CREATIVE WAYS OF MAKING YOUR OLD CLOTHES LOOK NEW AGAIN
A new piece of clothing gives us an emotional life – such as the renewed confidence we get when we put on a lovely new dress for a special occasion or the added self-esteem we gain when we walk into an important business meeting or interview with a new stylish suit.
For some of us buying a new outfit to meet every new occasion is possible, but for most is it not. The economic impact of the pandemic has hit home everywhere and especially in most people’s pocketbooks. So what can we do if we want to feel that lift that a new look gives us but do not have the funds to purchase a new wardrobe?
There are many ways to create new looks with clothes that we already own. We just must learn a few techniques and some secrets of the trade. If you already have a classic style wardrobe, it can be fun making them look new with a little bit of creative flair. Classic clothing styles, like good investments, keep their value for a long time and become more versatile once you learn to accessorize them with imagination.
It is more difficult to give a new look to clothes that are very faddish or have an obvious large print, whereas, simple lines, basic colors, and simple prints are much easier to work with when changing a clothing look. Scarves are one accessory that can instantly give a different look to most pieces of clothing. They are also relatively inexpensive. It is easy to find scarves since most retail stores sell them. For those who enjoy shopping online, there are so many options in every shape, size, and color. If you have a fabric store in your area or prefer shopping online consider purchasing a lovely silk or polyester print. If you sew you can make your own scarf by just measuring it to the size you want and finishing off the seams. Another idea is to take it to your local cleaner where in most cases they have in-house sewers.
For that navy suit, you have worn for years consider selecting a scarf that will bring some excitement to it such as a gold and navy print, or a burgundy and navy design. You will be surprised how new, an old suit can look, worn with a lovely dash of color with your new matching scarf tied around your shoulders. Another way to make an old suit look fresh is by selecting an attractive printed blouse or shell top to wear underneath it. Choose a print that will be obvious to draw attention to the blouse or shell making the suit be a backdrop to the outfit. Consider wearing a lace top ( If used for the office most companies will request that clothes worn are appropriate for their culture and may request you wear a top that is not see-through)
It is amazing how you can make an old basic black dress come to life. One example is to take a print scarf in a vibrant color combination such as white, black, and red or other bright color combos to make a dramatic accent. Add with the scarf a gold-tone or pearl studded pin to hold the scarf in position in the following manner: drape the scarf dramatically around the dress over the shoulder and fasten the pin. To hold in position at the shoulder, try to use scarves that are large enough to cover the top part of the dress. To turn that same simple black dress into an attractive dinner dress consider placing black beaded appliques on it. You can purchase exquisite pre-made appliques that can be tacked on to the dress and removed without damaging the fabric. It is amazing how a touch of sequins or pearls on a black dress can change the entire look.
Once you start looking at your old wardrobe as a creative palette of infinite possibilities you will start feeling excited to think of what new looks you can create simply and easily without breaking the bank. It just takes a little bit of effort and the rewards are great…not only is it fun but the outcome brings a new lift to your old wardrobe and a new bounce in your step. There is nothing like feeling good in that new outfit you created and looking forward to wearing it for the first time!