Before you head to the mall for that new summer trend, take a second look at the back of your closet. You may not wear those forgotten duds now, but a few simple modifications could keep them from going to waste and give you that fresh summer look you crave.
For all the inspiration you need to get started, here are 10 creative DIY ideas to help you save money, reduce clothing waste, and stay in style all summer.
1. Baggy tee to swimsuit cover-up
We all have a few T-shirts in the closet that just don’t fit. But more often than not, all it takes is a pair of scissors and some patience to give them a new lease on life.
For this project, blogger Laura Doty will show you how to rescue one of your baggy, rarely-worn tees to create this cute side-tie cover-up that’s perfect for beach days.
Get step-by-step instructions on how to make one yourself at Creating Laura.
2. Inked denim shorts
Make that pair of shorts you rarely wear seem brand new again with a few coats of paint and a free afternoon.
Don’t stress if your artistic skills leave a bit to be desired. You’ll be creating your pattern with painter’s tape, making it virtually goof-proof for all skill sets.
Get step-by-step instructions on how to make this yourself at DIY Raven.
3. Lengthen shrunken skirts with lace
Summer is the season for skirts and sundresses, but most of us have at least one in the closet that fell victim to dryer shrinkage and is now a bit, ahem, inappropriate for public wear.
With this creative project from Alyssa of Elemental Carbon, you can let your shrunken skirts see the light of day again while keeping your modesty intact.
Head to Elemental Carbon for step-by-step instructions that will help you reclaim those fallen fashions in a snap. The same method could be used on shorts, and it’s also a great idea for growing kids. The possibilities are endless!
4. Rescue scuffed shoes with paint
Looking to rescue a pair of flats that had seen better days, blogger Sarah Zisa of While They Snooze got crafty with some acrylic paint for a brand new look.
We love this neon paint for summer, but the ultimate color choice is up to you and your shoe!
Get step-by-step instructions on how to do it yourself at While They Snooze.
5. Spice up a boring tee with potatoes
Plain white tees always seem to go unworn. But thanks to this creative project from Kelly Lanza of Studio DIY, you can change all that with a touch of paint and another unlikely household material – potatoes.
In a few simple steps, Lanza will show you how to use potato printing to make this cool DIY “confetti shirt” that’s perfect for those summer barbecues.
Find out how to make one yourself at Studio DIY.
6. Create a monokini from a bikini
Monokinis are all the rage right now, but that doesn’t mean you have to buy new to rock one on your next beach trip. If you’re handy with a sewing machine, just grab last season’s bikini from the back of your closet and get to work.
Lisa of Creative Fashion Blog offers step-by-step instructions that will help an able sewer transform that old suit into something with pizzazz. Summer, here you come!
7. Turn two T-shirts into a dress
Believe it or not, this cute DIY summer dress is actually made from two T-shirts, and the process is way easier than it looks.
All you’ll need is some basic sewing skills and this step-by-step tutorial from Cathy of Trinkets in Bloom to get the job done.
8. Worn-out leggings to bandeau top
Earlier this year, Skunkboy blogger Katie Shelton was in a scramble to find a bandeau top to wear under her dress and “prevent an inevitable wardrobe malfunction.” Despite loads of searching her home, she couldn’t seem to find one.
Not one to be dissuaded, the crafty blogger rescued a pair of unwanted leggings from the bottom of a drawer and made one instead. These nifty tops are also great for adding visual interest under a solid-colored tank. Stylish and sustainable!
Get step-by-step instructions on how to do this with all of your old leggings at Skunkboy.
9. Dip-dye tribal shorts from old jeans
Tribal prints are everywhere this summer, but they can often cost big bucks at trendy retail stores. Luckily, you can get the look for less with a free afternoon and an unwanted pair of jeans.
Get step-by-step instructions on how to make it yourself at Prudence & Austere.
10. T-shirt to racerback tank
Upcycling old graphic T-shirts can be a bit of a head-scratcher (think: band tees from college or that freebie from the office volunteer day).
Don’t despair, reuse-lover. This nifty DIY project will help you make those logos disappear and leave you with a racerback tank that’s made for summer. Mission accomplished!
Get step-by-step instructions on how to try this on your old tees at Kitchen Table Scraps.
Originally published on July 23, 2013, this article was updated in August 2020.