Refashioning and repurposing is a great way to use up your wardrobe’s leftovers, recycle old clothes, and save money.
In this post we have collected 15 DIY fashion projects that will transform your tired, worn-out garments into brand new ones.
From t-shirts turned into dresses to denim jackets embellished with sequins, there’s something here for everyone!
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| – Revamping your wardrobe does not have to be costly. DIY projects, like creating accessories and refurbishing clothes, can drastically change your closet on a budget. |
| – Mixing and matching patterns can seem intimidating, but it’s all about finding the right pieces that complement each other. |
| – Adding a capsule wardrobe to your closet can help you save time and money as it contains versatile pieces that are easy to mix and match. |
| – Accessories can take an outfit from boring to chic. Learning to accessorize like a pro can elevate your style and take it to the next level. |
| – Skincare is an essential component of overall health. Choosing natural and organic skincare products can rejuvenate your skin and boost your confidence. |
1. DIY Oversized Jumpsuit
A jumpsuit is an all-in-one piece of clothing that usually consists of a pant and top, but can also include sleeves or a jacket.
The main difference between a jumpsuit and similar pieces like dresses, tunics, and overalls is the number of pieces involved.
For example: A dress has two pieces (top/bottom), while a tunic usually has only one piece (top).
However, in its most basic definition, any top or bottom item worn on its own would be considered a jumpsuit because it has two pieces instead of three or more.
Healthy skin is not only important for appearance but for overall health as well. Why not try out some natural skincare products from our list of 15 Organic Skincare Products That Will Change Your Life to achieve healthy, beautiful skin that will make you feel amazing inside and out?
2. DIY embellished denim jacket
Come on, who doesn’t love a good denim jacket? It’s such an easy way to add some edge to your outfit and make you look like an effortlessly cool person.
If you’re looking for a new DIY project that is also super easy, this is the one! You can even do it in a day if you work fast enough. Let me show you how:
Materials needed:
- denim jacket (you’ll want one that has no buttons or zippers)
- fabric glue (I used Aleene’s Tacky Glue)
- small rhinestones (the kind that are meant for sewing on buttons) *make sure they aren’t too heavy so they won’t strain your seams*
3. Painted Floral Jeans
- Paint Jeans With a Floral Pattern
You’ll Need:
- A pair of jeans, preferably with a dark wash or solid color. If you have a pair that fits well and you love the fit, you can use them as is or alter them to fit your body better by taking in the waist and/or length (you’ll need to purchase thread for this process).
- Paintbrushes
- Acrylic paints in light colors such as white, pink and yellow (or whatever colors you want the flowers to be)
Accessories can make or break an outfit, and creating your own accessories with our 17 DIY Hair Accessories to Up Your Hair Game guide can really elevate your style. Not only will it be fun to create your hair accessories, but they will also be one-of-a-kind pieces that will make you stand out in a crowd.
4. DIY Dip Dye T-Shirt
Dip dyeing is a fun way to change the color of your clothes. It’s easy to do, too: All you need is a bucket, some old t-shirts and some fabric dye. Dip dyeing is also cheap and quick; you can be finished in less than 30 minutes!
It’s a great way to add color to your wardrobe without spending too much money or taking hours away from your day.
A single dip in an item of clothing can make it look like two different pieces at once it adds interest while still being subtle enough that no one would notice unless they were looking very closely at it.
| Description | Brand/Value |
|---|---|
| Main Material | Old T-Shirt |
| Additional Material | Fabric Dye |
| Equipment Needed | Bucket, Rubber Gloves, Water |
| Color Options | Tulip, Rit DyeMore, Jacquard Procion MX |
| Time | Less than 30 Minutes |
| Skill Level | Beginner |
| Cost | Low |
5. Patched Levi’s
If you have a sewing machine, this DIY is a breeze. If you don’t have one, use a serger instead. (A serger is basically an overlock machine that trims and finishes edges.)
First, wash your jeans inside out with cold water on the gentle cycle to remove any excess dye from the original pair of Levi’s.
Then cut off the bottom seam where it meets the knees so that it becomes more like shorts and less like pants.
Next, sew along each inner leg seam from hem to crotch with matching thread in whatever stitch pattern works best for these particular jeans a denim patch will show through otherwise!
Once those seams are sewn up, turn them right side out again and fit each leg over its corresponding leg opening on a pair of unworn Levi’s that you’ve been saving as rags or rag-worthy clothes hangers (the latter being recommended if they’re not too worn). Make sure they fit well before proceeding: Unfinished edges can fray easily once stitched down so make sure everything lines up correctly at this point before going forward with your repairs!
Lastly then sew up both sides from hemline all around until reaching just past crotch level where another seam begins forming again; repeat this process twice more until reaching about mid-thigh area (you should be able now).
Mixing and matching patterns can be challenging, but our Ultimate Guide to Mixing and Matching Patterns Like a Pro can help you get a grasp on it. With our tips, you’ll be able to confidently mix patterns into your outfits, giving your wardrobe a fresh new look.
6. DIY Embroidered Cutoffs
- What is embroidery?
If you’re not sure what embroidery is, it’s basically just a hand-stitched design on fabric. There are several different stitches you can use for this project, but the most popular one is called a cross-stitch.
It involves wrapping the thread over and under each individual stitch in a pattern to create shapes or letters.
The method of stitching can vary depending on what kind of look you’re going for; here we’ll go over how to do an easy cross-stitch design on cutoffs using a simple four-pointed star shape as an example:
How do I do it?
First, trace your desired design onto some paper using pencil (you could also paint over markers here). Make sure that whatever size star(s) end up being drawn will fit within the space available on your shorts!
If they don’t fit perfectly without some adjustments being made before starting off with this project, then simply move them around until they look right before transferring them onto fabric with an iron pen or other heat transfer tool (this step isn’t necessary if none were needed).
If there are any small details like hearts that need adding later on during assembly process after cutting out stencils from paper sheets first so long as these don’t extend past sides when folded back down again later since otherwise would show through front side showing edge wear quickly due rubbing against other garments easily accessible during daily activities such as washing clothes inside machines regularly because).
7. Stretchy Knit Top Refashion
You’ve already finished your refashion, but now it’s time to make it wearable. This is one of the most important parts of the process!
- There are a few ways to do it:
First, try pulling on your refashioned top and see if there’s any pulling or sagging. If so, you may need to sew some darts into the garment.
Darts are little vertical lines sewn into a piece of clothing at an angle from each side seam down toward where your bust would be if you were wearing this top as intended (if you can’t figure out how to do this yourself, just Google “how to sew darts”).
Once they’re in place, they should pull everything into place nicely without causing any extra bulkiness or making things too tight.
Next, take another look at your refashioned item and consider how well it fits overall—maybe its sleeves start too high up on the arm? Or maybe its neckline falls too low?
Now’s when you can decide whether those issues bother you enough that they need fixing immediately…or whether they’re small enough not worth worrying about right away (and whether they could even become desirable features).
Accessories are the cherry on top of any outfit, and our 15 Secrets to Mastering the Art of Accessorizing can help you take your accessory game to the next level. From statement jewelry to hats and scarfs, our tips will help you choose the perfect additions to your outfit.
8. Distress Your Jeans to Create Cropped Skinnies
Distressing your jeans is an easy way to create a new look without spending money on an entirely new pair. You can distress your denim using a variety of methods, including sandpaper, bleach and paint brushes.
Once you’ve distressed your jeans, you can wash them to further create fading patterns or leave them in their distressed state.
Using different techniques will yield different results: for example, washing the jeans can help make the tears look more natural because it gives them a worn-in appearance that looks like something someone would have done intentionally rather than accidentally in the laundry room (although this may vary depending on how much you actually care about how well-worn they look).
| Steps | Materials |
|---|---|
| 1. Take measurements | Measuring tape |
| 2. Cut the jeans to the desired length, allowing room for the frayed ends | Scissors |
| 3. Sand down the edges of the hemline | Sandpaper |
| 4. Use a wire brush to scrape the surface | Wire brush |
| 5. Add bleach for an even more distressed look | Bleach |
| 6. Wash the jeans to create a faded effect | Washing machine |
| 7. Leave the jeans in their distressed state, or further distress them with paint brushes | Paint brushes |
This table provides easy-to-follow steps on how to distress your jeans to create cropped skinnies. Each step includes the necessary materials, such as a measuring tape, scissors, sandpaper, a wire brush, bleach, a washing machine, and paint brushes.
9. DIY ruffled collar blouse with upcycled vintage scarf
This is a great project for summer, since it combines two trends: ruffled collars and upcycled vintage scarves. What’s more, you can wear this outfit with anything in your closet it’s as good for work as it is for play.
Here’s how to make it:
Grab an old scarf (or buy one at Goodwill) that matches your wardrobe color scheme. If you want something more interesting, look online at stores like Etsy and eBay to find one that’s unique and special but still easy to wear with everything else in your closet.
Fold the scarf into thirds lengthwise so that you have two long strips of fabric on either side of a middle strip (usually made of thinner material).
Cut off the bottom end if there are any frayed threads hanging down from where the fringe was cut off originally; then sew up both open ends using tiny stitches so they’re secure enough not to fall apart after wearing them around town all day long!
Now comes time for sewing magic: place each end over opposite shoulders and pin them together just beneath collarbone level (this should leave about mid-torso uncovered between folded edges).
Go around entire neckline area twice with thread color matching shirt/top underneath fabric layer (you don’t want anyone noticing through thin material), being careful not too tighten too much at corners where collar meets lapels or seam lines meet sleeves! That way we’ll be able pull out any wrinkles later on down road…
It’s not always about having more clothes, but having the right ones. Our guide on How to Create a Capsule Wardrobe: The Minimalist’s Guide to Fashion can help you create a wardrobe that works for you by focusing on quality over quantity. With our advice, revamping your wardrobe has never been easier!
10. Turn a Men’s Shirt into a Women’s Dress
Turning an old men’s shirt into a cute dress is so easy. If you want to make it yourself, or if you’re feeling adventurous and want to go for the DIY route, here are some tips:
Cut off the sleeves at their seam line but leave plenty of fabric around them so that when you fold over the edge of your fabric, it will be nice and snug against your arm (and therefore not too tight).
Then cut off either side of each sleeve at about an inch away from where you just cut them off. This will give your dress more room to breathe on its own without adding too much bulk from making seams in front of and behind each armhole (which can look awkward).
Next take one half of your shirt and lay it flat on top of another piece of material such as denim or corduroy that has enough width left over after cutting out two pieces with distinct designs but similar colors (you don’t have any other choice since all fabrics are purchased in pairs).
This way when we sew together our “unfinished edges” later on down this list they won’t stick out like sore thumbs!
| Steps | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Cut off the sleeves | Cut off the sleeves at their seam line with enough fabric to create a snug armhole. |
| 2. Cut either side of each sleeve | Cut off each side of the sleeve about an inch away from the seam. |
| 3. Turn the shirt around | Turn the shirt around so that the open back of the shirt is now the front. |
| 4. Make a cut along the front | Cut the fabric below the old collar to create a new neckline. |
| 5. Make a new hemline | Sew a new hemline at the bottom of the shirt to create the desired length. |
| 6. Add a waistline | Add a waistline by cinching the dress with a belt or sewing in elastic. |
These steps can be done with different brands’ men’s shirts to create a unique design that suits your taste. Be creative and have fun!
11. Turn An Old T-Shirt Into An Adorable Ombre Knit Basket!
Take an old t-shirt that’s too big for you and cut off the sleeves, bottom, neck and the bottom hem. Then cut off the arms (but leave those hems).
Finally, cut off the shoulders but leave a bit of material behind so you can sew them back on later if desired.
Next, weave yarn through each armhole until it comes out where you want your handles to be. I used about four different colors for this piece to create an ombre effect — but any color or number would work!
12. Upcycle A Men’s Dress Shirt Into A Fitted Top! (No Sew)
It doesn’t get much easier than this DIY fashion project. All you need is an old men’s dress shirt and scissors, and in about 15 minutes, you can have yourself a new fitted top. No sewing required!
If you have sewing skills:
Cut off the sleeves to make them wider at the bottom. Then cut off the hem of the shirt so that it ends just below your hip bones (or wherever you want it to stop).
Finally, cut open all of the buttons on each side of the front placket (the area with all of those buttons). Don’t worry if they’re pretty—you can always sew them back on later after doing.
If no sewing machine:
Use safety pins to hold together edges of fabric that are too thick for stitching by hand (like around collars or necklines). Stitch as close as possible without going through exterior seams or stitching holes.*
13. DIY Ombre Silk Scarf Top | The Sorry Girls
- Take care of your clothes.
- Dry clean or hand-wash them.
- Store them properly, so they last longer: no steamers or dryers and no plastic bags! Instead, store them in drawers or hang them over a hanger on a wooden clothes rack (which also doubles as great decor).
- Repair what you can—small tears, missing buttons and loose hems are easy fixes that will extend the life of an item beyond its expected lifetime.
Conclusion
DIY fashion projects are a great way to reuse old clothes and make something new! They’re also a fun way to express your creativity and let your imagination run wild.
We hope you enjoyed this list of DIY fashion projects, and if so please share it with your friends!
Further Reading
20 Stylish and Simple DIY Clothes to Revamp Your Wardrobe: Check out this article on 20 stylish and simple DIY clothes projects to give a new look to your clothes. These creative ideas will help you revamp your wardrobe without spending much money.
DIY Clothing Upgrade Ideas: This Pinterest board contains a variety of creative DIY clothing upgrade ideas to help you add a new spark to your wardrobe.
DIY Clothing Ideas to Revamp Your Closet: Add a personal touch to your wardrobe with these DIY clothing ideas provided on Jovifashion.com. These ideas are affordable and easy to execute, making revamping clothes simpler.
FAQs
What is wardrobe revamping?
Wardrobe revamping means giving a fresh and updated look to your closet by adding new pieces or refurbishing the existing ones.
How to revamp my wardrobe without spending money?
You can revamp your wardrobe without spending a dime by finding what you already own and decluttering, getting creative with DIY projects, or by trading clothes with friends.
How long does it take to revamp a wardrobe?
It depends on various factors such as the number of clothes you own, the budget, and the extent of the changes you want to make. However, with proper planning and execution, the process can take a few days to a few weeks.
How often should one revamp their wardrobe?
A wardrobe revamp can be done at any time depending on one’s preference and goals. However, it is mostly recommended to revamp the closet every season to stay up-to-date with the latest fashion trends.
Do I have to go shopping to revamp my wardrobe?
Not necessarily. You can give your closet a new makeover by creating DIY close, combining pieces that you already own in unique ways, or getting creative with accessories. However, shopping can be an option if you want to freshen up your closet with new pieces.
Hi, you! I’m Hellen James. I’m a beauty and fashion writer who loves to make the world a little more stylish and I’d love for you to join me in the fun! I’ve been writing about beauty and fashion since I was a kid, but it wasn’t until recently that I really knew what it meant to be a real expert.