




Have you ever thought it would be good to be able to change (or upstyle) some of your clothes and accessories, particularly the ones you don’t wear or feel are just a bit wrong?
In our video today Jill Chivers of 16 Style Types shares her tips and some ideas on just a few of the things you can do when upstyling.
What have you upstyled? Share a pic on twitter (@imogenlamport #upstyle) or facebook on my page as I know many would love the inspiration!







I took an old jean jacket I rarely wore anymore and I dyed it a really nice pumpkin-y color (RIT dye Tangerine). It came out great and I look fantastic in it, it’s now become one of my favorite items in my wardrobe.
I have been fascinated by some of the “galaxy” stuff I’ve seen online and in stores but no way I want to pay the price tag! So I took an old thrift store purple blazer that didn’t look that great on me and purchased a bunch of fabric paint to make my own galaxy jacket at a fraction of the cost!
I’ve worn it twice so far and recieved several compliments. My mom liked it so much she wants me to make her one too.
Amanda – can you share your galaxy stuff with us? A pic on my facebook page?
Sure. I tried to take a picture of it in my bedroom but it’s BAD lighting in there, you can’t make out the details on the back, it looks like a dark blob. It’s supposed to be nice out this weekend so I’ll take it outside and I should get a better shot that way.
The video ended in the middle of her speaking, bugger!
I’ve been doing stuff like this since I was 16 and I’m 39 in May. My mum made and remade a lot of her stuff when she was young and so she taught me.
At 16 I was buying Goodwill and Salvos denim jackets, dying them, sewing on ribbons, patches and fringe and attaching my vast array of funky 80s brooches.
I’ve also taken short dresses and made long tops, turning the left over material into matching scarves.
As a jewellery designer I’ve bought and remade many pieces as beads discolour and things fall apart. Many times I’ve made new jewellery out of many other pieces and I still do it.
I’ve even cut the funky print off the front of tshirts or tank tops and sewn them onto new ones.
Since I’ve been doing it for years, and our forebears were doing it for years, when did it become known as upstyling? For me it’s always been recycling, renewing or remaking.
I’ve fixed the video – thanks for pointing it out – didn’t upload properly – you can watch the whole thing now!
Wow, that was very inspiring! Gonna have a look at my “not-so-good” -clothes and accessories and find out if I could do something to them to make them more me. Thanks!