Vineyard Vines Imitation Dress

When Vineyard Vines released their Après collection, I instantly fell in love with one dress. However, it was well beyond my budget, costing nearly $400! Nonetheless, I was determined to have something similar.

I visited my local fabric store and found a fabric that closely resembled the desired dress. I decided it was the perfect match. I made this dress entirely in my college freshman dorm. It initially took 8 hours to make the dress, but I later made some size alterations to the bodice which added an extra hour.

The first step involved cutting the skirt. I opted for a size that was four times the size of my waist so that when gathered, it would have plenty of volume, allowing for maximum twirl-ability. I also preferred a longer length, and it ended up reaching about halfway down my calves.

Next, I cut out the bodice piece. It was essentially a tube designed to fit my torso, and I gathered the top near my chest to add a bit of flair. This differed from the original Vineyard Vines design, which featured ruching on the bodice. However, I didn't have access to a ruching machine.

To assemble the dress, I carefully aligned the two back seams of the bodice and skirt. Once they were seamlessly joined, I added an invisible zipper, which covered the entire back of the bodice and approximately the first four inches of the skirt.

For the ruffle, I cut several 4-inch wide strips and sewed them together until they were about double the length of the skirt's circumference. I pressed the seams and then executed a rolled hem on one side of the strip to ensure the exposed edge had a finished appearance.

Taking the long strip, I attached the raw edge, gathered it, and pinned it to the bottom of the skirt, ensuring the right sides were facing each other. Then, I sewed it in place to create the lovely ruffle effect.

With the dress nearly complete, I had to make the top ruffle for the straps. I used narrower strips and finished the edges on each side with a serging stitch. I then stretched a piece of elastic and sewed it onto one edge of the fabric strip, creating a scrunched piece of fabric.

I sewed this ruffle onto the top edge of the bodice and fashioned the strip into straps before sewing it to the back of the bodice on both sides to complete the dress.

While the dress wasn't particularly challenging to make, the fabric was on the expensive side, costing $12 per yard, and I purchased 8 yards of it. With the thread and elastic, I spent over $100 on the project. However, I'm pleased with the results, so I can't complain too much.

This dress has been patiently waiting in my closet for the right occasion, whether it's wearing it in the snow or for Christmas photos. Until then, it will remain there.