One of the biggest contributors to waste is clothing, especially fast fashion. This is why upcycling clothing is the most eco-friendly way to never run out of style without purchasing any new garments.
They said you should never throw away any “outdated” piece of clothing because styles come in cycles and that, too, can come back a few years later. And even if they get too worn and torn, you can always make good use of them.
Here are seven clever fashion hacks and other upcycling clothes ideas you can try.

Upcycling clothing by adding patches
The nice thing about patches is that they work on most clothes and even bags. Of course, you have to consider the item you’ll be working on and find the perfect pieces that’ll complete them.
Like buttons, you can also purchase your patches from craft and tool shops.
Remember shoulder pads
Shoulder pads became popular in the 1930s. Shoulder pads may look funny for some people but they’re a big help in enhancing coats, jackets, blouses, and even dresses. These pads help create the illusion of having broad shoulders. Plus, they offer subtle support for people with sloping shoulders, too.
Shoulder pads make for great upcycled vintage clothing specially on jackets. If you have an oversized denim jacket hiding in your closet, take it out.
Buy a new set of shoulder pads and sew them into your jacket. You’ll look like you got it from a luxury brand!
How to upcycle jeans: Take out your jeans’ pockets
If you’re tentative about how to upcycle jeans, you can try this idea. Don’t be afraid to experiment with this hack.
If you’re afraid of ruining your jeans, you can start with one back pocket first and see how you’d like your jeans after.
If you’re feeling a bit brave, remove both back pockets and fray the hems of your jeans. It’s not that complicated so go ahead and give it a try.
Get new buttons
If you have old blazers that you really adore, consider sewing new buttons on them. You can get really nice pieces from local and online craft shops.
Now, don’t worry about sewing them into your clothes. The process is quite easy. With a needle and a thread, you should be able to complete this hack in just a few minutes.
Buttons are generally not expensive. Plus, you’ll just need a few pieces. With this hack, your clothes will look brand new again.
Upcycling clothes by adding embellishments
Got old chains in your drawer? It’s time to take them out and use them in making your clothes and jacket pockets look fancy. This trick works well with socks and caps, too.
Try the men’s section
If you want to be fashionable, you have to be confident.
That includes shopping the men’s section and looking for a pair of trousers that fits you. The trick here is to pull the extra fabric towards the front and then fold over before securing everything with a belt.
Bleach
Bleaching isn’t just great for getting a new hair color. The technique works well in giving clothing items a vintage look, too.
Obviously, your clothes need a different kind of bleach. If you’re unsure how to do this trick, there are tons of tutorials online like this one.
Takeaway
Upcycling clothing doesn’t only save nature — it also saves you money. Don’t worry about being fashion-forward; it’s best to be savvy about it by learning these fashion hacks. Let us know which one is your favorite and goes well with your style.
Source: YouTube – Dirty Danny TV, Wikipedia