How to Revamp Old Clothes

Aug 07, 2020

The changing of the seasons doesn't mean you need to buy a whole new wardrobe. If you're too strapped for cash to invest in a new wardrobe, give your old clothes a whole new look by revamping them! Check out these creative ideas on how to look fashionably cool without draining your wallet.

Revamping Old Clothes - Sweaters

Does your dad have a big sweater hanging in his closet? If he no longer wears it, then put it to good use by chopping it off at mid-thigh level and cinching a wide belt around your waist. Now you have one of this season's trendiest outfits - a sweater dress! You can also cut the sleeves from one of his old dress shirts and sew them onto a sleeveless sweater to give it a cute but funky look!

No Sewing Required! Revamping Old Clothes - Boots

If your old boots have a tacky logo on the side, or you just want to warm up for winter, here’s an easy way to revamp your rain boots. Make a trip to your local thrift store for a cheap fur stole or coat—or pick up a cozy sweater if you’re not into fur—this will be the new trim for your boots! Cut two large size squares out of your chosen material and fit it into the boots. Make sure there’s enough material to fold over top of the boot to act as a stylish trim or to cover up any ugly, unwanted logos. You’re pretty much done but if you get annoyed having to pull on the trim like a sock each time you want to wear your boots, you might want to adhere the trim in place with a special shoe glue you can buy from any hardware store.

Revamping Old Clothes - Pants & Shorts

Turn a pair of pants into shorts by simply chopping them off at the knee to make Bermuda shorts, or higher up to make short shorts. Wear it alone while the weather is still warm, but when it gets chilly, layer it with leggings or tights.

Revamping Old Clothes - Jeans

If you're like most peeps, you own a gazillion pairs of jeans but only wear a few of them. Instead of donating them to charity, cut them into capris or skirts! To make a skirt, cut the legs off where they meet, but don't worry about cutting in a straight line. You're making a deconstructed denim mini, which means it's supposed to look unfinished. To add vintage flair, chop off the waistband, remove one of the back pockets, slit the hems or wear them down with a cheese grater. Then decorate it with costume jewelry, sequin appliques or flower patches to give it a '70s hippie look.

Revamping Old Clothes - T-Shirts

There are a ton of things you can do to revive old tees - cut off the neckline to give it an '80s feel, cut an upside down V-shape from the top of the collar to each armpit to make a halter, or chop off the sleeves for a tank. If you want to get more creative, take the sleeves that you've just cut and snip them along the seam. Sew along the raw side (the cut side) of the sleeve, but let the fabric gather so it ruffles to make a puffed sleeve. Then sew them back onto your shirt. You can also cut a T-shirt from armpit to armpit to make a tube top. Sew on a band of fabric from another shirt to the top of your new tube top to add some extra color and flair!

Create Your Own Shredded Hipster Shirt

For this look you’ll need a black, over-sized t-shirt that fits you loosely, as well as scissors and a snug-fitting t-shirt with a graphic print on the front. Take the black shirt and cut some thin rectangles in the front. Cut some rectangles straight across and some on an angle—these will be the windows that show off the graphic tee underneath. Don’t touch the graphic t-shirt—but make sure that you cut the rectangles out of the black shirt in such a way that the graphic is visible through the rectangles. Voila, you’re done! Put on the graphic t-shirt first, then throw the cut-up black shirt over top for casual street fashion look.