How to Makeover an Old Dress and Give It Style

If you’re like most women, you probably have some dresses in your closet that you no longer wear but can’t bear to part with. Sometimes a much loved dress can look dated after several years of wear. Before you put it into the thrift shop box to donate, why not do a dress makeover? There are a variety of ways to take a tired looking, slightly outdated dress and give it a new look. Here are some ideas:

Alter the length

Sometimes all it takes to give an old dress a more stylish look is to alter the length. A length that looks good one season can look outdated the next. Plus, your figure changes over time which may require that you adapt the length of your dresses to make them more flattering. Since you may be working with a limited hemline, you’ll have more latitude to shorten a dress as opposed to lengthening it. Sometimes shortening a dress an inch or two is all it takes to give it new life.

Wear it as a long top

A long slim dress worn over a pair of sleek dress pants or even jeans is quite fashionable. Try pairing a sleeveless dress with a pair of knit pants and sandals for a summertime evening look. This look is so much more comfortable than wearing a simple dress and you have the versatility of being able to change the look by altering your choice of pants.

Add an artsy belt

Another way to makeover an old dress is to team it with an artsy belt. Forget standard belts and go for something more striking and original. An interesting belt will add definition to your waist and can become the centerpiece of your outfit, creating an entirely new look for a dated dress. Next time you go boutique shopping, take along a dress you no longer wear and spend a little time trying different belts with it. You may find a simple belt that gives that dress relegated to the back of your closet a whole new fashion life.

Use it as household decor

If you have an old dress that has sentimental value to you but you no longer wear, consider using the material to make a pillow or other household article. If you enjoy decorating with an upbeat, humorous theme, a dress mounted on the wall can serve as unusual home décor.

Put a sweater over it

Another way to give a dress a new look is to wear a long sweater over it. The bottom half of the dress will be the only part that shows and it will give the look of a sweater and skirt. Put on some boots and you have a stylish outfit for a day of shopping.

Now that you know how to make them over, hang on to those old dresses and use them as inspiration for entirely new looks.