Who among us has not walked to their closets and dresser drawers with dread, bored to tears of everything inside and knowing that they can’t just buy a whole new wardrobe just because their picky heart desired it?  Sometimes all that is needed is a creative spark of inspiration, scissors, some string and/or thread, and nimble fingers.

I’m talking about renewing that wardrobe by reusing the clothes in fun inventive ways, so essentially recycling the wardrobe items.  Need some ideas?

With strategic snips of the scissors and skilled ribbon use, a shirt can get new ruched sides that will flatter the waistline and draw visual interest!

Sleeves can be tinkered with by cutting them completely off, shortening them, cutting slits into them for butterfly sleeves.  A strategic cut into the neckline can create a v-cut neck to the shirt.  With a glue gun and crystals or a bedazzler, exciting sparkle can liven up even the most dull shirts.  If feeling really adventurous, mixing up a bucket of dye and changing the total look of the shirt is an idea.  Fabric markers or decals can also be used on the shirt for personalized designs.  There are many options for the thrifty soul who wants to make totally new items from their old shirts.

Jeans that have become ratty on the bottom can become broken in, just like new capris or shorts!  Cut off the bottom part of the jeans as short as you are trying to go and then either leave the hem frayed for a cut-offs look or hem the new pair of shorts.

Have a plain item of clothing that you want to look different?  Buy ribbon or extra materials and add spizazz to it!  No need to have boring looks if you don’t want them.

A rather ingenious way to turn old clothes that you are tired of into something enjoyable is to create accessories out of them.  That outdated denim skirt can become a totally cool clutch handbag with the right sewing!  Love the pattern on a skirt but utterly tired of the fit?  Cut out strips and make it into a headband!  Belt loops on a pair of denim shorts can be cut off along with the rivets on the on the jean’s pockets, glue the rivets onto the belt loop with hot glue and seal it into a loop for a cute new ring.  Turn that old college sweatshirt in to a one-of-a-kind bag!

Seeing the same old clothes in a wardrobe can be oh so boring, but refashioning them in an unexpected, fun way can liven it up enough that it all seems like new!