How to Make a New Wardrobe From Old Clothes

Find lost treasures in your closet.

When money is tight yet you have a desire for new duds, go shopping in your closet. Clothes that have been pushed to the back, forgotten about or have tears, missing buttons or need alterations can be cleaned, fixed and revitalized and help you to feel as if you have an entirely new wardrobe. Give your old clothes a second look; you may actually be pleasantly surprised by what you find in your closet.

Things You'll Need

• Camera
• Buttons
• Needle
• Thread
• Scissors
• Laundry equipment
• Dry cleaner
• Tailor

Instructions

1. Go through your entire closet and pull out all of the clothes that you have not worn in a while or that are in need of repair.

2. Try each item of clothing on and make three piles: items that fit well and you will keep, those in need of cleaning or alterations and the final pile for clothing to be discarded or taken to a thrift store.

3. Review those items of clothing that you are keeping yet have not worn in a while and match them with your current favorite pieces. Develop new outfits and combinations. Take photos of the outfits so that you remember what you liked, which can help you to actually wear them rather than push them to the back of your closet again.

4. Fix the items of clothing that need small, simple repairs, such as a missing button or simple rip or tear. Take those that need more complex alterations to a tailor.

5. Launder the pieces of clothing that are easy to clean and take the others to the dry cleaner.

6. Alter your clothing into new pieces, if you know how to sew. For example, turn a pair of jeans into a denim skirt, a crewneck sweater into a cardigan or make leg warmers out of the sleeves of old sweaters.

References

• Green Lifestyle Magazine: Keep Your Old and Used Clothes Looking New