Just add straps!

Did you know that plaid was not originally a word for a pattern, but actually a traditional Scottish blanket woven in that pattern? Or that the more correct term for what we usually call plaid is tartan? Or that checks are considered a tartan pattern? Or that gingham is not actually a pattern either, but a type of fabric woven into a checked pattern?

Neither did I, but all was revealed to me when I turned to Wikipedia to see if I could find out the name of the specific style of plaid (er, tartan) featured on today's dress. I got so mired in link-trailing that I completely forgot to look up the name, but nonetheless, that is what I'm wearing here.

I had the idea to wear it with the grey checked blazer (that so recently formed one of my 3 V-necks a few posts ago), since they are almost the same color and only slightly different in pattern. I thought it would be a relatively safe way to continue dabbling in the elusive art of mixing prints.

Of course, together they were so bleak and boring that I had no choice but to wear them with my only surviving pair of colorful boots (the teal ones met a sad demise which I'll surely blog about later) and a matching blue necklace.

The other reason I wanted to share this outfit with you is that I finally got around to adding straps to the dress. But because I didn't have any fabric that I thought would make good straps, and also because I didn't feel like fiddling around to get them just the right length, I decided to simply add some adjustable bra straps to the dress, and furthermore make them removable because, why not?

Make a convertible-strap dress

Every girl has a ton of convertible bras, right? When the bras wear out, the straps are usually still good, so save them! You can use them as alternative straps for a dress. All you need is to add attachment points. Take 4 bits of ribbon or fabric tape (I used bias tape, but would not recommend it because it has a fold that can get caught in hooks) and sew them to the inside of your dress with two seams, leaving just enough space in between to fit the hook of a removable bra strap. It helps if your dress has a layer of lace to hide the stitches! Then you can attach your removable bra straps any time you want, or still wear the dress strapless if you're feeling a little more motionless and/or confident!