It’s been 2 to 3 years since I’ve purchased any new spring or summer clothing for myself as I was pregnant last year, and apparently not in the mood for shopping the year before that.
So now that Spring is officially here (based on the calendar, not the chilly weather here in MI) I figured it was time to go through my closet to see what will work for the warmer weather that I hope will show up sooner than later.
I purged two bags of clothing I knew I wouldn’t wear, and then headed to one of our local thrift stores on a BOGO clothing day (with an additional $5 off coupon).
I was thrilled to find several “new” items for myself — everything in the photo below was purchased for $14!! Can you tell what colors I wear!?! It’s all part of my efforts to reduce decision fatigue as I blogged about yesterday!
I also altered a bunch of the clothing in my closet to make it work for me now — based on the fact that I’m no longer pregnant (yay!), I’ve lost a few extra pounds (double yay!), and styles have changed quite a bit in the last 2 to 3 years.
- I hemmed a few skirts and dresses that weren’t really long enough to be true maxi skirts and made them shorter dresses and skirts that I feel are cute.
- I made a few long sleeve shirts into short sleeve shirts because I didn’t like the cuffs of the long sleeve shirts
- I reworked a couple of my most favorite maternity shirts so they would fit me now (and NOT look like maternity shirts!)
- I slimmed down 2 pairs of flare yoga pants into capri yoga leggings
- I turned 2 pairs of boot cut jeans into Bermuda shorts
- I turned 2 pairs of straight leg pants into capris
- I cut off the cuffs and the hood of one of my well-loved sweatshirts (I’ve had it since college) for a different look.
- I cut off the bottom of a sweatshirt dress and cut the sleeves to be 3/4 length (it was way too short for me to actually wear it as a dress, but too long for a shirt)
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As I was cutting up my sweatshirts, I thought — these are SUCH simple projects that anyone could do (as long as you can use a scissors!)
There is absolutely NO sewing required, and with a few quick snips, you can give almost any sweatshirt a brand new look.
I’ve cut up several of my older sweatshirts — sometimes, I even seek out “new” sweatshirts from thrift stores, just so I can cup them up and make them look different once I get home! I almost always get questions and compliments when I wear my updated sweatshirts out and about.
The ideas I’m sharing in today’s post are ultra-simple and require no sewing, as sweatshirt fabric won’t fray. However, if you’re feeling extra creative, there are so many fun ways you can alter a sweatshirt — just do a quick Pinterest search!
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How to Instantly Update a Sweatshirt (no sewing required)…
Step 1: Cut a V-slit in the neckline.
Step 2: Cut the cuffs off and roll up the sleeves a bit.
DONE!!
It’s so much cuter and more tailored-looking than a traditional sweatshirt… but just as comfy!
As I mentioned above, you can also try cutting the bottom off of a longer sweatshirt. The bottom will naturally roll up giving you a much different look for about 2 minutes of work!
And if you want a bigger neckline, you could cut the entire hood and/or collar off the sweatshirt — you could even make it an off-the-shoulder- sweatshirt!
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These cute, updated sweatshirts are perfect for pairing with capris or shorts on a cool spring or summer day — they look just as cute with a colorful scarf and a fun bag as they do with a bright tank top and yoga pants.
If you totally mess up and hate the finished look, just cut the sleeves totally off and give it to your children or grandchildren to used for dressup!
I’m so excited for my new-to-me, updated spring wardrobe.
I feel like I basically have a closet full of new clothing for less than $15, thanks to my thrift store finds, my self-altered clothing, and my updated sweatshirts!
Michele says
Great tips! I have a sweatshirt hoodie dress that I love but the sleeve cuffs are WAY to tight so this was a perfect article to find (and reassure me that it won’t fray/ruin the sleeves if I cut them)
Andrea says
yay — hope you can get some new life out of your sweatshirt dress (also, I think I need to find a sweatshirt dress — it sounds amazing!)
Barbara white says
Great ideas
Nicki says
Hi Andrea! I love receiving your emails, but I admit, I’ve never really poked around on your site until this morning when I had a few extra minutes. So glad I came across this article! I would never have thought to cut the hood off of a sweatshirt before. I have a few old hoodies in a stack in my closet that I never wear because I feel like I’m being strangled by the too tight neck hole. What a great idea! Thanks so much for sharing!
Andrea says
yay – -thanks for letting me know, Nicki! I’m thrilled you’ve enjoyed the newsletter — and yay for giving new life to some sweatshirts!
Susan Graham says
I have a new sweatshirt and I want the bottom to be straight, no hem. Can I just cut off the 2.5 inches of the bottom of the sweatshirt and it will lay flat and straight? (I also plan to do the v cut in the neckline like you!)
Andrea says
Hi Susan,
Yes, the sweatshirt SHOULD lay flat and won’t unravel if you simply cut off the bottom. I’ve had great luck with all of my sweatshirts, but if yours is a strange material (other than cotton) it might have different results.
Good luck!
Janie says
Absolutely LOVE the updated sweatshirt fashions! I while back I bought a few Men’s Medium so I can have extra length in torso and sleeves but the necklines are so strangling! How to guys get their BIG HEADS through that?? Going to get my scissors out today. Thank you so much. Love the modeled finished samples!
Andrea says
you’re welcome, Janie!
Yes, cut up those necklines — we do that for so many sweatshirts around here. I feel like either our family has big heads or manufacturers just make really small neck holes!
Cheryl says
You stated in the article you could cut the hood off but you did not give directions on how to do that I’m trying to figure that out before I ruin a $50 sweatshirt.
Andrea says
Hi Cheryl,
There really aren’t any “instructions” to cut the hood off — it just depends on whatever look you’re going for (and what type of sweatshirt you’re starting with). For example, if you want a wide neck (like off the shoulder) then cut the neck all the way to the shoulder seam. But if you just want a crew neck, then cut as close to the hood seam as you can.
Also, for the record, I did all my “alterations” with thrift store sweatshirts (usually purchased on “dollar day”). I probably wouldn’t cut up a $50 shirt if it’s something you currently like wearing and you’re legitimately worried about ruining. I’ve also never had a $50 sweatshirt, so I don’t have that perspective — LOL ☺️.
Sorry I don’t have detailed instructions!
Elbert Neesmith says
I agree with you
Pat says
I have those almost exact yoga pants, except size 20 and yes I have done many hours of yoga. It ain’t pretty but it’s good for me. Anyway I’m tired of them and I think I’ll borrow your idea. Capris are my favorite summer pants!
Charlene Uchtman says
Nice! My granddaughters would wear the cut off pieces as head bands and wrist bands.
Suzanne Harkness-Woo says
I’m curious about the yoga pants – when you cut the sides and re-stitched them, did you use just a straight stitch all the way down, even at the hem? Any trouble with runs or unravelling?
Andrea says
I sew first, then cut — it’s easier for me that way. I always cut off the hem and resew it once the sides are sewn — worked just fine for me and no unravelling.
Rhonda says
I did this on a few shirts that I haven’t worn in a long time! One is sweatshirt material, like yours – too long to be a shirt, too short to be a dress – now I’m wearing it again after a simple makeover. Thanks for the ideas!
Andrea says
yay — glad my tips worked for you!!!
Trina says
Andrea – that dress you scored is uber cute! I love that you’ve chosen a color palette with neutrals. I’m headed that direction myself.
Thanks for sharing your life and tips with this blog. I’ve been reading for years and never fail to find inspiration. I’ve incorporated some of your “systems” into my household. Also love that you keep it real. I love me a good Pinterest or IG session, but while that’s inspiring, it’s often not realistic or sustainable.
Glad you and the black g aren’t going anywhere for a while!
Trina
Trina says
Oops! That was supposed to say glad you and the blog aren’t going anwhere for a while. Darn auto correct!
Evie says
I bought some Hanes sleep shirts a couple years ago, not for sleeping, but just to wear around the house. I felt too restricted by the neck bands, so right away I cut a U shaped neckline on each one. First I cut off the neck bands, and then, starting at the shoulder seams, I traced around a lunch sized plate so the U would be just as deep as the one on my favorite U-neck tee shirt. I cut the U out, reinforced the shoulder seams with a quick couple of stitches with a needle and thread, and have been so comfy in those sleep shirts ever since! These shirts are just tee shirt material (not sweatshirt material), but they have never frayed. Now you have me eyeing my old sweatshirt, Andrea! 🙂
Turner says
These ideas are so great! Now to find an old sweatshirt…
Susanne says
I am feeling a big closet purge coming up! Thanks for the tips for “updating” some of my things before I toss them completely.
Melissa D. says
I’d love to know your process for slimming down flare yoga pants into capri yoga leggings!
Andrea says
I sort of showed it in the pictures — I just turn everything inside out, put the leggings over yoga pants, and pin where the seam and hem are. Then I sew, cut, turn right-side out again.
Michelle says
I am just curious…since I despise shopping for clothes, and I have a few of these pieces in my closet–just waiting to be purged, do you feel these altered pieces are appropriate for going out and about in public? Or more for around the house and to do yard work in?
I already have a few I’ve been thinking about altering to keep in the camping box since I know I don’t have to look my best when we camp, but I’m just not sure about everyday wear.
Thanks, Andrea.
Andrea says
haha — you tell me! you saw the pictures!
I go anywhere in these sweatshirts and was under the impressions that they looked OK 🙂
The grubby sweatshirt with the pocket in the front is more for yard work, but the others I wear all the time with cute pants, a scarf, and assume I look just fine… but I am definitely not a fashionista! 🙂
Kate says
Very cute new purchases! I am hoping for an updated “mix n match wardrobe” post!
Andrea says
thanks Kate 🙂
I really should do another mix and match post — it was a lot of work though and I’m so NOT a fashion guru in any way!!
Lynn says
I love this idea Andrea! For some reason, at my age, I cannot stand anything tight around my neck and this is perfect for some of the sweatshirts I have! I will do this tonight.
Thanks again!
Lynn
Andrea says
my mom says the same thing — she doesn’t see how I can wear scarves 🙂
yes, try cutting the hood and neckline a bit — it might be just what you like!
Lynn says
Yes! I had to reply again, because I did this to my sweatshirts and LOVE them! My sister is doing them now too! 🙂 I have some inexpensive string strapped cami tops and I put one under my sweatshirts that are shorter and it looks so cute! Of course I match up the colors! 🙂 Thanks again!
Andrea says
yay!! Glad you liked how they turned out. I’m loving all my updated sweatshirts!
Lynn says
I had to share our post with you. I referred directly back to this post of yours and added the tanks underneath!
https://fulltimefulllife.com/how-to-update-your-sweatshirt/
I hope you like it!
Thanks again!
Andrea says
Thanks Lynn — looks great!
Anne says
I love these ideas! Definitely want to try the sweatshirt trick.
Cara says
Great finds and awesome ideas on how to alter clothes! What thrift store do you shop at?
Andrea says
we like the ones that are pretty local to us (not chains). Our favorite 2 are Love Inc and Revive — but that probably doesn’t make any sense to you unless you live in our area 🙂