9 Tips to Get You Excited About Wearing the Clothes Already in Your Closet
New seasons can bring the desire for a new wardrobe. What if we took a step back and re-evaluated what we already had in our closet instead of buying new items?
The tips in this guide will help you get excited about loving the clothes you already have!
Top Two Benefits Of Buying Less New Clothing
Appreciating what we already have is one of the most sustainable things we can do!
Plus, there are several benefits of buying less. Two of those are the environment and your wallet, which is what we’re talking about next.
It Benefits The Environment
Viewing clothing as disposable can really impact the environment. Americans throw away about 81.5 pounds of clothing every year. That is a lot of waste ending up in landfills.
This number can be reduced if we all do our part to get more use out of the clothes that we have. The tips I’m sharing down below will help you do just that.
It Benefits Your Wallet
Good quality clothing can get expensive. It’s nice to be able to save money when you can, especially in this economy. By finding new uses for your clothes and wearing what you already have, you are saving your money and making your wallet happy.
9 Tips To Wearing What You Already Own
After you read these tips you’ll be looking at your old clothes with excitement and wonder. There is no need to buy new items when you can do so much with what you already have.
Change Up The Look With Different Outfits
It’s easy to get caught up in pairing the same tops with the same bottoms once you find an outfit that works.
I challenge you to take a look at your clothes and come up with two other combinations for each piece. You just made a ton of new outfits without buying a thing.
Layer To Create New Looks
Another way to create multiple new outfits with your current clothes is by layering. You can take items like a basic t-shirt, crewneck or tank top and a cardigan to create layered looks that maybe you haven’t tried before.
If you need inspiration for learning how to layer your clothes, check out these tips.
Accessorize
Accessories can really level up an outfit. Take stock of your scarves, jewelry, and hats to determine what outfits could be paired with which pieces. Don’t be afraid to make a statement.
DIY To Create A New Purpose For Your Clothes
The next two tips are where we are really going to have fun. I’d recommend inviting your friends over and everyone do this together. It would make for a fun day. The first one is to find a new purpose for older clothes.
If you know that you are done wearing that shirt, or that pair of jeans, the way that they are, it's time to find a new use for it. Here are a few ideas to get started!
Upcycle an old t-shirt into a pair of shorts
Repurpose denim into patches to sew onto other clothing items
Embellish Old Clothes To Make Them New
This is my favorite tip for wearing what you already own. It’s time to do some embellishing. Bring on the patches, gems, and even the bleach. It’s time to get creative. By doing this tip your clothes will get a serious upgrade, and you’ll show off your personality. Here are a few ideas!
Embroider flowers or phrases on to old tees
Sew or iron on fun patches to your clothes
Tie dye old clothes to give them new colors
Mix Your Seasons
Before you pack away your winter clothes, maybe consider keeping some items out to create a look with mixed season apparel. This would work especially well if you live in a place like I do where you can experience two seasons in one day sometimes. Some items I’d recommend keeping out are cardigans, jean jackets, and scarves.
Do A Deep Dive Into Your Closet To Find Things You Hardly Wear
If you have a habit of wearing the same few things over and over again, I’m willing to bet you have some clothes in your closet that you have forgotten about. Take some time to go through your clothes and put the clothes you hardly wear in a more prominent space. You may discover a new favorite item.
Gamify Your Outfit Selection Process
This is an idea for those of you that are feeling bold and aren’t afraid to mix it up. If you’re feeling bored with your closet this is a great way to solve that problem. Write down all the clothes you own on strips of paper. Be sure to separate tops, bottoms, shoes, and accessories.
Put each pile of paper strips in a bowl or cup of some sort. When it comes time to pick out your outfit, pick out something from each pile and see what you get. Keep going until you come up with a combination that you like.
Swap Clothes With Friends For New Looks
If you truly want to wear something new-to-you you still can without spending money. Do a clothing swap with friends that are your size. This gives you a momentary new look without having to purchase anything new. You could even make it fun by picking out outfits for each other.
I hope this inspired you to take a better look at your current wardrobe. Which of these tips will you be implementing moving forward? Let me know in the comments.
Meet the Author
Kelly Clark is a freelance writer, who also runs her own blog Budding Joy.. When she’s not writing you can find her listening to music, reading, and diving into more sustainable living topics, especially surrounding self care and eco-conscious beauty. Learn more from Kelly on LinkedIn or Instagram.