May 20, 2011

6 Clothing Items You Can Repurpose Now


























When budgets are tight, what’s a girl do to make her closet stretch? You can make your closet work for you by using items in new ways and doubling their use. Here are six items that you can repurpose now!

1. Wear a dress as a shirt: Is your closet full of sundresses that only get used on the weekends? Or special occasion dresses that are reserved solely for nighttime events? Don’t let them sit in your closet anymore, because dresses can make great work blouses. Simply layer them under a skirt with enough volume to hide the bottom of the dress, and you’ve suddenly expanded your blouse collection!

Dress (left): Target, $40
Dress (right): H&M, $14

Just like J:
1. Sparkle & Fade Linen Pull-On Skirt, $54 at Urban Outfitters
2. Forever 21 Dreamy Springtime Skirt, $17.80


























2. Fake a dress: Do you wish you had a white or black dress in your closet? Try creating one using a monochromatic shirt and skirt instead. It gives the illusion of a dress without having to buy anything new!

White skirt: Banana Republic, $35

Just like J:
1. The Limited Sateen Pencil Skirt, $49.90
2. Halogen Cotton Sateen Pencil Skirt, $59 at Nordstrom


3. Wear swimwear for day: Intricate swim cover-ups are simply too pretty to be reserved for the pool. Pair your detailed swim cover-ups with a pencil skirt for work, or over some skinny jeans for a casual day of errands!

Cover-up (left): H&M, $10
Cover-up (right): Forever 21, $30

Just like J:
1. Victoria’s Secret Paisley Cover-Up, $68
2. Victoria’s Secret Gold Bead V-Back Tie-Dye Dress, $49.50




















4. Wear a brooch as a necklace: Get twice the use out of your brooches by looping a chain through them and wearing them as a necklace! Easy to do, and your pretty brooches will get the wear they deserve.

Brooch (left): Banana Republic, $20
Brooch (right): Boutique in Kansas

Just like J:
1. missgaylee Shoulder Sitting Green Eyed Panther Brooch, $19.50 on Etsy
2. 2028 Brooch Red Crystal Flower, $25 at Macy’s


























5. Wear a dress as a skirt: Don’t have a black skirt? A black dress will work in a pinch! Don’t be afraid to layer a shirt or sweater over your dresses to wear them as skirts. It completely changes the look of your dress and eliminates the need to buy a new skirt! 

Dress (left): The Unique Closet, $40
Shirt (left): TJ Maxx, $15
Dress (right): H&M, $18
Sweater (right): H&M, $15

Just like J:
1. The Unique Closet Zip Me Strapless Zippered Pocket Dress, $39.50
2. ASOS Lace Dress with Peter Pan Collar, $83.09


6. Replace the self-tie: One of the quickest ways to give your old pieces a new look is by replacing the “self-tie” (the piece of fabric that comes with coats, dresses, shirts and ties around the waist) with a real belt. I looped a leather belt through the loops of my sweater, and even switched out the tie in a winter coat!

Coat (left): Banana Republic, $125
Belt (left): Filene’s Basement, $5
Sweater (right): Banana Republic, $30
Belt (right): H&M, $20

Just like J:
1. American Eagle Cinched Leather Belt, $29.50
2. Ann Taylor LOFT Chevron Beaded Belt, $34.50

This is a guest post for Shecky's.com. You can see it on their website here.

39 comments:

  1. I have this fantastic summer dress but wear it during the winter as a skirt and it is amazing! Love taking that route. You are adorable! Love your blog.

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  2.  Great Post...thanks for the tips! Will def. be utilizing some of them!!

    Roni
    www.styleandpoise.blogspot.com

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  3.  SUch great tips!  I'm going to definitely be using them all!

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  4.  Great ideas....thanks for this post.  I'm definitely going to be using these tips.  :)

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  5. I like your idea of using a dress as a shirt. I was just looking sadly at a dress that I bought online last year that's too short (we're not 16 anymore!) and that would be a great way to use it. Thanks!

    Also, might I add that when times are better financially, it's a good idea to invest in a few pricier but higher quality key pieces. They definitely last longer and are a better investment in the long run.

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  6. I have been following you for sometime and had notices how you use your dresses as either skirts or blouses and already have started doing the same.. :) And wearing brooches as pendants has been my favorite since long :)

    Thanks for this great ideas :)

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  7. Awesome tips! 

    When I wear a shirt over a dress, I'll often wear a thick belt to cover the space between where the shirt meets the skirt. This helps to give the illusion that the skirt is a stand-alone piece.

    For an example, see http://dailyjohaiku.blogspot.com/2011/02/fake-it-till-you-make-it-outfit-9.html

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  8. To go off the "brooch as a necklace" idea - when it's cold and you wear a hat, pin a brooch to it!  I took the brooch off my peacoat once and pinned it to my cable-knit beanie hat, and lots of people loved it. :)

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  9. I absolutely love this post!  You are a fashion wizard, J!  :) 

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  10. Great ideas! I am going to play "dress-up" right NOW! Thanks for the inspiration! 

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  11. Really, really great suggestions! You're so creative, thanks for the ideas! 

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  12. This post answered so many questions for me. I Love It!
    I had been seeing a lot of bloggers talk about wearing a dress as a skirt and I wanted to know how to pull that off. Now I know! 
    Thanks for sharing, J. Your are so appreciated! 

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  13. very cool
    thanks for the tips
    brett 

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  14. Wow, so many great ideas here. I am always concerned about slimming my lower half so I would never think to layer a skirt over a dress, but that's a great idea. Also love the "create a dress" with the separates. I love the white lace top in that series! Thanks for all the great inspiration!
    practicallyfabulous.com

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  15. I love your advice J, you are always so on point and I seriously think that you can read my mind sometimes...it's like you know what I need lol!  Now, please share with me where you found that gorgeous scarf you belted in the second point :)
    xoxoxo
    Lia 

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  16. jseverydayfashionMay 20, 2011 at 1:01 PM

    @62e2e196b69143c22d70903afd7da29a:disqus So glad I could help. The scarf is from Banana Republic last year. I'm not huge into scarves but when I saw it I knew I needed it immediately! :-)

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  17. Sometimes I like to wear long necklaces as a belt around the small of my waist

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  18. I have done this before but not as creative as you! I need that first white skirt that's a little bulkier to cover more dress. Awesome colors. 

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  19. Wow. Thanks for these tips! I always have way too many dresses and skirts, but never thought about wearing a dress as a blouse with a skirt! I need to do this asap. Perfect for work.

    Samantha
    Mus(eum)ings: Musings from a Museum Intern
    http://museuminternmusings.blogspot.com

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  20. I recently bought a colorful sarong and was thinking of using it as an overlay for a neutral skirt.  I will definitely try it now!

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  21.  great ideas! I have a brooch that I love but never wear, I will definitely try it out as a necklace. 

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  22. kimberlylightfootMay 20, 2011 at 4:55 PM

    Very informative post!! 

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  23.  Another great post!  I feel like I've already heard about all the tricks, but you always come up with fresh ideas and great visuals.  Thanks, love it.

    Marcia
    http://stylenotebook.blogspot.com/

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  24. jseverydayfashionMay 20, 2011 at 5:33 PM

    @baf77ee68c0e386c015489da5ae3c731 Yeah, these are all old photos and tips that I've shared separately, but I decided to put them in one, organized place for everyone! :-) Thank you!

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  25. I always replaced the self-tie with a belt... I hardly ever wear the fabric belt that is included with clothing! Cute... 

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  26. Veronika's BlushingMay 20, 2011 at 8:50 PM

    great post!

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  27. Joanne ConstantineMay 21, 2011 at 6:42 PM

    Gorgeous pics! How does wearing the dress as a top work? Id imagine it would get loose on top very quickly and you would need to stick your hand under your skirt to pull it down every so often hehe :)

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  28. @f387848484617e9e84d81786ad72539c It really works the same way as wearing a top tucked into a skirt. If your skirt is fitted on your waist it shouldn't move! In fact, it actually stays tucked in better than a shirt in some cases, b/c if your shirt isn't very long it can keep popping out all day). :-)

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  29. These are really creative/innovative ideas I can copy! Thanks much

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  30. Amazing. I just spent half an hour in my closet pairing dresses with various skirts and tops. I think you've doubled my wardrobe, if not more.

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  31. That's awesome Rachelle! Love it.

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  32. I just had to come back and tell you that I was just about to get rid of a few of my favorite dresses Marciano, Bebe, VS, etc (because they are too short and sexy for my current taste) but now I can keep them to wear with my skirts. I am just too excited to try out my instant new wardrobe now.  I'm so glad my friend told me about your site. Thanks J!

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  33. Great tips! I'm going to use the where a dress as a shirt tip this week! Thanks 

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  34. Really great tips, thank you.

    Donation-Can.com

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  35. Thanks for the tip, that is such a great idea! Actually it's very helpful because I am trying to pare down my wardrobe, and this just might help with letting go of old clothes I don't want or need anymore. With this tip I feel like I can do so many more things with my wardrobe now!

    One question though: how do you manage a dress under a white skirt? I tried that but the pattern showed through the white skirt...

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  36. Thanks Marie! The skirt I used for that tip is a thick, ivory double-lined skirt from Banana. Using a skirt that is thick and not too fitted (pleats help) is the key, the color is generally less important! Even if its white, the thickness and pleats should mask it. 

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