Ramblings on Reinvention

On Wednesday this week, two things came to my attention: the 20 year anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests in China and a website called Wardrobe Refashion. The first I heard discussed on the radio in the context of understanding history in order to create a better present, the other focused on repurposing gently-worn clothing for smaller wearers.

These topics are seemingly dissimilar, but both inspired me to consider the concept of “reinvention”. So much of what we encounter today is new, free of blemishes, history and a personal touch. When we reinvent a used clothing item – whether through repurposing, renovation, refashioning with embellishment, or simply rewearing it with new accessories – we bring these characteristics back into the mix.

When I was a kid, my mom used to make simple elastic-waist pants for me and my brothers out of the plaid polyester suits my dad no longer wore – imagine playing in thick polyester in the middle of a 100 degree Utah summer! When I turned 10, my mom taught me to sew, and I’ve been making unique clothing for myself, and fun gifts for others ever since.

Along the way, I discovered thrift stores and never re-worn clothes in family members’ closets. I loved the vintage styles, quality, and sewing techniques of earlier years, and found that these items could be gently coaxed back to life and integrated with my wardrobe – allowing a periodic reinvention of self, if you will, that is built on the style of those before me.

But, forgive my rambling, and let me get to the point: Finding ways to reinvent clothing is a creative, fun, and thrifty way to add unique and memorable items to your children’s closet. Here are some ideas to consider:

• Refashioned kids clothes: In an earlier post, I talked about ways to convert kids’ seasonal clothing so that winter clothing that’s getting a little short in the arms and legs can last your child throughout the summer.
• Repurposed kids clothes: Do you have old clothes in fun fabrics that you no longer wear? Try your hand at pint-sizing them. Make a skirt smaller, cut kids pant legs from old jeans, turn the sleeves of a fun sweater or tee into leggings and use the rest for girls tunic, etc.
• Renovated kids clothes: Extend the life of clothes your child already wears. Take clothes that still fit, but show a little wear, and then use patches, leg extenders, or other embellishments to add add a touch of fun.

Photo courtesy of Gaye Abandon Etsy shop.

• Recycled kids clothes: To me, recycling means breaking something down and using it in something new. Similar to repurposing, but different in that recycling gives you license to tear apart and recreate in wild abandon, patch-working together pieces from different items to create something new. There are some great examples out there – check out Etsy for ideas.

What other ways have you found to reinvent kids clothing? Do you have pictures you want to share with others – if so, send me a note with a URL to a photo of your creation and a brief description of how you made it. (If you don’t have a photo URL, let me know that to and I’ll let you know how to send a photo directly.)