Years ago, Reformation had a super up-my-alley seperates set of a long sleeve crop top and a skirt made from the same oversized men’s shirt. I wanted it, but I also wanted to make it (it’s been long enough that I can’t even find the inspo picture!). And making it seemed waaaay cheaper. My first effort a couple years ago ended pretty fast as the shirt was not long enough to get both pieces out of it, and would need a totally new armscye/ width / etc to fit me. The idea’s stuck with me, so when I got handed down this insane men’s romper, I pretty much knew what it would be.

I chopped it in half, then did an itsy bitsy hem on the top. Rolled the sleeves up and perfect crop top voila!

The skirt was a bit more involved, but not much. The romper was attached with a waistband style rectangle, so I used that for the waistband. I trimmed the fabric above the waistband to the same width plus seam allowance, then unpicked most of the waistband from the skirt, leaving it attached a couple inches from center front, where I wanted to maintain the existing fly.

Next, I trimmed the waistband to a nice high waist size and interfaced the existing “waistband” piece with waistband fusible. This way I just gathered all the excess of the shorts to fit, more or less evenly distributing the gathers all around (although there are for sure more to the back, since I was also worried about keeping the fly normal looking and not totally bunching up the pockets). Reattached the waistband, trying to catch all the seams but not worrying too much about it.

Then unpicked the crotch and trimmed it off to skirt-make. I topstitched down the center front rather imperfectly to keep everything strong and clean looking, but didn’t bother across the back centre.

The zip could use a hook and eye, but I haven’t added one yet and it’s working pretty well without. I wore a slip for these photos because it seemed pretty see-through but I actually think I can get away without, and anyway the slip is too long and bunches a bit around my waist, BOO!

I love some of the RTW details on this; the back pocket, the little button tabs on the skirt side. Feels so good to have something so cute and summery and versatile, and have it have been so simple to make!

Measurements: Waist 30 1/2, Hips 38 1/4

Fabric: Upcycled men’s romper

If there is a next time: Need more practice gathering!