Ten ways to turn tired outfit into something fresh
You all know the feeling when you’ve got a night out planned but can’t find anything to wear. I’d love to buy a new outfit every time I go for drinks or a meal, but sadly we’re not all as rich as the Beckhams and I can’t afford it.
If you feel my pain and are frustrated with the contents of your wardrobe, don’t worry, because help is at hand. You need to come up with ways to give your existing clothes a new lease of life and make them seem like brand new items.
Yes, this may seem like a lot of effort, but it’ll save you money and you’ll probably find you enjoy getting crafty and seeing what you can make out of that old striped blazer. Here are the ways to turn tired outfit into something fresh.
1. Buttons and badges
Buttons literally take two minutes to sew on and you can change the whole look of a dress, jacket or top. Swap small, plain coloured buttons for big round gold ones and you’ll instantly give your wardrobe a military-inspired update. Or get hold of a bunch of pin badges, this works particularly well with thick material like denim, or leather (if you can bear to punch holes in it)
Buttons and Badges
2. Sandpaper
Yes, you read that right – sandpaper. If you’ve got some skinny jeans that are starting to look a bit scruffy and rough around the edges then get a bit of sandpaper and give them a rub. This makes them look dishevelled and they’ll look great teamed with a casual tee and ankle boots. If you dare, try slashing one of the knees for a real rock chick look.
Rub using a Sandpaper
3. Cut off the sleeves
Got a checked shirt you don’t wear anymore? Cut of the sleeves and tie a knot in the bottom instead of doing up the last few buttons when you put it on – an instant summer top. You can also try and recycle the sleeves into stockings if the material is stretchy enough.
Cutting off The Sleeves
4. Studs
Studs are really popular at the moment and are finding their way on to pretty much every item of clothing imaginable. You can buy studs from craft shops and use them to update your wardrobe, but be warned – once you start attaching them that’s it, so start with something you’re not bothered about potentially ruining and then work up to customising shoes or a jacket.
Metalic Studs on Jeans
5. Jewelry
Jewelry is one of the simplest ways to instantly update an outfit. Dress a casual T-shirt up with a fancy jeweled necklace a la Olivia Palermo, or pile on the rings to bring a posh dress down to earth for daytime like Alexa Chung.
6. Go Greek
If you’ve got an old dress with straps you’re sick and tired of it’s really easy to chop off one shoulder and turn it into a Greek goddess-inspired design. Look on the internet to find more detailed instructions.
7. Bleach and tie-dye
I know what you think, tie-dye is just for hippies and is best left back in the 60s. In fact, the printing technique has enjoyed a bit of a revival recently and by using bleach or coloured dyes you can transform clothing in an afternoon. And the best part is – you never know how it’s going to turn out!
Bleach and tie-dye
8. Lace
Lace is a really simple way to update plain, boring tops you never really wear anymore. Choose a contrasting colour and sew it along the sleeves, neckline, in a pattern across the whole top – pretty much wherever you want.
9. Slash a top
Got a plain T-shirt that’s looking a bit worn? Slash the neckline and turn it into an off-the-shoulder number. It doesn’t matter if it looks a bit tatty, that just adds to the effect.
10. Brighten up a bag with a scarf
If you’re bored of your handbag but don’t have the cash to splash out on a new one, tie a scarf round the handle and voila – instant style update. And I don’t mean your woolly winter scarf, you need a cute neckerchief, which you can pick up in vintage shops or second-hand stores.
Handbag styled with a Scarf
Brighten Up Bag with a Scarf
g00d!!