Tips and Tricks on How to Revamp Your Clothes
Quarantine meets spring cleaning is most definitely here, and our closets are no exception.
We start by sorting through clothes that we bought but never really wore, sometimes with the tags still on (oops), or clothes we have worn so many times they feel overdone. Then, of course, are the clothes that we keep around just because, even if they’re carrying that one little stain or just do not even fit right anymore. Let’s also not forget about the used-to-be-white Vans or Converse that probably should have been thrown out a couple wears ago.
But, before we get rid of our forgotten pieces, there are numerous exciting ways to spice them up to become our new favorites!
Image Courtesy: Instagram
We often don’t realize that the tools to give our clothes a new feel are right in our own homes! Starting with a simple pair of scissors, we can crop or alter tops. With hoodies that have become too tight around the neck, we can also cut around the neckline and follow the seam to remove the hood, creating a revamped sweatshirt! We can even take care of shrunken sleeves by cropping with scissors, then rolling them up on a certain top or sweater!
Scissors can also offer our plain blue jeans some new rips or a completely different style. As an example, start by cutting two horizontal lines into a piece of denim jeans while eyeing the desired size of the rip. Then, using a tweezer, separate the blue pieces of denim to reveal the white strands that give the beloved distressed look.
Additionally, collarless denim jackets have been trending recently in film and TV and are an easy at-home DIY. Just like cutting off the hood of our sweatshirts, we can use our scissors to follow the seam line of the collar of a denim jacket, making it collarless.
Moving on, we all know the notorious, irreversible bleach stain. The one we received accidentally while cleaning. The one that cannot be undone. However, instead of despising it, we can embrace it! Bleach, when used safely, can be used to give a tie-dye effect on our clothes. On lighter-toned clothes, the bleach will lift the color to leave us with a white tone. On darker-toned clothes (black or navy blue), the bleach will lift the color to reveal a red or burnt orange look. To create this tie-dye pattern, start by scrunching up the fabric and securing it with rubber bands (if necessary). Next, it is important to first soak the piece of clothing you would like to bleach with water first, and then apply the bleach to desired areas with a spray bottle.
When we apply bleach to denim, it can lighten the already existing wash. As a result, using the bleach to lighten only certain parts of a pair of jeans, like the back pockets or only one leg, can give them a new flare! This method can also be used on a denim jacket by choosing to only lighten the wash of the sleeves or the back of the jacket, giving it an updated and different feel. The more water you add to your pieces of clothing, the more the bleach becomes activated and lifts the color.
Aside from the at-home tools, if we wanted to get even more creative, we can do some online shopping for other helpful products. For example, tie-dye kits make it easy to add color and pattern to plain white pieces. Also, paint is a unique way to spice up our basic tops or bottoms. I find that acrylic paint works best on fabric and denim. For any small details, or maybe the less coordinated, most craft store websites also offer fabric paint markers for more precision and control. However, before painting or drawing with your paint marker, an easy way to give yourself a rough draft is sidewalk chalk. The chalk consistency makes it easy to erase or undo any mistakes (since you can wipe it away), providing a proper outline for which you can then paint over with your marker.
Finally, the white sneakers that are looking a little dull. If we wanted to simply restore the white, many people aren’t aware that stores like Target, sell shoe whitener that you can purchase online. A recommended brand is KIWI Sport Shoe Whitener. After getting your sneakers wet, simply apply the whitener then rinse it off, and your shoes will be close to brand-new again.
If we’re not looking to restore our shoes to white, we can also treat the sneakers like a canvas. Shoes like Vans are perfect to paint on. Again, I highly recommend acrylic paint. After any type of painting, it is important to remember to seal our creative work with a finisher. My favorite finish spray is by the company Winsor & Newton and it protects from dust and moisture that our clothes or shoes encounter throughout the day. The bottle to look for can be found online and should read: General Purpose Matt Spray Varnish.
Image Courtesy: Instagram
If you’re looking for more motivation to refresh your closet favorites, take a look at websites that offer creative ideas and inspiration! Instagram and Pinterest are two great places to start and find super fun themes to try to replicate. Once I find the right pictures, I always like to add my own twist or personalized aspects to it to make it my own!
Strike Out,
Writer: Jackie Elliott
Boca Raton