This is Campus Fashion, your source of inspiration for seasonal trends, cool finds, and wardrobe basics to keep you looking stylish throughout the year.
What is trending now could easily be found in the most unexpected place: your wardrobe. As fashion tends to recycle every so often, you may already own an on-trend piece in your wardrobe without realizing it. You may also find a lot of great do-it-yourself (DIY) projects that can help you update what’s already in your closet. The Cascade took a look at some tips and hacks that will save you a bundle by using what you have at home!
Chances are, an on-trend style you love at the mall or you saw on your Pinterest board is safely tucked away in your closet. Going through bags or boxes of clothes you have stored away may reveal hidden gems that you can still wear today. Look for seasonal colours and pieces in your wardrobe that embody trends you like.
Garment care
Taking care of your wardrobe will ensure longevity and save you money over time. Instead of investing in a new sweater, use a fabric shaver to remove pilling. For tears and rips, look up YouTube videos to see if you can repair the damage. Lint rollers are also good at keeping your clothing in tip-top shape and removes unwanted pet hair and dust. There are so many inexpensive hacks you can use to help maintain your clothing so that they last for a long time.
DIY projects
There are inexpensive DIY projects that can help update your wardrobe. Natural dying can transform that favourite white shirt you no longer wear because it’s stained. Adding embroidered floral patches to a pair of blue jeans transforms an otherwise plain style into a customized look. There are numerousseveral tutorials and videos online that walk you through projects that can help revamp pieces in your wardrobe and give them a second life.
If you own a sewing machine, there are fashion patterns available that can help you turn a regular bolt of material into clothing you love. There are lots of inexpensive patterns available through online stores like Etsy, and thrift stores as well. Making your own clothing is a great way to have a more sustainable wardrobe that is also couture.
Tailoring
Customizing your wardrobe on a budget makes all the difference, especially if you have that perfect piece that is just too long or too big to wear. Not only is this something you can learn to do at home, but tailored pieces tend to help people look more put together because of the excellent fit. This is a great way to avoid investing time and money into finding a replacement. Sometimes it is also worth going to a seamstress or asking someone who sews to help tailor your clothing if you are unsure how to. Researching where there are tailors or seamstresses in your area or learning to sew through online tutorials can help you customize your wardrobe to fit your needs and proportions.
There you have it, a list of different ways you can refresh your closet on a budget. May you enjoy your semester with a coffee in one hand while gracing the halls looking your best.
Rachel is working towards a BA with a concentration in English and Theatre. She has been employed at The Cascade since Fall 2021 as a Staff Writer and a Jr. News Editor. Currently, she is the sectional News Editor and enjoys meeting and interviewing people as well as taking long walks in nature. Rachel also likes to stay up to date on the latest trends and informs students through her fashion column entitled Campus Fashion.