Today I’m sharing with you 3 clothing projects I’ve worked on in the past few weeks, all upcycled from my items in my own wardrobe. I put out the question recently on instagram for blog post topics, and one that came up a few times was ideas and ways to recycle and upcycle some thing I already own. Since I hate doing projects that come out tacky or too ‘crafty’ (like the denim purses you see everywhere and that I also made in the 3rd grade), I made it my mission to craft 3 fashion forward upcycling projects to share with you and hopefully inspire to create something new within your own closet!
3 Fashion Forward Upcycling Projects
#1 Boring Cape to Embellished Topper!
This is by far the most ‘basic’ on my list, but it’s a good place to start. I bought this cape in France and although I like the cut and silhouette, I never wear it because its pretty dang snooze-worthy. Since the color is blah and the weight makes it not-really functional for warmth, I decided to snazz it up a bit to turn it into something more eye-catching. Sure, glueing on glass rhinestones might be pretty ‘crafty’, but I think trying to assemble them in a way that appears upscale and not downmarket is key. I tried a few other rhinestone layouts and this was my favorite because the sparkly clusters almost give off a polka dot feel, which makes the cape less matronly. However, if I stumble upon any more glass rhinestones when I’m in NYC next month, I might have to up the ante even more and add to it!
#2 Stained Shirt to Extra Fringe Pants
This project involves two of my favorite pieces from my old ‘work’ closet. I absolutely loooveeeed this fringe top, but there is a stain on the front (you can’t tell in the pic) that I tried to get out numerous times, and it just wasn’t happening. I’ve been holding onto the shirt for almost 3 years now trying to figure out what to do with it, until it hit me! Update one of my favorite pairs of pants to make them more fun. While I always loved the fit of these pants, they were a bit too serious for my day to day now, so I thought removing the fringed section from the top with a seam ripper, chopping off some serious length in the pants and then re-applying the fringe would update them to perfection. And I’m so happy I did! They are so perfect for a night out now, and I can see myself wearing them for fashion week!
#3 Moderize Out of Date Jacket
Many people would have worn this jacket as is for years, and never seen anything wrong with it. I know. But I am not that person. I have also held this jacket in my closet for 3 years wondering if I should crop it, or turn it into a a vest, or what… in order to make it cool enough for me to wear again. It was lying in a heap with my other ‘to-fix’ clothing, right next to a pair of jeans. Which gave me the idea to use the lighter color denim to create patches, similar to this Miu Miu coat. I mocked up the patches first with the left over fabric from the fringe top (above) on the coat, and then used them as pattern pieces to cut out the denim. It was tight making it all fit, but I sewed each piece inside out first, then attached them with a thick seam allowance to mimic the Miu Miu style. I still need to decide if I want to add matching buttons, but for now I’m happy with the complete reinvention of the coat!
