It’s no secret that I Love a good clothing challenge, especially when it involves reimagining what’s already in our closets. That’s exactly what today’s post is all about: how to wear old clothes in a new style.
Quote of the day: “Confidence comes not from always being right but from not fearing to be wrong.” Peter McIntyre
I have many names/descriptions for this type of idea:
-I like to point out that we should stop categorizing our clothes
-Be the boss of your clothes
-Finding ways to origami your items
Our closets are full of wonderful items that we bought because we loved them. But that doesn’t mean you can only wear them the way they were intended to be worn.
Let’s create new brain pathways by showing how to wear clothes in a new style, from easy options to more advanced ideas.
Pro tip: Your clothes are just pieces of material sewn in certain places. They are not relegated to be worn ONLY 1 way.
Lesley starts us off with the most approachable version of this challenge by taking a favorite summer dress and restyling it for fall.
This is a great place to start because you’re not reinventing the piece; you’re just adding smart layers. It’s a reminder that seasonal boundaries are meant to be broken, and one reason I don’t believe in switching out my closet for a new season.
Pro tip: We are very adept at layering cardigans over tops and jackets over sweaters. It’s time to start upping our layering game with other ideas.
This type of summer dress is fabulous for the idea of how to wear old clothes in a new style. Lesley layered it over a pair of leggings and added a long-sleeved top underneath.
Here is when Lesley wore the item as a dress.
The genius part of this transformation is that she didn’t try to hide the fact that it’s a dress. Instead, she embraced the silhouette and treated it like a tunic. A belt could easily change the proportions, but even without one, the layers create depth and interest.
Details:
-I love how Lesley added color accessories to give more sass to the outfit.
-Even Lesley’s sneakers are bold and colorful. A perfect example of how comfy shoes can still be fun.
I had my mom style one of her favorite tunics as a top. Sure, she kept the same color combination she usually wears (except for the purse) to keep it within her comfort zone.
Now, this might sound simple, but it takes a little bit of out-of-the-box thinking. Most of us categorize clothes in our minds: tunic = worn over pants. But this idea proves that those mental boxes are meant to be broken!
Her printed tunic has a flowy shape and longer length and is something she typically pairs with leggings or slim jeans.
But instead of defaulting to that silhouette, I wanted her to try tucking it into a skirt instead.
Check out the multiple times Charlotte has worn this tunic:
–With leggings
–For travel
–With capris in the heat
This is such a clever trick because it shows that you don’t have to wear an item the way the store intended. The minute you tuck it in, that “tunic” label disappears, and it just looks like a chic blouse.
Details:
-My mom made this leather skirt and has worn it multiple times on the blog. One of my favorites was with a feminine top half.
-The yellow purse really adds a modern edge to the look by taking away the matchy-matchy effect.
You know I can’t resist a creative twist, and I love origami-ing my clothing.
For this challenge, I transformed a pair of pants and turned them into a top. So basically, I’m wearing 2 bottoms…a pair of pants AND a pair of shorts, along with a cardigan.
These pants were worn multiple times on my site:
–Unexpected colors with leopard
–5 ways to wear leopard print pants
–Leopard and green
It sounds wild, but it’s one of those “once you see it, you can’t unsee it” ideas that makes you realize how flexible our clothes can be.
With a couple of safety pins on each side and a brooch in the middle, these leopard pants turned into the most unique top!
Maybe it’s not the kind of transformation you’d do every day, but it’s such a fun reminder that style is supposed to be playful.
Details:
-Want to see how I origamied the pants into this top? FB video. With a black tank under it, I could even take off the cardigan.
-Purse charms are such a fun way to decorate your purse. You can find many on Etsy or use things you have at home, like tassels, any pendant with a lobster clasp, or even your jewelry.
Wearing old clothes in a new style isn’t just about saving Money (although that’s a bonus!). It’s about approaching your closet with curiosity instead of boredom.
Every piece of clothing you own has potential. You just need to see it through a new lens. And that’s the idea behind many of my articles.
Pro tip: It’s all about maximizing creativity and minimizing waste.
Plus, when you play with what you already have, you end up discovering new outfit combinations that get you excited about your clothing again.
Sometimes, the pieces we’ve owned for years just need a little nudge to feel new again.
So the next time you’re tempted to buy something new, take a second look at what’s already in your closet.
These are the kinds of hacks that I love sharing on my social media sites. So make sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, too.
Start with the easy version Lesley demonstrated, work your way to Charlotte’s creative styling, and then have some real fun experimenting like I did.
Fashion doesn’t have to follow rules…it just has to make you feel fabulous.
Because at the end of the day, style isn’t about what you wear, it’s about how you wear it.
And sometimes, the best way to refresh your wardrobe isn’t by shopping, but by wearing your old clothes in a new style.
The post How to Wear Old Clothes in A New Style appeared first on Jodie’s Touch of Style.
