The theory of ‘buy once, buy well’ definitely makes a valid case for having fewer garments of better quality in your wardrobe.  Yet most of us are attracted to the constant stimulation of variety and change, so it is easy to understand why cheaper fast fashion options are popular.

Upcycling existing clothing is a way of enabling a near endless array of unique choice and difference, at little financial and environmental cost. Certainly there is a time cost – that is offset with satisfaction of mindful creativity and empowerment from originality.

I love this Sunday Mail quote from fashion authority and author Marion von Adlerstein: “I don’t think great style belongs exclusively to fashion people or arty types; anyone can tap into it with a bit of thought. It’s about creating the best version of yourself you can be.” In other words, give it your best shot. 

Sew 119 is two op-shop finds, being a brown wool jumper and a brown and turquoise men’s patchwork skirt including an interesting batik pattern. Two winters ago I’d added coconut shell buttons to the jumper and it’s now undergone a second upcycle as I’ve cut away the tight polo-neck and mended two small holes in the sleeve before covering with more buttons. I just zigzagged the cut neck edge twice and it could be neatened further with blanket-stitch finish or hand-hemmed. I turned the shirt upside down and put elastic through the waist, I then cut off the collar, cut the shirt across the shoulders and sleeves, reapplied the collar to the front and neatened the new hemline. Colourful, original and endlessly adaptable in future.