Summer time is practically here, which means it is time for a wardrobe update. This often means spending some money to keep your style up to date. However, summer fashions give you the most wriggle room when it comes to your style. There are some looks that won’t cost you a penny, which will make you the most fashion savvy of all of your friends. If you’re in a bind for clothes this summer, you may want to check out these ten tips. Your friends will certainly be asking you for fashion tips that won’t cost them an arm and a leg too.
1. Cut off Shorts
If there is one thing you probably have plenty of in your closet it is pants. These can last you a while, but sometimes they just become too old to look nice anymore. This makes them perfect for summer time fun. All you have to do is give them a quick snip and you have a great pair of shorts that will keep you fashionable and cool. You don’t have to just stop at cutting off your shorts. If you don’t like a distressed look then consider adding a hem to the bottoms for a professional look you will adore. Apart from that, you can always add rhinestones and other items to spice up the shorts. Fabric paint is also another fun option that will show off your originality. With all of the shorts you make for the summer, you shouldn’t have to buy a single pair until they wind up on the clearance rack.
2. DIY Coverup
A day at the beach can lead to a major sunburn if you don’t have a coverup to wear when you’re out of the water. Of course, you may just love the style of a coverup. Luckily, you can easily make one in a wide assortment of fashions. One such way is to use a baggy t-shirt. If you don’t have one in your closet then head to your local thrift store and see if you can find something cool to use. Once you’ve done this, cut the tank into a cute tank top. You can even add a tie to the waist line to make it even more flattering. This is only one option though. There are plenty of tutorials online because DIY coverups are certainly in style this year.
3. Crop It
T-shirts are another common item in the wardrobe. These can be turned into a wide variety of fashions too. First of all, long sleeve shirts can always be transformed into short sleeve tops with just a few clips and a hem line. Another option is to cut off the bottom of an old t-shirt. This creates a crop top that will allow your belly to get a little sun. The neckline may need adjusted to suit the new look, but this is as easy as cutting it into the shape you desire. You can work with other tops too, so follow your fashion instincts to see what you come up with. You might want to practice on clothes you’re okay with losing though, just in case you need a few practice runs.
4. Add Flair
If you’re struggling with a boring wardrobe, then there is also an easy fix for this. All you have to do is go to your local hobby shop and grab some cheap rhinestones, appliques beads or anything that shows off your personality. Then, grab a cheap pair of flip flops, sunglasses, or clothing. One you’ve picked what you’re going to work on, start gluing or pressing the items onto your piece of clothing or accessory. Before you know it, you’ll have a one of a kind piece that is sure to make your friends a little jealous. You might also want to invest in some paint to help spice up the items you plan on wearing. This is sure to give you something fun to do during your summer down time, while offering you a cool new look.
5. T-shirt Tote
Dealing with the summer without a cool bag to show off can really make people question your summer time fashion sense. Luckily, you can make a cool bag in just a few simple steps. First, you’ll need to choose a t-shirt that looks cool, but you no longer want to wear. Then you do a few simple cuts and ties and you have a tote that is big enough and strong enough for all of your pool or beachside supplies. There are a lot of tutorials online that will allow you to choose the style of bag that you want. You may want to hang onto the tutorial so you can create a cool new bag for school when it begins again.
6. DIY Tanks
Tank tops are pretty much a must when the heat gets to be too much. You can wear them over bathing suits or as is to keep your body cool and fashionable. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to buy a tank top though, especially since a lot of tank tops are over priced for what they are. One easy way to make your own tank top is to grab an old baggy t-shirt. If you don’t have one lying around the house then find one at your local thrift store. You never know the cool designs that you can find there too, which might be perfect tank top material. When you have your shirt, cut deep holes where the arms were, then work to alter the neckline to suit your desires. If you’re having trouble then check out a tutorial. You might even get adventurous and cut the back to show off some skin or to make your creation even more fashion savvy.
7. Utilize Bathing Suit
Your bathing suit can actually be one of the best go to items when it comes to summer fashion. A one-piece bathing suit can easily be used as a body suit and paired with your favorite pair of shorts. This will not only keep you cool all day, but will help you stay comfortable. Not to mention, you can go for a swim whenever the mood arises. If you love to show some skin then you can enjoy a barbeque or summer gathering with a bikini top and a pair of shorts. Bikini tops also make colorful additions to your favorite tank tops and will keep you cooler than wearing a typical bra.
8. DIY Henna
Accessories can be everything when it comes to summer fashion. Since you’re showing more skin and want to stay cooler, you may want to consider something that doesn’t require you to wear more. That is, henna. You can find really cool henna designs in shops or the mall. These usually last some time too, so you can feel free to go swimming and everything else with your new ink. Of course, if you want to save some money on this then you can make your own ink. You can even download templates that will make creating the designs easy. Keep in mind that henna stays on the skin for a little while though, so you might want to practice before you go head first into using the ink on yourself or others.
9. Hair accessories
If you have long hair in the summer time then you probably know how important it is to keep it up. Luckily, there’s a lot of great ways you can transform your hair without spending money on accessories and other items. For starters, you can take an old bathing suit and cut it up into little ties. This will give you a way to tie up your hair that also offers a little stretch. Old t-shirts can also be cut up to make fun hair ties that will allow you to try a wide assortment of styles during the hot months. You can turn an old t-shirt into a head band or sweatband to make life a little easier in the hot sun. Finally, if you already have hard headbands around the house then they can be spiced up with these items or you can use rhinestones or other accessories for a little extra flair.
10. Recycled Flip Flops
Most people can’t live without flip flops during the hot summer months. However, most of the time you can’t find these items at a fair price. If you want to wear a more stylish flip flop then you can wind up spending as much as you would on a pair of sneakers. Luckily, there’s several tutorials that can help you make your own flip flops. Even if you don’t DIY the full shoe, you can find ways to add to the style of any flip flop you desire. This is especially great if you have a lot of broken flip flops lying around the house that need to be fixed up.
Summer time is one of the best times to show off your creativity. These ten ideas won’t just allow you to have a good time, but will also help you to look good when you don’t have the budget to update your style. With any luck, you will get through the summer without spending a cent on a new piece of clothing.
