Strip down. Reinvent. Transform! Here's me offering you some tips on how you can recycle your old clothes into something contemporary and chic to don a sexy new designer look!!!
Racer back chic
Have too many old T-shirts that you just can’t throw away? Grab a pair of scissors and simply cut off the sleeves and the round neck. Voila! You’ve got yourself a racer back tee. Now to embellish, cut the neck a wee bit deeper, get some funky colored shoe laces, make holes around the front of the low cut (just like a shoe...) and pass them through. Complete the look with some funky bangles preferably multi colors (ma choice :P).
Clubwear goes desi
Got some of those comfy sequined kurtis but too bored to wear them? Get your tailor to stitch you some stylish halters out of them, that you can wear on your night out (this works best if the material of your kurta is silk), or then, something more casual like a loose fitting singlet to beat the summer heat (if the material of your kurta is cotton, that is).
Experimenting with salwars
It can be a tad bit difficult to re-use traditional garments. But since world fashion made way for Harem and Jasmine pants, make sure you don’t throw away those salwars. Get yourself some fancy borders that contrast the colours of the salwar and stitch them to the bottom of the pants (around the ankle). If you can get elastic beaded underneath here, nothing like it! Team them with a basic vest and some chunky jewellery around your neck. For a dressy look, you can team it up with a camisole top or tailored jacket. Whatever you choose, ensure it is well fitted to balance out the loose salwar look. When thinking of footwear with this ensemble, always wear trendy heels. This will give you the required added height and will also slim down the legs. On the other hand, flat shoes will deaden the salwars’ fluffy look.
The multi faceted dupatta:
There is so much you can do with those pretty dupattas. Cut the soft cotton printed variety and re-stitch into a stole that you can wear with denims and a vest. If you’re toying with silk dupattas, throw on some gold/silver sequins for the dressy quotient and use it as a scarf to add some character to your formal dressing. You can also use a flowy silk dupatta as a wrap around skirt. Tie it in style and dress it up with gladiator shoes and a well fitted top. Just ensure that the fabrics design is not so symmetrical and allows you to use it as a skirt. A lovely short dress can also be crafted out of the same.
The Zari story
Remember how you borrowed your mum’s saree, promised not to tear it but ended up doing so anyway? Well now it’s time to rejoice! For now you can put it to much better use. To get started, neatly cut the Zari border along the side and use it to embellish one of your plain, boring skirts. Get a traditional outfit such as a kurta or a kurti made from the remaining saree. If you’re feeling very daring, you can even stitch a nice dress from the same!! Cool ain't it???
Denim blues
What do you do with an old comfortable pair of denims that are so hard to throw away? Pull them out, grab a pair of scissors and simply cut them to any length you want. You can make them into shorts or ankle-length pants. To add more colour to your old blues, find some colourful fabric and replace the pockets or get your friends to do some graffiti on it for that ‘yo’ girl look!!!
