most hideous shade of highlighter neon yellow that you have ever seen. Instead of throwing it away, you can dye the dress and turn it into a much more subdued and in fashion color. Be very careful with dyes, especially when you are switching from one color to another. Make sure you read all directions. You can also be artistic and use different colors or make designs on it.
You don’t always need to cut and sew to make something updated. It might be much simpler than that. For instance, you might be able to add a great chic accessory such as a crystal belt, a shrug or a scarf to make the dress look more updated. Try on different accessories with it to see what looks the best.
You should always be careful when making any changes to dresses that involve cutting, sewing, etc. You don’t want to accidentally do something that could ruin the entire dress. Make sure you know exactly what you are doing or you can bring it to a professional.
Don’t throw out your old dresses just because they seem outdated. Instead, think about what you can do to update the look to essential give you a brand new beautiful dress.