10 Ways to Flip Your Closet: Read this if you hate all of your clothes!
Graphic by: Agnes Lee
Every few months, I go through a phase where I hate every article of clothing in my closet. Instead of breaking the bank or succumbing to the lure of fast fashion ads, I’ve started to flip the fits I already have. Here are 10 ways to change up the clothes in your closet when you feel like you need something new.
Use Printable Iron-On Transfer Paper
Find these useful and easy crafting tools at most art stores for fun and lightly-involved projects. Transfer sheets allow you to customize your own graphic tee, tote or hoodie. Simply flip the image or graphic you want to use and print it onto the sheet using a regular ink-jet printer. Then cut out the graphic and iron it onto a clothing item of your choosing.
Image courtesy of: Tamara Ulalisa.
2. Thrift some layering staples.
Especially in the winter, I have no motivation to dress my best and oftentimes resort to putting on the first sweater I grab from my closet and pairing with any plain pants. A great way to step up a simple winter fit is by layering a turtleneck or collared shirt underneath. These staple pieces are easy to thrift and they add dimension to any wardrobe.
Images courtesy of Pinterest.
3. Wear old pieces in a new way
Try to find unique and varied ways to wear your old clothing items, like tucking longer dresses or rompers into pants and wearing them as tops. Maybe cut those jeans you never wear into a pair of distressed shorts; the options are limitless!
4. Dig into the back of your closet
When I feel like I have nothing to wear, it’s usually because I’m only using about 20% of my closet items – if that. There are definitely clothes in all of our closets we haven’t touched in a while. Revisit those items and push yourself to integrate them into your outfits.
5. Accessorize
Adding accessories can really step up any fit. Hats, scarves, earmuffs, faux fur pieces, hand warmers, legwarmers, ripped tights and crocheted balaclavas are all very in right now – and you probably already have at least some of these items in your closet. If not, when in doubt, add some jewelry.
6. Push yourself to try new aesthetics within your closet.
I use Instagram Saved to curate my style inspiration. Although looking to Instagram influencers can feed into fast fashion, I try to use my Saved as a loose idea or mood board of what aesthetics I’m liking at the moment, and then look to Depop, vintage stores and thrift stores for similar pieces. I also use it to look through my closet with a fresh set of eyes and see what similar articles of clothing I already have and how I can mimic a similar fit.
Image courtesy of Tamara Ulalisa on Instagram.
7. Try to avoid microtrends and develop your personal style.
This is obviously so much easier said than done. Microtrends make fast fashion the most convenient option, but they cycle out so quickly it gives you whiplash. One great example is the Jaded London green alphabet jumpsuit – it seemed to be everywhere in the TikTok and Instagram fashion world but then became cheugy within a month. Try to make a conscious effort to seek out pieces that can become staples to your wardrobe. Ask yourself – would I still buy this if it wasn’t trending right now?
Image courtesy of Pinterest.
8. Tailor it!
If you find yourself not quite fitting into those thrifted pants – get it tailored! This option is still probably cheaper than a pair of jeans you would pick up at Urban Outfitters. It also provides a well-fitting, unique clothing item without breaking the bank on a new pair of True Religions or making an unethical and unsustainable fast fashion purchase. There are several reasonably priced tailors close to campus including June’s Alterations and Cleaners as well as Best Care Cleaners and Alterations.
9. Do a clothing swap with a friend.
It’s always better to swap than to buy new! Get together with friends and swap out a few pieces you’re sick of. Northwestern’s thrift store —Sustainable Evanston —is always a great option too!
@sustainableevanston on Instagram.
10. Scissors.
When in doubt, crop it. Just make sure you get an even cut!