Fast fashion sales are booming ahead of the long-awaited reopening of clubs and bars in the UK this July. Both Zara’s parent company and Boohoo have reported massive demand for clubbing outfits this May and June – blaming it on “post-lockdown shopping sprees”. With combined sales of over a billion, that’s a lot of new polyester.
But what if we told you you can keep up with this year’s fashion trends, without splashing out on all-new outfits? That’s right, it’s time to break out the scissors and sewing kit and get creative. Thanks to Boris, you’ve even got an extra month to get your sartorial Blue Peter on.
1. No-sew backless top
Nothing this easy should look this good. All you need is a sleeveless vest top, a long length of ribbon and some moderate flexibility. They can be in the same or contrasting colours: we went for a white and red combination, but use what you have lying around. Simply thread the ribbon through the neckline of the top, cross behind your back and then down the sides to tie at the back.
2. Crossover jeans
These skewed criss-cross jeans have been one of the most recognisable trends this year, guaranteed to make parents furrow their brows. But they are easy to recreate at home on a pair you already own. As a bonus, it’s a really easy way to make an oversized waist fit snugly. Simply buy cheap denim buttons, snap or sew them on to your jeans in the desired spot and rip out the zipper.
3. Knotted wraparound top
We had a mixed experience with this one, most likely because we got lazy and didn’t make the edges neat enough. If you’re more patient, this is both a fun one-hour project and a cute take on the ubiquitous wraparound tops all over the high street. To take it up a notch, try sewing the edges instead of knotting.
4. Tie dye everything
A primary school classic, tie dye is still having a moment in festival fashion. I won’t pretend to have attempted this myself, but check out this video to learn more. If you don’t want to use synthetic dyes, there’s plenty of plant-based ones you can make from items around the house. Did you know avocado pits create a pink colour? Mind blown. For yellow, try turmeric powder, and beetroot for a lovely red tone.
5. DIY cut-out tops
Tops and dresses with artfully-arranged holes are having a moment right now, and it’s not hard to see why: they’re a cute way to flash some unexpected flesh. But why buy new items that have been pre-snipped in a factory? Follow in the footsteps of punk icons through the ages and get creative with your scissors. Our top tip: it’s always better to start small and gradually enlarge holes once you’ve tried the item on. Use fabric scissors if you have them to avoid hacking and loose edges. But if you really mess up, that’s what safety pins were invented for. Go wild!
6. Natural flower dyeing
It’s so easy to get beautiful watercolour-like prints from simple wildflowers, as we found out from TikTok account hammerflowers. Select a few of your favourite blooms and arrange them on a light-coloured top. Fold the top over the flowers and bash it all over with a hammer or other heavy object (make sure it’s resting on a solid surface that won’t get damaged!). A great de-stresser if you ask me, and it turned out better than expected. Plus, it washes out so you can experiment with different flowers and arrangements. Although we don’t recommend testing it on your Sunday best…
7. Feather and fur trims
The 70s trend for fluffy collars and cuffs is back with a bang, and we love the glamorous vibe. This might require a trip to your nearest arts and crafts shop for some hot glue and feather trim – or you might have an old feather boa lying around waiting to be repurposed. It’s also a great way to use up scraps of fur from an old, ragged coat.