Is quarantine not only putting you, but your shopping habits on lockdown as well? Yeah, same. Are you trying to save a dollar or two instead of buying every new summer release that catches your eye? Yeah, same. Are you getting tired of having to do that? Yeah, same. That’s why I figured it was time to get Kianna in here.

Our lovely 2020/2021 Head of Independent Design, Kianna Lavigne, is here with all her many tips and tricks on how to revamp your quarantine wardrobe for the summer, even while on a budget!

Kianna Lavigne // Head of Independent Design

“Spring 2020 fashion trends are all about the combination of colors and fabrics. Spring and summer time are two of my personal favorite fashion seasons because they permit you to keep some of the heavier winter fabrics in your closet while introducing some of your lightweight summer clothes!”

Spring-into Summer 2020 Fashion Must-Knows:

Colors & Prints In Season:

Pastels, pink & blue combo, light washed jeans, ~animal~ prints, bright colors, repeating prints (e.g. polka-dots, fine lines, floral), 60s-70s ~vintage~ prints.

Fabrics In Season:

Corduroy, jean, satin/silk, lace trims, textured fabrics (e.g. raffia, fringe, , colored leather, knits/crochets and nets (dresses, shirts).

Best Seasonal Fashion trends:

Tube tops (yes they are STILL in style – but can you blame them?), knee-high or long skirts, ties, “short-shorts”, ruffles and A-line cuts, coordinated cardigan sets, bras “as” tops, ~leisure wear~ with hints of “street-wear” (e.g. tie-dye phenomenon also done by Versace, champion, J.Crew, Levi’s, Russell Athletic, John Eliott, Urban Outfitters, Nordstrom, & Citizen).

Sources:

Elle, Harper BAZAAR, WHO WHAT WEAR blog, Vogue Magazine & InStyle

While keeping these trends in mind, I will show you how you can revamp your closet quarantine style with minimal cash!

Being a student and always on a budget myself, I buy most of my clothes, fabrics and materials for a bargain! Often I go to stores and search the sale racks for clothes slightly too big (or I buy them if their fabric is gorgeous haha). By doing this, I am able to alter the clothing to make them fit me better/ make them fashionable again!

In this article, I will show you two easy hemming techniques you can apply to your own clothing!

1. HOW TO DO A BASIC HEM

There you have it! That’s how I cropped the white blouse my friend Emma is wearing. I also changed the buttons on the blouse to make it ~fresh~ again.

I made very similar alterations to the top seen in the final image. I hemmed it and changed the buttons. Paired with a light purple coloured faux-leather jacket and satin shorts, Emma is ready for a rainy spring day!

2. HOW TO COVER A HEM

Instead of using bias tape like the demonstration picture, I used ribbon to cover the bottom hem and the sleeves hem of this old sweater. Emma is wearing it with white jean shorts, this sweater would also go great with a pair of white cargo pants or white cutoffs!

I made similar alterations to the salmon pink sweater Emma is wearing. However, I kept the original hem and stitched it to the new length sweater! Easy as that.

Now that you know how to do a basic hem (that you can even cover!!), you can easily revamp old items in your closet by giving them a little love. Sewing can be quite time consuming and, at times, frustrating – but very worth it in the end. Customizing your closet for clothes to fit and look better on your body is easily learnt and should be an essential for all fashion lovers! A small bit of who you are is in every piece of clothing you wear, and even more so when you were involved in a part of its creation.

I encourage you to try out any of these techniques and challenge yourself! Please feel free to touch base with me on Instagram (@_kilavigne) and/or through email at deisgn.vcfs@gmail.com. I hope you’ve enjoyed the article!

Check out more of Kianna’s incredible creations via her Instagram page mentioned above! Oh, and don’t forget to come see the 24th annual Vogue Charity Fashion Show where Kianna will lead the way in all things fashion and design.

Mikayla Bergamin // Press and Media Editor

Featuring Kianna Lavigne // Head of Independent Design

Designer On A Dime: Featuring Kianna Lavigne