Have you ever been a victim of the exclamation, “I have nothing to wear!” even though your closet is overflowing with clothes? This creativity block plagues the minds of many, and is something not even a Pinterest board can fix. To this, I propose just one simple solution: repurpose your closet to fit your current needs and style.
Most do not know that the “I have nothing to wear” phenomenon is due to being overwhelmed. To specify, when your closet is filled to the brim, your mind cannot physically comprehend how many clothes you have.
The first step to repurposing your closet is to sort it. First, take all your clothing out and lay them out on your bed. Next, start shuffling through them and pay attention to what emotions arise with the question: “Does this item bring me joy?” It is also important to take into consideration whether the article of clothing fits you or not, so don’t be afraid to try it on.
When you’ve tried on the clothing item, make sure that you can pair it with other items in your closet in a way that you find stylish. If it fits, brings you joy, and is easy to style, keep it.
You should also make sure to donate all your unwanted clothing items to a donation center, such as a Goodwill or a Salvation Army, so that your old clothes can find new homes. Once you have sorted through all of your clothing and organized it efficiently, it’s time to repurpose.
My favorite way of repurposing clothing is to cut the collars off of old shirts and crewnecks. This requires absolutely no sewing skills; all you need is a pair of scissors. First, start by cutting a few centimeters below the collar, and work your way around until the collar is completely cut off. Then, try it on! What this creates is a fabulous off-the-shoulder shirt; however, if the neck is not wide enough to give that look after cutting, take your scissors and cut another few centimeters off. In my opinion, this look works best with graphic t-shirts, but be creative!
In the 2000s, a trend of wearing dresses over jeans emerged, with stars like Devon Aoki gracing the runway with this inventive look. Lately, many on social media have hated this trend and consider it a fashion crime. To me, this throwback trend has become a lifesaver for wearing dresses in the winter without needing to buy new clothing. Simply throw on a dress—preferably a slip or some other kind of sleeveless dress—and grab a pair of jeans or pants. Flared jeans look best with this look. Why go out of your way to buy new winter clothes when a sundress layered over jeans can make for the perfect repurposed autumn look?
Many have a pair of jeans that they cannot make look good, no matter how hard they try. When a dress can’t fix a lousy pair of jeans, perhaps reach for the scissors again. For this next hack, take your least favorite pair of baggy jeans, your favorite pair of scissors, and cut slightly above the knee to create a baggy pair of denim shorts! The “jorts” trend, originally seen on 70s rockers such as Joan Jett and Debbie Harry, took social media by storm last summer. Every clothing brand began selling jorts, and many wondered where they should get their first pair. They should’ve realized that making use of what’s already available is the best way to maximize their closets and repurpose items they no longer love.
Repurposing clothes and bringing life into them is the first step to being fashionable. Your closet should be a picture of your personal style; your outfits are a reflection of your personality. Often an overlooked part of fashion, the act of repurposing is the key to developing a collection of clothes that you will love for years to come.
