Have you ever looked at your closet chock-full of clothes and thought, ‘I don’t have anything to wear!?’ If that has happened more than once, then it’s time for you to revamp your wardrobe. Unfortunately, buying new clothes can cost you more than a pretty penny, but you can give your wardrobe a much-needed makeover by splitting seams and cutting jeans without breaking your bank account.
Dresser detox
The first step to revamping your wardrobe might be the hardest, but it could be the most liberating. Consider your personal style and your need for certain clothes for work, formal events, and everyday wear. Categorize everything into three groups: to keep/alter, to give away/sell, and the discard pile. Keep the most loved and versatile pieces that you wear a lot. Give away or sell any clothes in good condition that you’ve never worn or don’t fit you anymore. Lastly, throw away damaged clothes that are beyond repair.
Mend, don’t spend
Wait, don’t throw that skirt away just because there’s a tiny hole in it! When we wear certain pieces again and again, naturally they can tear or become discoloured after countless tumbles in the washing machine. While shopping is undeniably more exciting than sewing, spending for new replacements can rip a seam in your wallet or budget. Consider thread, patches, needle work, and stain treatments for quick fixes at little to no cost.
Less is more
You can easily reinvent your clothes and go from one style to another by snipping off a few inches off here and there. Turn your standard full-sleeved blouse into a refreshing sleeveless top perfect for summer. That pair of old denim jeans? They can become your new Daisy Dukes. Shorten the hemline of a long skirt and you’ve got yourself a trendy “new” swing skirt.
Get crafty
Let your creativity out of the closet…for your closet! To give your coat a new look, try replacing the plain buttons with snazzy gold ones. You can also line the collars and cuffs of your sleeved shirts with ribbons to spruce them up more. Make your own fringe shirt instead of buying one by snipping along the edge of your t-shirts and tank tops. Adding appliqués and patches to clothes that need a little pop of colour and mending are also good ideas to bring the life back into plain garb. And did you know you can cut your leggings to make them into bandeaus? #wardrobehacks
Accessorize
Accessories are the cherries on top of your delectable outfits, completing your look and adding that extra something special to it. There are a lot of DIY tutorials on how you can repurpose your old leather jackets and jeans into backpacks, belts, pouches, and handbags. These make great gifts for friends and family on any occasion. And if you’re wondering what to do with fabric scraps, you can use them to line hats or make keychains and earrings.
Clothes swap
If you have friends who are also going through a wardrobe purge and reinvention, why not get together with them and have a clothes swap? Bring all the clothes and accessories from your ‘to give away’ piles, lay them out for each other, and enjoy cashless shopping! Ah, the joy of seeing a buffet of free clothes.
Shop smart
When reinventing your wardrobe on the cheap, shopping should be the last resort, but you can be smart about the way you purchase new items. First, set a budget and stick to it. Keep an eye out for sales to get the most bang for your buck, especially if you’re looking to buy designer pieces. Going online is also a great way to save on new clothes as some virtual merchants offer discounts to first-time buyers and loyal customers. And last but not the least, try to look into vintage and secondhand shops for unique pieces and accessories at affordable prices.
