Complex Geometries’ Split Square dress features a slight cowl that can be worn as a sleeve or neckline and a polished silk chiffon lining that can be worn on the outside
Today’s Globe and Mail featured an article today on the popularity of the convertible dress this summer - the dress you can wear in numerous different ways depending on how you tie it around your body.
Complex Geometries and American Apparel versions offer fresh new takes on the dresses. It’s also worth mentioning that the idea and patterns of the convertible dresses were available in the 1970s (and some would argue even before then e.g. the sarong).
If you like the convertible green dress by Nadia Tarr, those who have trolled the Craftster forums have probably seen the super popular DIY tutorial on the Infinity dress by Rowena of the Rostitchery blog posted a few years ago (which was based on a Lydia Sylvestry dress).
This was my introduction (and probably for many others!) to the convertible dress, took me only three hours (+ fabric buying time) to make, was so versatile and because it was jersey fabric, fit super well and was less than $20. So, depending on the type of jersey fabric you use, you could pretty much whip one up for any type of occassion!
Check out the Crafstter post mentioned above or Burda Style creations to see the different types of material used and variations of tying the dress!
just wanted to mention that my instructions were NOT based on the lydia sylvestry dress. those who read the craftster thread from the beginning will discover that this dress is a very old design–givenchy did his version decades ago–and that i simply described how i would make. there are many ways to make this dress, and there have been at least four commercial patterns published with versions of this dress since the late 60′s.
thanks for clarifying rowena (and for sharing your tutorial). convertible clothing pieces are great! for any decade.