Search results for

before and after

Before | The Checkered Dress

Say you’re vintage shopping and you see this shoulder-padded, fuchsia-checked, long-sleeved, high-necked dress.

pink-check-dress-before

Some of you might recoil in disgust and throw it right back on the rack.

check-dress-detail

I did a little happy dance. Because I love nothing more than to reinvent a vintage secretary dress.

pink-checkered-dress-before

This one looks like a 1980’s take on an 1880’s school teacher’s ensemble. And for that, I love it.

I’m taking it to the tailor today and you’ll be the first to see the “after” shots once she’s worked her magic.

P.S. Let’s take a journey through some of The Anthology’s best before/afters, shall we? Like this printed jacket “before” and “after“. Oh, and these ridiculous pants look so much better after they became shorts.

September 14, 2011 by

After | The Printed Jacket

You remember this, right? (I’m not cruel enough to repost that “before” shot again — I figured you’ve suffered through it enough).

jacket-pup1

We can all rejoice! Because thanks to the magic of tailoring, that vintage monstrosity now looks like this.

after-printed-jacket2

Thank heavens, right? It was dicey there for a minute.

printed-jacket-after

As far as transformations go, this one was fairly simple — tucked in a few of the seams to take away its bulk.

kelsey-printed-jacket-after

And rolled up the sleeves (all the better to clap with, my dear).

[Shirt by JNBY, shorts by BCBGMAXAZRIA, RoseGold sandals from Holt Renfrew.]

P.S. Your weekend is about to get a lot more fun — The Anthology and Mattel are giving away Live at Squamish tickets and a Mattel Game On! prize pack. Get on it before it’s too late!

P.P.S. And those of you who are in my blogging/branding workshop at SFU this weekend, I promise to serenade you so you feel like you’re rocking out in a field with all your best friends.

August 16, 2011 by

Before | The Printed Jacket

Because I know nothing brightens your day quite like some “before” shot ugliness, I present to you this specimen, which seems like it must be from the early ’90s.

printed-jacket-before

It’s just so ridiculous, so boxy, so outrageously unflattering, I had to post it twice (I want to make sure you really get a chance to take it all in).

printed-jacket-before1

You want more? I could keep going. But instead I’ll let you contemplate what it’s going to look like after it’s been tailored.

You’re welcome.

P.S. Nothing brightens my day quite like having your face on The Anthology’s Facebook page. So like it, will ya?

P.P.S. Take a look at some of The Anthology’s worst “before” shots of all time here. And here. Oh, and also here.

July 27, 2011 by

Before: The Printed Pants

I don’t even know what to say about these. Other than that they were a “gift” from a friend who challenged me to turn these into something wearable.

printed-pants-pre-alterations

What is it that makes people give/challenge me with hideous pieces of clothing?

printed-pants-before

I don’t know, but I’m not complaining. That’s where two of The Anthology’s best before-and-afters came from: the granny nightie and the Hammer pants (thank you, Surina and Melissa!).

before-printed-pants

Man, I can’t wait to show you the “after” shots.

P.S. We pick a winner of the Justine Brooks Helicopter giveaway on Wednesday. Enter while there’s still time!

June 7, 2011 by

Forget the best and worst of 2009

I present to you the Anthology’s top ten most ridiculous moments of 2009. Oh what a year it was.

10. Most ridiculous 12 seconds of fame — Dancing on stage. On national television. Thank you, MTV Canada.

mtv-after-show-shoot

9. Most ridiculous “before” shot — the mumu that one Anthology reader compared to a hospital gown.

mumu-b4

8. Most ridiculous poorly behaved beast — my cuddly, four-legged vehicle of destruction. If I had shots of the holes he chewed in our walls, I’d include those too.

leroy-digging

7. Most ridiculous matchy matchiness – me and my dad wear rad plaid. Is that really so bad?

dad-plaid

6. Most ridiculous water safety violation — diving head first into the Mediterranean. Never mind the fact that the water was about six feet deep.

kids-swim-antalya-turkey

5. Most ridiculous concert — my favourite fantasy-themed electronic dance rock band the WZRDZ. And they’ll be playing more shows in Vancouver in 2010, friends!

wzrdz-lucky-bar

4. Most ridiculous place to set my camera’s timer and take a self-photo – Queen Elizabeth Theatre’s foyer. Have I no shame?

vancouver-opera-kelsey-anthology

3. Most ridiculous reason to be recognized — my eel skin purse. But I suppose that’s what I get for cropping my head out of every photo.

eel-skin-purse
2. Most ridiculous display of obsession — did I really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really need to write that many posts about Phoenix?

wolfgang-amadeus-phoenix

1. Most ridiculous puppy paws — the baby beast. Honestly Leroy. How did you walk with those things?

black-lab-puppy-shoes

Here’s to an even more ridiculous 2010! Happy New Year!

December 31, 2009 by

after + before

At first I was afraid, I was petrified that I wouldn’t be able to make something wearable out of leather, chain and pirate charms.

gold-leather-charm-bracelet

But I’m sooo happy (and a little surprised) with how it turned out.

pirate-bracelet-after

And it was simple simple simple to make. I braided ultra suede strips with gold chain and hung charms off of it. I made it long enough to be a necklace or to wrap three times around your wrist.

leather-charm-gold-bracelet

Aaaaargh you as excited as I am about it?

long-black-floral-b4

Speaking of things I’m excited about, this dress is currently at the tailors getting shortened. It’s pretty as it is, just a little too heavy.

b4-long-blk-flora

Won’t be nearly as fun for the puppy when it’s shorter, but it will be far more fun for me. I’ll post the “after” shot next week.

June 7, 2009 by

My most daring before shot yet

Normally my before shots look like this or this and someone else turns them into magical after shots (I’m not much of a do-it-myselfer). But this before shot is a little different, and I’m not going to lie to you, a little terrifying.

pirate-bracelet-before

Using leather, chains and charms from Country Beads I’m going to attempt to make a pirate-themed bracelet. And I really, really hope it turns out.

May 31, 2009 by

Style | Skinny Fatties

It’s been a little while since I’ve posted a before and after. Okay fine. It’s been a really long while. But I was pregnant and what’s the point of scouting a dress that looks like your mom’s kitchen curtains and getting it reworked if it’ll only fit for one week? Exactly.

So. Anyway. Skinny Fatties had me feeling nostalgic. Because it’s as brilliant — and simple — as before and afters get. They’ll take your no-longer-favourite ties (or your dad’s ties or your baby daddy’s ties — hello Father’s Day!) and tailor them so they look a little more of-the-moment. And if you’d rather shop off the virtual rack, they have a collection of already skinnified vintage ties.

Either way, one size fits all.

[Photo from Skinny Fatties’ Instagram]

P.S. I haven’t taken any photos of reinvented ties but you should follow @KelseyDundon on Instagram anyway.

May 29, 2013 by