12 Simple Style Hacks to Transform Your Old Shirts

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Simple Shirt Hacks
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12 Simple Style Hacks

If you've got a stack of old T-shirts that hold sentimental value and you simply cannot find a good reason to give up, despite never wearing them, you've come to the right place. We offer you 12 style hacks that will breathe new life into your favorite tees and button-ups, rendering them practically unrecognizable to the untrained eye. Whether you're looking to do basic alterations, like adding subtle details or creating a no-sew DIY tote, or something slightly more intricate, like sizing up your go-to work blouse, our easy tutorials will help guide even the novice sewer through to the other side.

Image Credit: Beth Huntington
Finished view of the ruffle T-shirt
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Add an Off-Shoulder Ruffle to a T-Shirt

Practically reinvent any ordinary T-shirt and turn it into a more spiffy version by simply adding a ruffle to the neckline.

Men's shirt converted into child's dress
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Before & After: Turning a Man's Shirt into a Child's Dress

Turn those old or unused men's button-up shirts into super cute, easy-to-make dresses for your growing little girls, or a fun baby shower gift made with love.

Large T-shirt made into child's size with side ties
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How to Cut & Tie the Sides of a T-Shirt for Kids

Got a favorite old tee that's way too big but you just can't give up? Even if you don't know a thing about sewing, our handy tutorial will show you how to cut and tie the sides of oversized shirts to fit your kiddos in no time at all.

Celtic knot headband
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How to Make Headbands Out of Shirts

This no-sew headband tutorial will show you how to make a Shannon knot, symbolizing balanced creativity–fitting, considering this project makes creative use of old T-shirts.

Trendy swing top DIY hack
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Transform a Plain Shirt Into a Trendy Swing Top

To make this trendy Anthropologie swing top, look for a button-down shirt with a cute gingham pattern either in your closet or at a nearby thrift shop and follow these simple steps.

DIY lace-up crew neck sweatshirt
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How to Make a Lace-Up Sweatshirt

All you need is a pair of scissors, a hammer, a few eyelets and some pretty lace or ribbon to transform your comfy crew neck sweatshirt into something more eye-catching. Style and comfort? Yes, please.

Dress shirt that is slightly too tight
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How to Make a Dress Shirt Larger

Never again will you have to get rid of those favorite shirts that have gotten a bit too snug. With a simple alteration technique, you could make any old shirt fit just right.

Plaid button-up shirt with added decorative trim
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How to Add Decorative Trim to a Button-Down Shirt

Pump up the volume in your wardrobe with unexpected patterns. Simply sew some fun fabric to the button plackets and give a classic button-up shirt a whole new vibe.

Cute tank top dress for kids on dress form
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How to Make a Tank Top Dress for Kids

Turn a regular tank top into an adorable dress for kids in just over an hour. You will need a sewing machine and some basic sewing essentials for this one, plus our free pattern directions (good for sizes 12 months-10 years), but this is the perfect project for any beginner-level sewer.

DIY fringed market tote
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Upcycle a T-Shirt into a No-Sew Fringed Market Tote Tutorial

If you simply cannot part with that perfectly distressed oversized tee you bought at your first concert, give it new life as a reusable market tote. This no-sew project will save your T-shirts from the dumpster and keep landfills from accumulating shopping bag waste. Now that's a win-win.


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