Is your wardrobe feeling lackluster and blah? Breathe new life into your look with crafty DIY projects that upgrade your style with personal flair. With a little imagination and handiwork, you can customize pieces to make any outfit extraordinary. Here are six clever ways to overhaul your wardrobe on the cheap.
1. Embellish with Embroidery
Embroidery is a fun way to add eye-catching details to basic pieces. Look through embroidery books or Pinterest for inspiration on stylish designs. Curving vines, geometric patterns, and delicate florals are easy ways to make t-shirts, jackets, bags, and hats uniquely yours. Hoops, floss, needles, and embroidery fabric paint are all you need. Just sketch your design lightly in washable pen before stitching away.
2. Make Your Own Jewelry
Making DIY jewelry lets you create customized accessories that specifically match your wardrobe. All you need are some basic supplies like beads, wire, clasps, and pliers, all of which you can get online at stores like The Bead Traders. Search for beads with interesting textures, shapes, and colors to design necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Check out YouTube tutorials or get creative twisting and linking components in your own unique way. Your handmade jewelry will add a special, artful touch.
3. Decoupage Decorative Fabric
Decoupage is an easy way to upgrade basic fabrics like denim, canvas, or cotton. Print out patterned scrapbook paper or artwork you like and coat the surface with adhesive spray. Smooth onto fabric for a crisp decoupage finish. You can also brush on glue and carefully layer torn pieces of paper or fabric. Once dry, seal with a protective topcoat. DIY decoupage turns simple items into works of art.
4. Refashion Old Clothes
Check your closet for forgotten clothes, then refashion them into fresh new pieces. Cut off collars or sleeves, crop lengths, take in seams, or add shape with darts. With a needle, thread, and basic sewing skills, you can give tired clothes new life. Turn old t-shirts into tank tops, cut off jeans into shorts, or sew on your own creative fabric details.
5. Upcycle Unexpected Items
Check out thrift stores, yard sales, or your own home for unique items to upcycle into stylish pieces. Old neckties, silk scarves, and fabric remnants can become blouses. Vintage jewelry finds can be disassembled and rearranged into new designs. Or wrap travel souvenirs like sarongs into boho skirts. With creative vision, anything goes – the more unusual the item, the more original your DIY fashion creation will be.
6. Make Trendy Accessories
Handmade accessories like hats, bags, scarves, and hair accessories let you affordably try of-the-moment trends. Sew simple pouches or totes from fabric scraps or repurposed materials. Knit and crochet popular beanies, headbands, or even sweaters yourself. Look up DIY tutorials to create the hottest looks you see for less. When you make accessories yourself, you can change up your style anytime.
Unleash your inner crafter to customize your wardrobe with flair. With a few simple tools and materials, you can update everyday pieces with decorative details that express your own unique style. DIY-ing your wardrobe saves money and lets you create fashions that are wonderfully one-of-a-kind.
I live in a small Georgia town that you most likely have never heard of and I LOVE it! My house is more than full as I am a single mother of four & caregiver to my aging mother and uncle. Lover of all things Outlander. Goes to the beat of her own drum woman.
Donna says
I would love to learn to knit and make some hats and scarves! I have several pairs of handmade earrings I made many years ago that I still love to wear.
Antoinette M says
Great tips. I love the idea of making your own jewelry!
Adriane says
Love to upcycle!
Rita Wray says
Thank you, sounds great.
Elizabeth says
A few clever touches make a difference!
Audrey Stewart says
I loved reading this post. I am interested in restyling some of my dresses that just look to old fashion. My sister and I are making jewelry this holiday. I sew and I think I can fix some of my dresses to bring them up to date.
Suzie B says
I wish I was a good sewer – I have seen posts where people take thrift store clothing and create such beautiful pieces!
Dreaa Drake says
This is great thank you for sharing!