33 upcycling clothes ideas to elevate your wardrobe
Every day people are becoming more conscious of the impact that fast fashion has on our planet, so we're here to help with ideas for upcycling items you already own.
Reducing, reusing, and re-wearing is the key to making your clothes more sustainable, and upcycling is a great way to breathe new life into old clothing.
Unloved items can be transformed into stunning new pieces with just a needle, thread and scissors. Whether that’s creating a totally new outfit, or simply mending a hole in your favourite jumper. There's so much we can do to update old clothes, whether that's transforming a dress into a jumpsuit or a jumper into a poncho. It's so satisfying to give tired clothing a new lease of life!
If your clothes are beyond rescue, consider investing in a sustainably made wardrobe with carefully chosen high-quality garments. You'll not only be assured your clothing is made with the planet in mind, but that it'll last much longer than fast fashion choices.
34 upcycling clothes ideas
Turn an unworn item in your wardrobe into something new using these upcycling clothes ideas.
Top picks
- Cover stained leather with custom patches
- Make sturdy repairs with PVC Patches
- Transform plain clothes with embroidered custom patches
- Turn a scarf into a summer cover-up
- Refashion a men's shirt into a cami top
- Turn old clothes into accessories
- Master the art of visible mending
- Remake an old sweater into a cosy winter poncho
The ultimate inspiration for upcycling enthusiasts
If you're looking for more ways to embellish, refashion and upcycle your old clothes, then you'll love our guide to upcycling. This special edition from Simply Sewing magazine features 16 fun projects that will help you transform your wardrobe and add a personal touch to your outfits.
- Download the guide to upcycling from our shop.
1. Save a broken bag with a PVC patch
When items made from thicker fabrics, such as canvas bags, develop a hole or get stained, they can be difficult to fix. Using a PVC patch is a great choice for fixing any item that needs to be sturdy, as it'll help to strengthen your upcycled item while also looking like it's part of the design, rather than a repair.
- Order your custom PVC patches
2. Breathe new life into an old leather jacket
Everyone has a leather jacket phase at some point in their life (if you haven't, then maybe now's the time). But whether you've found one in the back of your wardrobe or have found a second-hand bargain, you can make your jacket unique to you by adding your own custom leather patches.
They're also great for using on rucksacks, and you can even order ones with self-adhesive or iron-on backing, which will be easier than sewing through leather!
- Find out more about custom patches
3. Turn workwear into an eye-catching everyday outfit
Clothing made specifically as workwear tends to be made with thicker fabric that will last longer. While they may be a more sustainable choice, it takes a certain style to be able to pull off a pair of overalls. Adding embroidered patches onto plain canvas, heavy cotton, or even corduroy clothing can totally transform the look!
- Discover more about ordering custom patches
4. Turn a shirt into a blouse
Upcycling clothes doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes it's as simple as removing the sleeves! Jennie Jones explains how to turn a shirt into a blouse in her simple step-by-step tutorial.
5. How to sew a pocket
Upcycling old T-shirts can be as easy as adding a contrasting pocket. Learn how to sew a pocket so you can make your clothes both pretty and practical.
6. Wrap crop top DIY
The Felted Fox has created a really simple upcycle which turns a men's shirt into a wrap crop top. We love the bow at the back and think these tops will become a summer staple.
7. Vintage blouse to bustier transformation
Transformations By Tracy has an amazing YouTube channel where she gives you loads of upcycling clothes ideas.
We particularly love this vintage blouse to Regency Era-inspired bustier tutorial. It's easy to follow and gives us all the Bridgerton vibes.
8. Sarong refashion
Upcycling clothes has never been easier. Use Portia Lawrie’s refashion tutorial to turn a sarong into a summer top. This is especially good for us Brits who don't get much use from their beach clothes!
Check out her sun top pattern and add it to your To Upcycle list.
9. Jazz up a jacket with lapel pins
Perhaps you're wondering how to breathe new life into your old jacket, but aren't exactly a sewing expert? No worries, you can easily customise a jacket with some simple lapel pins and badges. If you want to be truly unique, order your own custom designs and really stand out from the crowd!
- Learn more about custom pins
10. Turn jeans into a cute skirt
Transform old jeans into a mid-length skirt with Jessica Entwistle's free upcycling clothes tutorial. A denim skirt is a summer staple and you can customise the pattern to make it as long or short as you'd like.
Learn how to turn a pair of jeans into a skirt and share this hack with all your pals.
11. Shirt to cami upcycle
a more gathered look and a relaxed, casual shape.
Whether it's your partners, dads, or a charity shop find, there's plenty of upcycling ideas you do with men's shirts. Jennie Jones's easy men’s shirt refashion turns plain shirts into cute off-shoulder tops that are ideal for summer.
12. Turn a scarf into a summer cover-up
We're not settling for just upcycling clothes ideas, oh no. We're going all out with accessories upcycling too. Lana Red shows you how to turn a scarf into a summer cover-up that's perfect for your next holiday.
This refashion is much more affordable than buying a new beach cover-up and it's better for the planet!
13. DIY bodysuit
My Styled Diaryy is a Surinamese Sewing blogger & Youtuber whose platforms are full of incredible upcycling clothes ideas. Here she shows you how to turn an old tank top into a fitted bodysuit.
14. Men's shirt refashion
If our upcycling clothes ideas aren't quite right for you then what about this shirt into a cami top refashion?
Portia Lawrie is the queen of upcycling clothes and we think this tutorial makes great use out of unused shirts. Who doesn't love a cami top?
15. Add a peplum to your T-shirt
Give old T-shirts a little makeover with Jennie Jones t-shirt to peplum top refashion. This is a great project for beginners as it doesn't follow a pattern and can be easily adjusted. All you need is a man’s XL T-shirt and your sewing kit.
16. Upcycled sweater project
Got several jumpers you just don't wear anymore? Then Portia Lawrie's upcycled sweater project is your next upcycling clothes mission. She shows you how to sew several different colours/textures together to create a new patchwork jumper.
17. Curtains to clothes
Transform a pair of voile curtains (that's right, curtains!) into a pleated midi skirt that's perfect for twirling. Portia Lawrie’s easy tulle skirt refashion is a must-make for any cottagecore fans out there.
18. Full bust adjustment
Upcycling clothes is all about making clothes feel comfortable and wearable for you. Having a bigger chest shouldn't mean you miss out on wearing pretty floral dresses so learn how to do a full bust adjustment with Roisin McKenna's tutorial.
19. Turn old clothes into accessories
We've given you plenty of upcycling clothes ideas but how about upcycling your clothes into something different? Cut up old dresses, tops, and trousers and learn how to make a scrunchie with the fabric.
20. Add your own enamel pins
Many people like to accessorise their outfits with enamel pins, as they're a great way of adding your own style to clothing or accessories without being permanent. While many people like to collect pins based around their interests such as TV shows or hobbies, you can even go one step further by ordering your own custom pins – get a few extra for your friends too!
21. Make flares from your jeans
70's clothing and flares are all the rage at the moment. If you want to jump on the flare hype then Wiki How has a really simple upcycle tutorial for you. They show you how to add an extra panel into your jeans to turn them into flares.
22. DIY Vest
This genius upcycle idea is from Trish Stitched, a handbag designer, blogger, and petite apparel maker. She shows you how to turn cargo pants into this fab vest. It even has pockets!
23. Refashioning shorts to a skirt
Fickle Sense has some really clever upcycling ideas on her blog including these shorts into a tulip skirt tutorial. It's the ideal refashion for those shorts which are a bit too long.
24. Adjust the neckline
Sometimes you find a t-shirt you love but the neckline isn't quite right. Either it's too high, too old-fashioned, or too tight! Luckily The Fashion Wanderer is here to show you how to make V necklines in your beloved tops.
25. DIY choker dress from t-shirt
Add an extra edge to your plain t-shirt dresses with Trash to Couture's choker neckline. It's an easy way to turn a high-street dress into runway style. Plus there's no tedious hemming/finishing required - result!
26. Visible mending
This tutorial by Flora Collingwood-Noris is a mixture of both mending and upcycling. Flora shows you to do visible mending, a technique where you patch up a hole or stain with a decorative pattern.
The pattern can give your outfits an extra edge both fixing and upcycling them at the same time.
27. Cardigan conversion
If you have some sweaters that are a little too tight then Delia Creates is here to help. She shows you how to turn a sweater into a cute button cardigan. Perfect for chilly summer evenings.
28. T-shirt to shorts DIY
The Instructables has created these surfer-style shorts from an oversized top and we just love them. All you'll need to make these comfy shorts is an XL t-shirt and your sewing supplies.
29. Shirt to ruffle top flip
The Essentials Club has loads of upcycling clothes ideas on their YouTube channel so we'd definitely recommend subscribing. This shirt to pretty ruffle top refashion has a drawstring tie meaning it can fit all shapes and sizes.
30. One-shoulder upcycle
My Style Diaryy is back with another upcycling tutorial. This time she shows you how to turn a long-sleeved top into a one-shoulder piece giving it that modern edge. You'll just need some elastic and your sewing machine!
31. Bandana shirt upcycling project
Spruce up an old shirt with this clever upcycling hack from Debbie Wainhouse! She's used just one bandana to give a denim shirt a fresh new look.
Try the bandana shirt upcycling idea today.
32 Pencil skirt pattern
What can you do with an old sweater? Turn it into a comfy pencil skirt! This pencil skirt pattern by Portia Lawrie will make your second-hand jumpers into something chic.
33. Cosy winter poncho
Keep warm all winter by fashioning your own snuggly poncho! This poncho pattern by Jennie Jones makes use of a large men's sweater to make an elegant new garment.
Upcycling clothes ideas to refresh your wardrobe
If you have lots of unworn clothing sitting in your wardrobe, now is the time to bring out the needle and thread and upcycle them into something beautiful!
Combining upcycling and buying new from sustainable fashion brands will ensure you're creating a long-lasting eco-friendly wardrobe.
Get sustainable with your sewing supplies
Now that you've made your wardrobe full of upcycled outfits, grab up your fabric leftovers and learn how to sew a selvedge travel case.
