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Updating Used Clothing

buttons Cutting back on your expenses can mean buying your clothing used or reusing what you already have. One of the issues with previously owned clothing is that it can sometimes be dated and old fashioned, or reflect a trend that has past. Whether you have outdated children’s clothing or adult clothing, you can turn it around and spare the expense. Here is how you can update those old styles.

Removal Method

Many older clothing styles, especially of the 70s and 80s, are defined by their accessories, sleeves, collars, etc. The basic part of the clothing often remains classic. For men’s pointy shirts, for example, if the quality is good (and it often is with used clothing, since it has survived time), the collar will be in two parts. Simply remove the outer collar, and you will be left with a “Chinese-style” collar.

If you have any of those designer jeans from the 70s that have embroidered pockets, or any item with outdated embroidery, simply pick it out from the reverse side of the item. You can do this while watching television or talking on the phone (with a headset). All it takes is either a needle or a small, sharp knife.
Take off fancy lace trim and collars and cuffs to make a basic dress that can go anywhere. You might be surprised by how a dress can be transformed by this method.

Do you have a sweater with some decorative buttons or beads that are half missing? Simply remove all of the other buttons or beads. Remove other forms of outdated trim, such as sequins, ribbon or rick rack.
Suede jackets with leather fringe are a sure sign of a past fashion. Simply cut off the fridge, and you might find that the jacket looks current.

For puff sleeves, try cutting them off of a shirt and see if the shirt looks good with just the remaining straps. Or cut the whole part of the sleeves and collar off and make spaghetti straps for a summer shirt or dress.

Try experimenting. You never know what new thing you might discover.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. Starting June 1st, don’t miss her articles in the Baby Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.

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About Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, online content manager, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania in the middle of the woods but close enough to Target and Home Depot. The author of many magazine, newspaper and online articles, Mary Ann enjoys writing about almost any subject. "Writing gives me the opportunity to both learn interesting information, and to interact with wonderful people." Mary Ann has written more than 5,000 blogs for Families.com since she started back in December 2006. Contact her at maromans AT verizon.net or visit her personal blog http://homeinawoods.wordpress.com