photo via sweet sassafras

One of the most environmentally friendly, money-saving ways to clothes shop is to go to thrift shops. Some people are experts at thrifting, and come away with mounds and mounds of beautiful, strange, colorful old clothes that they recombine in interesting ways and then wear the hell out of, looking unique and interesting and stylish and way cooler than just about everyone else around them.

Some people (such as, say, me) go in looking for very specific items (such as, say, a black cardigan) and come away sad because the only items they found were tragic in ways that seem impossible to fix--too long, too boxy, too baggy. But some of those magic thrifters have ideas and tips that can help the less magical thrifters fix those kinds of problems, making finds not only flattering, but funky too. Check out Sweet Sassafras's tutorial on how to alter a wool sweater, how Blissed Out turned a grandma sweater into a very cool little cardigan, and (Into) the Fray modified the neckline of a T-shirt, making it completely adorable. Then go look at your closet (and the Goodwill) and be filled with inspiration and creativity.

What I really love about this idea is that you can break out that awful spiral where ill-fitting pieces can make you feel like it's your body that's broken. You're making your clothes conform to you, your body, your shape, your life. I think that's old-fashioned empowerment, right there, and I approve.