How I created a stylish piece with $7 and a pair of scissors!

It’s the last day of winter and the perfect time to take stock of your wardrobe. I love working out what items will take me through Spring to Summer and what key pieces I wish to add to my wardrobe list. So, today I’m sharing with you an idea to help you mix up your wardrobe and add key items for less.

I have always wanted a denim vest. It has been on my wish list for a long time. Finding a preloved denim vest can be a challenge. These items are quick to go at Raid My Wardrobe events and are rare to find in op shops.

So, I decided to try something different to take up a re-fashion challenge. I wish share with you what I discovered.

Refashioning is perfect for:

• saving lots of money

• re-using something old you already own

• creating a new gorgeous item to wear

• keeping stylish and on-trend

It can be as easy as adding some badges to a denim jacket or embellishment to a top.

I had been hunting for a denim jacket at events and op shops for months – best tip always ask the op shop assistants if you are looking for anything in particular because sometimes what you want is out the back and hasn’t been hung out yet!  That’s what I did – this jacket above was $7 and still out the back.

Creating a vest was easy. All I needed was a pair of scissors to cut the sleeves off. I frayed the ends a bit and will probably do some more distressing in time.

I loved how it turned out and have been wearing it lots over winter. The perfect thing about this piece is that I can wear it all year round and it will take me through to Spring.

My next project is creating some distressed jeans 🙂

Here are my tips for re-fashioning a new wardrobe item:

1. Search Google Images and Pinterest for refashion ideas – decide on a project.

2. Source preloved items – either from your own wardrobe, your partner’s wardrobe, op shops or as you’ll only pay a few dollars for items so no dramas if you get it wrong first time around.

3. Watch ‘How to’ blog tutorials or videos on YouTube  – to get an idea of how to create your new look wardrobe piece.

4. Take before and after photos – for fun and to share with your friends!

5. Be creative – mix and change up the tutorial to suit your own style.

So, go to your wardrobe take out something that needs a lift or google some tutorials and share with me what you come up with by replying to this email. We all love to see what our community creates so tag us @raidmywardrobe on Facebook and Instagram and let us all be inspired!

Yours in all things preloved,

Rachel Prest

Director & Founder at Raid My Wardrobe

Rachel Prest is founder of Raid My Wardrobe. In 2010, she founded a preloved fashion event for women to refresh, recycle and reinvent their wardrobes. She began this blog in 2016 as a way to inspire, educate and encourage her community with more sustainable ways of fashion shopping, styling and creating. When she's not doing a wardrobe makeover or planning the next event you'll find her down at the beach, hiking or mountain biking in the bush or hanging out with her friends and her kids. Rachel is based in Newcastle, Australia.