7 Ways to Upcycle Thrifted Clothing
By La Unica
Revive your wardrobe by upcycling your last thrifting haul! Upcycling is a great way to save money on your clothing budget, and it is eco-friendly! Let us explore a few great ways you can take pre-loved pieces and turn them into something new and unique that expresses your personal style:
Alterations
Alterations can be used to change the fit or style of a piece of clothing, making it more suited to your taste (and body). With a few simple sewing skills, you can change the hem of a pair of pants to fit you, or change the length of a sleeved top. You can also sew together two or more thrifted items into an entirely new piece!
Photo by 1777177 | Shutterstock
Customize with Patches or Embroidery
Get creative! Add patches or embroidery to give thrifted clothing a one-of-a kind look. They can be used to cover up stains or holes — add a pop of color, or make a statement. You have probably seen patchwork and embroidery used on denim, like jean jackets. Vary the shapes, sizes, and colors of the patches for visual appeal and customization — no two jackets will be alike! Embroidery is a creative way to add intricate designs or even add lettering to your apparel.
DIY Dyeing
Experiment with different dyeing techniques to give thrifted clothing a new color or pattern. With a few simple supplies and a bit of creativity, you can create a unique and personalized garment that is one-of-a-kind. The process of dyeing thrifted clothing is easy to learn and can be done at home. Tie-dyeing is also a fun way to add colors and patterns to your second-hand clothing. You can create a wide range of designs by using different techniques such as spiral, bull's-eye, and shibori.
Photo by Fashion © Qa9392331 | Dreamstime
Refashioning
Refashioning is altering the fit or style of a piece of clothing, so you can make it more modern or personalized to your style. It can be as simple as wearing a sweater backwards to create a different look. You can also refashion clothes by layering, such as putting a dress over a pair of pants or a t-shirt over a dress, whichever works for your style or both! This is unique and unexpected way to make your wardrobe more versatile by changing it up a bit and making it your own.
Upcycling for Home Decor
Change up your home decor by upcycling clothing! You can make your own throw pillows out of pre-owned sweaters, shirts, dresses or blankets. Just cut the fabric in the desired shape of the pillow, stuff it with a pillow form, and then sew the edges closed. Your pillows will add a new pop of color to your room–and they also make great gifts!
Create accessories
Use thrifted clothing to make a purse or a bag. Take a piece of clothing such as a dress or a shirt and cut it into almost any shape you like. Then, add a strap and a closure, and voila –you have a “brand new to you” purse or a bag. This is a great tip to keep in mind if you are having trouble finding a purse to match a particular item of clothing –you can just make your own!
Photo by MargaPl | Shutterstock
Embellishing
Decorate your pre-loved clothing and accessories with beads, sequins, or other decorative elements for a new look. These adornments can add sparkle, shine, and additional color to your wardrobe. Add a beaded necklace on a plain top or arrange sequins in floral patterns on jeans/leggings for a designer look! A lot of the time you can find thrifted clothing that already comes embellished, but they might have small imperfections. Give them some love and add your own embellishments or you can always recreate it into something new!
Upcycling thrifted clothing is a sustainable and environmentally friendly way to refresh your wardrobe. By repurposing and altering thrifted clothing, you can create one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect your personal style. And it will save you money in the long run, as you can purchase gently used clothing at a fraction of the cost of new items. As you experiment with different sewing techniques and materials, you may even find that upcycling becomes your new creative hobby!
