5 Ways to Upgrade Your Wardrobe Without Spending a Fortune

Good Housekeeping

Rather than toss clothes that have become too tight, too loose, or too old, spruce up your old favorites with smart upgrades and a few sly supplies. You can tackle these fixes in an afternoon whether you're a craft queen or not, says designer Bridgett Artise, author of Born-Again Vintage: 25 Ways to Deconstruct, Reinvent, and Recycle Your Wardrobe.

Related: Swap Clothes with Your Stylish Friends!

1. De-Fuzz a Sweater
Remove pesky pills with the Evercare Small Fabric Shaver ($8), a GHRI-test winner. In a pinch, brush a dry scrub sponge like Scotch-Brite's over pills in one direction to gently pull them off (never use a razor).

2. Loosen Too-Skinny Jeans
Wash denims in cold water, then button them around a cutting board, a cookie sheet, or a chair top that's about an inch wider than the waistband. (Air-dry to prevent further shrinkage.)

Related: Find the Perfect Fitting Pants Every Time

3. Transform a Passé Pullover
Create a cute buttonless cardigan by cutting up the front from hem to collar. Hem the edges neatly with double-sided iron-on fusible tape (in fabric and craft stores). Wear it open or belted for the season's cinched look.

4. Expand Tight Shoes
Put leather shoes on over thick socks. Blast a hair dryer on tight areas, while flexing feet, until you feel some relief. Wear for a few days to maintain the shape. (This works for natural leathers, not synthetics like vinyl.)

5. Give an Old Tee New Life
Make a hip infinity scarf by cutting a favorite worn-out tee into six or eight strips. Pull hard to stretch them until the sides curl in and the strips are about twice as long as before. Tie with contrasting ribbon or a small strip from a sleeve.

-By Nina Malkin

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