Pro tip: blankets and towels that are too deterioted for the thrift store can be donated to your local animal shelter🐱🐶! The pets are always in want of some makeshift bedding :>
Great tip as long as they are also in a decent condition and have been cleaned. I work for an animal sanctuary and we often received items that are already ripped or haven't been washed and they get thrown out. A lot of people just say "oh well it's better than sleeping on nothing though" and nothing angers us more at work 😪
It can be useful to keep old towels for yourself for use in cleaning, or if you need to temporarily care for an animal. For example in the UK if you find a hedgehog who is injured, obviously ill, or too small to hybernate, old towels are very useful for for keeping them safe and comfortable until you can bring them to a local rehabber.
An old sweater that is too stained, holey, or Christmas ugly to donate makes a great pet sweater with just a little bit of simple alteration. We have an old tabby who loves the extra warmth.
Forget black and white advice, Leena is always gracefully swimming around in the conversational grey areas. I think her magically colorful outfits give her that superpower.
As someone who works in a charity shop, thank you for being so considerate of our time, it's greatly appreciated! Also if you aren't able to upcycle/dispose of your damaged old clothes yourself you can still take it to a charity shop labelled as rags or just tell them it's rags, and it can go straight to the fabric recycling pile without needing to be sorted. Upcycling to extend it's life as far as possible is preferable of course but if that's not an option for you this would be better than just binning it!
Wow I didn't know I could do this! I often have rag offcuts and I've gone beyond the point of being able to use every little scrap I have in my sewing room. I'd resigned myself to the thought of it going to landfill, but they can recycle it? That's awesome!
@katemuller8012 can you take old pants and socks to be recycled too? I currently have a bag of them, but not sure if they’re appropriate for textile recycling…
@@paularunslondonwell I assume if it's rags then it can be recycled. I know a charity near me which is a homeless charity that accepts donations of new or "very lightly worn washed socks" which was a happy moment for me because I'm so so picky with socks I have an entire basket of socks I've bought, put on and immediately yeeted into the not comfy basket because you can't try them on or return them. So all of those reject socks for me go to that charity 😅 I have way too many sensory issues around socks and I hate thinking they would go to waste. And another thing if you're on the crafty side, if you've got socks that are worn you can make Tawashi sponges. I do that with any nearly totally worn out socks and after a few washes they work even better at scrubbing pans and stuff. Super easy to make a makeshift loom too
I can highly recommend Annika Victoria here on yt. I think she stopped uploading a while ago but her old videos are still up and contain a lot of great beginner friendly tutorials. What I love about her videos is that she often leaves in the parts where she messes up which helps a ton with the inevitable troubleshooting you'll have to do when you start to learn.
beginner's note on sewing: if you're scared of using a sewing machine/can't afford one, i cannot recommend hand sewing enough! It takes longer ofc, but it's way cheaper and if you're just mending and adjusting your clothing, hand sewing is absolutely enough. I've been hand sewing for years, and if i have a bigger project to work on (recently made myself pajama pants) i'll watch youtube while stitching 😌
Omg- cutting off the sleeves and making them cute little ruffley bits… I stood up and CHEERED. Pls never stop making clothing videos they are genuinely so inspiring!
Went to look it up, I had no idea this was a thing! I was about to give away some sweaters because they aren't really my style, but now I'm SO excited about the possibilities! 🤩
I'd love to know how you do this on knitted garments that are seamed at the sides? I've got a sweater vest I want to crop, but the ribbing is really thin at the bottom and ideally I'd frog and reknit the band thicker but the sides are seamed? Is it worth the effort or should I just sew it and live with the skinny ribbing? 😅
Shout out to everyone who lives in an indecisive environment where you experience every season in the span of a week and therefore struggle to cycle clothes 🙃
Well hello from Mexico City! In the last week we've had rainstorms, sweltering heat and right now I'm wearing thick socks and a sweater inside my home to avoid the temptation of spending all day in bed.
Yes! I had on shorts yesterday and come Friday I'll need a jacket. I've worn flip flops at Christmas more than a few times so I'm definitely jealous of seasonal shuffling. I do tend to move things like swimsuits out of my regular space in October, but that's about it.
I learned sewing from my mother when I was 12. (THANK YOU MOMMY) It turned out to become my bread and butter. I am a designer, but also work freelance in a theatre costume department. I am surrounded by amazing professional seamstresses and often feel like a complete idiot and amateur, yet with the skills I have I can get along perfectly fine! Long story short: 110% encourage anyone to learn how to sew, because Leena, you are right: you don't need a lot of the skills to get most of the results you want.
This was a great comparison- I find sewing frustrating but it's not nearly as difficult or as high stakes as learning to drive. And I appreciate the just sit there and figure it out point- I'm a bit impatient haha
Same. Sewing you just watch the needle, press the pedal and feed the fabric through. Driving I'm supposed to be looking ahead, and behind, and in wing mirrors and I have 3 pedals, a gear stick and a steering wheel. Sewing is unlikely to go so terribly wrong that someone could die. There's not much that can't be fixed with persistence and a seem ripper.
@@Draggonny Can you ride a bike? Driving is like learning to ride a bigger bike contained in a small cosy box. I was scared of it at first too but I had lots of lessons and got lots of practise driving around Tesco carpark and eventually I passed my second test. Driving gives me a lot of independence and I can't imagine not having it as a transport option. I guess it partly depends on where you live, my city doesn't have v good public transport so driving greatly reduces time and hassle. But I just wanted to encourage people not to be scared of it if they really want to learn.
Tip #1 especially if you're lucky enough to stay a fairly consistent weight: HANG DRY EVERYTHING. Probably sounds like a given to a lot of Europeans, but as a Canadian (and true of Americans as well) I am the odd one out doing this-most people tumble dry everything I literally have cheap H&M clothes that have lasted 5+ years because of washing on cold/lukewarm water & hanging to dry
As an American I must regretfully say that hang-drying isn't possible in many places. HOA's have rules against outdoor clothes lines, and apartments have no space indoors. Tumble-dry is pretty much our only option.
I love this. And mending clothes. I would say on a lot of jumpers like the art attack one you can just cut them and they do this roll up thing and don’t fray. I do it with all my jumpers cause I buy mens but they don’t go over those lady hips I’ve got. Just if someone’s looking for an easier option- it’s sewing machine free.
"It's self-cleaning - just like a vulva!" I love it. I also love the ruffley sleeves you up-cycled your ghost and stripy tops to have, and if I wasn't doing a no-spend month in November I'd be so tempted by the Lucy and Yak top/jumper!
I ADORE wool for my clothes. It regulates my temperature really well because I’m always cold and heating the house it expensive lol it’s easy to care for once you learn how it works. Plus the sheep require shearing to stay healthy so it’s a win win
leena. that sweater shaver. is a LIFE SAVER. GAME CHANGER. i bought one immediately after seeing this video and it is transforming this monster of a sweater I bought at primark five years ago back into a HIGH DEFINITION BEAUTY. thank you so much for introducing me to this magic
Freaking love it. I started packing away unseasonal clothes a couple years ago and it finally cured me of asking at every season change "wtf did I wear last winter/spring/summer/autumn?!!!!!"
Love wardrobe clearing/care videos, but especially loved the particular emphasise on sustainability here. Plus the facts and statistics along the way! The little outfit montage at the end was also 👌🏻
I studied abroad last year and so everything that couldn't go into my suitcase went into storage. Some things I was very excited about getting back but I have also gained emotional distance to a surprising amount of things, that now no longer spark joy, even if it's something I have worn a lot when I was younger. Time to see what I can do with sports club tshirts I've never even worn in the first place, or a pair of sweatpants that's definitely at the end of their lives. Also brb taking my knits off the hangers again D:
Leena I love how fearless you are when approaching problems like this. I often find myself paralyzed by the fear of 'doing it wrong' in so many situations.
Yes this is definitely something I’m really struggling with and have been for many many years. I think arts and crafts and just “home economy” things in general really help get the “just try things” muscle going because they’re often more low stakes than other decisions
re: wool. i own a small yarn brand and i buy from sustainable, small farms most of the time. anyway, a sheep *needs* to be shorn or else it will literally become so overgrown with wool that it can't carry it around at all and then it can't move, so it can't get to food sources and water. factory farming and the wool industry really sucks (for example, i never buy from farms that participate in a practice called mulesing, look it up) but smaller businesses aren't all bad. sheep exist in the world, and people need to care for them by shearing them or else they will literally die, so we might as well use the wool instead of letting it go to waste. i understand other perspectives but this one is mine, as an avid knitter, spinner, sewist, and yarn dyer/brand owner. wool is much better for the world than cotton.
What’s your brand? I’m an avid knitter and erstwhile sewist and err…had some times with a drop spindle in the past that didn’t go well (would love to learn to use a wheel though!). Always interesting in ethical yarn sources!
what I like to do instead of buying and rebuying new dish towels, is just to cut up old clothes and have a small bucket under the sink of “cleaning rags”- the kitchen towels hanging are therefore just for design so they can stay beautiful and lovely for the eyes :)
I JUST got a free sewing machine and have not gotten over being intimidated to learn How to use it! This is really inspiring me to just DO IT because I have so many simple hems that would make my wardrobe much more wearable.
It's really not that hard, just intimidating. but it's actually easy if you can find a very beginner's course near you, just to learn how to thread the machine and adjust tension 😉 You got this!
Thank you Leena for another inspirational video about clothes. I recently emptied out my wardrobe and got rid of clothes I was keeping from three-sizes ago, I can breathe a lot better now that my wardrobe is only clothes that fit me! A tip for hemming pants (from another 5-foot-and-some-dust girlie), put your foot on a chair and make sure the waist is in the right spot before marking. Works well for me :)
I've followed your sewing journey, Leena, and it inspired me to try mending and altering some of my own clothes, and let me warn others... Be conscious that in attempting to make clothing more wearable, you may ruin it beyond what was at least my ability and interest to repair. I recommend getting a cheap sewing machine because hand sewing is significantly harder to make aesthetically pleasing and hard wearing in my opinion. RIP Cargo trousers with the elastic at the bottom, I tried my best.
I loved the reference to the BBC's Lion The Witch And The Wardrobe. I grew up with that and it was one of my favourite VHS tapes. When it comes to winter wardrobes, I change my tops to long-sleeved and add jumpers. I don't "switch it up" because I like my wardrobe the way it is. This plan will still work great for me, too! You clearly put lots of thought into it (genuine compliment). Also, I love your looks! They all look so comfy and bright.
Your videos about clothes have a special spot in my heart, I LOVE your takes on the "basics" and how unapologetically colorful a wardrobe can be. Your love for clothes and the way you talk about them makes me look at mine a lot more lovingly.
I love your discussion about finding new ways to reuse worn out clothes instead of sending them into the donation to landfill pipeline! I try to do that as well. Those ruffle sleeves are such a genius and cute way to fix your favorite long sleeve tops too!
I'm not a fashion person but I'm always interested seeing your approach to it, and the advice you give to people who are into it. I have the same wardrobe year round, full of clothes that all get worn for at least 5 years before they get thrown away. My summer clothes aren't in a box half the year, they get worn as underlayers to the winter clothes so I don't have to buy extra jumpers. I'm on the opposite end from you and trying to convince myself to diversify my outfits a bit more but I can't actually face the idea of clothes shopping more than a couple of hours a year so I doubt my habits will change soon :P I'd love to see even more detailed videos about the fixes you make to clothes because I don't know how to sew and it means I waste things when they do come towards the end of their life
Maybe there’s a Repair Cafe or something like it in your area? I volunteer at the one in my town and we help a lot of people fix their clothes (and other things).
I love that you re fashioned your 👻 t-shirt. Most of my clothes I wear all year round. I just put away wooly cardigan when summer comes and tiny crop top when summer goes. Otherwise layering a spring-ish dress with a turtleneck is enough. It's not that cold where I leave.
yes, same! „summer dresses” don’t exist in my world, there are only dresses, and they can be worn with or without tights, with or without cardigans/blazers ;)
I don't really pack away my clothes ever as I usually wear jeans, a (black) T-shirt (If I want to look really professional, I'll wear a blouse instead) and a cardigan (rarely a jumper) for the majority of the year. I just gravitate to the shelf with my wool cardigans/jumpers instead of my cotton ones and put my summer dresses (I've got only one for winter but like to wear dresses when it's hot) on one side of my hanging space. However, I love watching wardrobe videos and especially love yours. Your style is so fun and authentic. Plus, Iove how you love your clothes.
This was such a fun and informative video! Loved how you restored some items for a new look! So happy to see someone wash their out of season clothes before storing away! People wonder where those yellow spots come from on clothes they've stored.... not washing them before storage turns any unseen stain or body oil yellow. Also to store clothes made of natural fabrics wrap in acid free tissue and buy some 100% cotton zippered pillow protectors to store those clothes. You can insert a cedar or lavender sachet if you're worried about moths. I think a cloth box or plastic box is better than a cardboard box as the glue in cardboard boxes attracts cockroaches if you're in an area where that might be a problem. Loved your video so I've subscribed!
YESSS!!! Love what you've done here! I love the creative challenge of mending my clothes. I don't always try to hide my alterations and fixes, sometimes bold patches and intentional stitching is the way to go for me :)
I can’t get over the hair 😍😍 also I always always love the mending and reusing and limiting consumption It’s such a breath of fresh air from everything else
Thanks Leena. I usually do a summer sort and a winter sort and pack things away - but I am a bugger for wanting new stuff. Well not "new" I only buy second hand but I don't think my shopping habits have actually changed that much since I was addicted to fast fashion. My wardrobe is still too full which means I grab the stuff at the front and centre all of the time and never end up wearing over half of the items in there. You've inspired me to do another clear out and finally sew that dress that's been on my floor for months because I want to turn it into a top!
I'm new to your channel and I'm loving it! You're wonderful ❤ one thing that stood out to me was that you mentioned that something didn't fit because you've gained some weight and you said it so matter-of- factly, without emotion. So refreshing! Gosh do we need more of that. It's part of life not a sin. The body carries us on the journey through life, and when it changes, we alter the clothes.
I've become more of a dress and skirt person as I've gotten older and I cannot tell you the joy I felt when I pulled out my long sleeve dresses that honestly my scatter brain forgot about and it really did feel like I had gone shopping. Despite having just gone thrifting today (it's my 33rd b-day, so I wanted to treat myself; budget was 20 euros) I found some really cute things that I do not own and I am going to try my hardest to shop my home; whether it be clothes or art supplies or sewing supplies. I have more than enough of everything to not need to shop. Oh and books, so many books I need to read! I really loved this video and I loved the way you upcycled/repaired your shirts you still love, genius!
Thank you for the sewing ideas and alteration tips, I love it! I want to add something: I started clothes swapping with friends. Like, make a pile of things that I am getting kinda bored of wearing, make a picture inventory and give to my friend to have fun with for a few months. Then swap back (unless otherwise agreed upon). I got a few very Leena dresses that way, and now I am Leena for a few months before my friend gets her dresses back.
Love that you turned your worn out long sleeves into ruffle sleeves. Ruffle sleeves are literally my favourite sleeve style ever and this is such a good idea to make your tops last longer. My main issue with my wardrobe is that I’ve gotten too fat for pretty much everything and can’t really afford to replace anything as the charity shops around here are rubbish, or too pricey, or just don’t carry big enough sizes. I always love your videos. Constantly wishing we could hang out when I watch them!
Per usual, you've really brought up the Monday mood. As soon as the video started I was like, "Leena upcycled the stretched out ghost shirt! I hope she talks about it." I was just complaining to my husband this morning how there really is no jacket season in Missouri. Autumn and Spring are three weeks long with a season of heat exhaustion and one of ice between them.
Leena! I just wanted thank you for your videos about having a more planet friendly wardrobe! They've definitely been a really positive influence on curbing my shopping tendencies and also really helped me to figure out what actually makes me happy and confident! Funnily enough, I've known how to sew for a very long time but it never occurred to me that I can use it to up-cycle my items! So I've been on a bit of an upcycling frenzy and it's made my wardrobe more cheerful and something I look forward to :)
Such great tips. I love seeing you mend and remake things. And I absolutely love the whole color story of the capsule at the end. The hot pink and brown combo is genius.
I freaking love that brown corduroy shacket on you. so much that it's ironically tempting me to get one, but I know I don't need it as I have so many jackets and corduroy already. I'm just going to appreciate how stunning you look in it.
Bless I love Leena Fashion content! As everyone else has commented, it’s such an accessible blend of fashion tips, sustainability principles, practical life hacks and fun! That fact about extending the life of your clothing by 9 months blew my mind. Thanks again Leena!
Man, this was such a vibe. Your description of sewing has actually really put it on my to-do list- it'll still take a while cuz there's a lot on there, but as difficult as driving is a realistic baseline. Also! I actually did a lot of this this year since I've had things long enough that I started getting serious holes, though since I can't hem, my bigger fixes were mostly dyeing. I do have a pile of things that need hemming, but I've yet to find a place to get that done.
Omg I just noticed my black long-sleeve has the exact same holes under the arms! Excited to go home and turn it into a cute short-sleeve shirt for summer.
I use all my old 100% cotton clothes and bedding as weed matting in the garden. It composts down over the years and stops weeds coming up in the meantime 👍
Ahhh I literally looove these videos! The perfect way to wake up in the morning in Aus with a cuppa thank youuu! I saw a mini sewing machine in Aldi for $14, I think I might go and get it!!!!
Thank you ! I can't always drive in a straight line- I'll catch my self in a wobble, and the same is true for sewing. I've had my mum sew the straight part before
Oh wow! With this warm tones of brown suiting you so well and the already stabilished love of animal print I have to say I fancy you have a "deep autunm" personal colors, wich explains why you can wear both silver and gold and bright colors don't wash you out.
Leena you're such an inspiration! I personally despise brown clothing, but you made it look so good in your look book at the end! Also that ruffle sleeve looks 100% legit and I'm thinking I should do that to some tops too!
ooo i do a lot of patching and darning but I haven't tried altering my clothes when they start to wear like you did with those long sleeved shirts - i'll definitely give something like that a go :)
I love this video! As someone who has more summer clothes, I always struggle with winter and fall! I love how you just break all these conventional rules to layering! I want to implement more of that fun with my wardrobe!
Informative and inspirational once again! Those ruffled sleeves blew my mind, I need to see if anything from my wardrobe can be made wearable with that hack. Also you made me want to wear brown, great additions ☺️
Loving your re-vamped capsule wardrobe! Now that you’ve learnt sewing for mending, I think you’re ready for sewing your own garments. There are so many Indie pattern makers in the market now (Tilly and the Buttons, is one UK example) - it’s helped me shun fast fashion in a big way.
I second the borderline worship of Lucy&yak. Their quality is just phenomenal, especially considering the price you pay for said quality. The addison jeans are hands down the best jeans I have ever owned and the cut means that despite having lost weight I can just wack a belt on and they still look good!
I always cut up old T-shirts to make cleaning rags. By the time I'm done painting in them (I'm an artist), that's all they're good for. Old underwear and towels too. Old sheets are good for cleaning mirrors. Kathy B
Absolutely loving the hair! It's very motivating to see someone actually doing the maintenance part of their wardrobe care. The sleeve upcyle you did on the ghost and stripe shirts looks amazing, its a very flattering shape and such a clever technique.
Love the tips on reviving shirts with sleeves that are on their last leg! When I saw your shirt at the beginning my first thought was, "that's a really cute top. I don't remember seeing anything quite like it before" 🤔 Now I know why! My favorite part is the flexibility to tailor it to your personal style and preferences. Now that I know sewing is easier than driving, I'm ready to get Granny's machine out of storage and give it a shot. (Hopefully it works 🤞🏾)
@@leenanorms maybe I've just missed it but could you please link that sleeve-saving tutorial somewhere. It sounds like the perfect solution for my striped and well-loved longsleeved top as well
Thank you for the great video Leena, very entertaining and educating as per usual. The comparison of sewing and driving really hit home with me! I have been wanting to learn how to sew for a while now but I have held back because I was intimidated about it being too hard and too long to learn , but I do know how to drive sooooo....i might get myself a sewing machine for christmas :D
Loooove you style! And fyi that color that you've never tried before for a top... looks great on you, just as everything else you own! Especially with that makeup, matching the colour of your lipstick, very well put together.
One of my subscribers told me about you because she said we have similar vibes! This is the video i have started with and I totes see it ❤ hello from New Orleans - your newest fan!!
Useful tip for winter if you’re a person who wears skirts and dresses- make yourself a flannel petticoat! I made mine from an old brushed cotton duvet cover and it makes a lot of thinner dresses and skirts wearable for the cold months 😊
love the lucy and yak jumper with the cheetah print dress and the courderoy "shacket" on top! brown is a seriously underrated color. for myself i love really plain clothing but i always love the creativity and color you bring to your wardrobe, it's so bright and fun and i wish i had your knack for matching contrasting patterns and colors. i struggle to upcycle the worn items in my wardrobe and have unfortunately resorted to some brand new purchases recently, but my pride of this year has been unraveling two thrifted sweaters to make myself a cardigan that's a new favorite! with the leftover yarn i've made myself a crop top and have plans to make another!
I'm old enough to remember putting my big jumpers away in the summer, and ferreting my dresses & tank tops away in the winter. This year I've decided there's no point owning nice clothes anymore, being as I'm always in a raincoat. I should get a really nice raincoat ☔
where i live the weather doesn't vary widely enough for it to really be worth having different seasonal clothes-the same cotton shirts that get me through summer can work under a sweatshirt for most of winter-but this seasonal wardrobe idea is still inspiring. i like the idea of being surprised and delighted by clothes i already own! and breaking down repair and giveaway tasks by season so it's not all clothes all the time overwhelming. might have to sort by color or something XD
Thanks for both the book and sewing tip. I have a gorgeous little blouse whose sleeves have always been just a bit too tight and changing them never even ocurred to me!
Love your new haircut so much! Would you have eyebrow length bangs again??? 👀 That hairstyle looked equally cute in some of the older clips you’ve shown in the video! I love love love all the thoughts and comments on mending clothes. And yes, I fear for most of us, Spring and fall are def the two liminal seasons that’s proven harder to find than Narnia.
Pro tip: blankets and towels that are too deterioted for the thrift store can be donated to your local animal shelter🐱🐶! The pets are always in want of some makeshift bedding :>
Great tip as long as they are also in a decent condition and have been cleaned.
I work for an animal sanctuary and we often received items that are already ripped or haven't been washed and they get thrown out.
A lot of people just say "oh well it's better than sleeping on nothing though" and nothing angers us more at work 😪
you can also tear them up into rags, quilted/layered inner layersfor coats, or further smaller pieces into stuffing for pincushions and stiff pillows!
You can make a draft excluder by stuffing old clothes down the leg of a pair of old leggings/ trousers!
It can be useful to keep old towels for yourself for use in cleaning, or if you need to temporarily care for an animal. For example in the UK if you find a hedgehog who is injured, obviously ill, or too small to hybernate, old towels are very useful for for keeping them safe and comfortable until you can bring them to a local rehabber.
An old sweater that is too stained, holey, or Christmas ugly to donate makes a great pet sweater with just a little bit of simple alteration. We have an old tabby who loves the extra warmth.
Forget black and white advice, Leena is always gracefully swimming around in the conversational grey areas. I think her magically colorful outfits give her that superpower.
This is a great comment 😊
Yes! 🤍
As someone who works in a charity shop, thank you for being so considerate of our time, it's greatly appreciated! Also if you aren't able to upcycle/dispose of your damaged old clothes yourself you can still take it to a charity shop labelled as rags or just tell them it's rags, and it can go straight to the fabric recycling pile without needing to be sorted. Upcycling to extend it's life as far as possible is preferable of course but if that's not an option for you this would be better than just binning it!
Wow I didn't know I could do this! I often have rag offcuts and I've gone beyond the point of being able to use every little scrap I have in my sewing room. I'd resigned myself to the thought of it going to landfill, but they can recycle it? That's awesome!
@katemuller8012 can you take old pants and socks to be recycled too? I currently have a bag of them, but not sure if they’re appropriate for textile recycling…
@@paularunslondonwell I assume if it's rags then it can be recycled. I know a charity near me which is a homeless charity that accepts donations of new or "very lightly worn washed socks" which was a happy moment for me because I'm so so picky with socks I have an entire basket of socks I've bought, put on and immediately yeeted into the not comfy basket because you can't try them on or return them. So all of those reject socks for me go to that charity 😅 I have way too many sensory issues around socks and I hate thinking they would go to waste. And another thing if you're on the crafty side, if you've got socks that are worn you can make Tawashi sponges. I do that with any nearly totally worn out socks and after a few washes they work even better at scrubbing pans and stuff. Super easy to make a makeshift loom too
The way Lena described how sewing can feel daunting is exactly why I’d LOVE if she’d make sewing tutorials for us!!
I can highly recommend Annika Victoria here on yt. I think she stopped uploading a while ago but her old videos are still up and contain a lot of great beginner friendly tutorials. What I love about her videos is that she often leaves in the parts where she messes up which helps a ton with the inevitable troubleshooting you'll have to do when you start to learn.
beginner's note on sewing: if you're scared of using a sewing machine/can't afford one, i cannot recommend hand sewing enough! It takes longer ofc, but it's way cheaper and if you're just mending and adjusting your clothing, hand sewing is absolutely enough.
I've been hand sewing for years, and if i have a bigger project to work on (recently made myself pajama pants) i'll watch youtube while stitching 😌
Omg- cutting off the sleeves and making them cute little ruffley bits… I stood up and CHEERED. Pls never stop making clothing videos they are genuinely so inspiring!
Yes, the ruffley sleeves are so cute!
That hair cut looks so good on you, I can't get over it
My new favourite way to upcycle knitwear is frogging the garment to get all the wool and and reknitting or crocheting it into something new 😊
I've never heard that term before but I LOVE IT
Went to look it up, I had no idea this was a thing! I was about to give away some sweaters because they aren't really my style, but now I'm SO excited about the possibilities! 🤩
Please tell me it’s called frogging because you… rip-it!
I'd love to know how you do this on knitted garments that are seamed at the sides? I've got a sweater vest I want to crop, but the ribbing is really thin at the bottom and ideally I'd frog and reknit the band thicker but the sides are seamed? Is it worth the effort or should I just sew it and live with the skinny ribbing? 😅
@michellebarnett yep that's exactly why it's called frogging! I also think it sounds a bit like a frog but maybe that's just me haha
Shout out to everyone who lives in an indecisive environment where you experience every season in the span of a week and therefore struggle to cycle clothes 🙃
Well hello from Mexico City! In the last week we've had rainstorms, sweltering heat and right now I'm wearing thick socks and a sweater inside my home to avoid the temptation of spending all day in bed.
Yes! I had on shorts yesterday and come Friday I'll need a jacket. I've worn flip flops at Christmas more than a few times so I'm definitely jealous of seasonal shuffling. I do tend to move things like swimsuits out of my regular space in October, but that's about it.
I think this was the kick in the pants I needed to FINALLY pull out my sewing machine this weekend and figure things out
aw I hope you did, if not, NEXT WEEKEND. It's so fun! x
I learned sewing from my mother when I was 12. (THANK YOU MOMMY) It turned out to become my bread and butter. I am a designer, but also work freelance in a theatre costume department. I am surrounded by amazing professional seamstresses and often feel like a complete idiot and amateur, yet with the skills I have I can get along perfectly fine! Long story short: 110% encourage anyone to learn how to sew, because Leena, you are right: you don't need a lot of the skills to get most of the results you want.
Omg that's such an incredible story and job!
Can confirm that sewing without driving skills is possible: I cannot drive, but I can sew
Same!
This was a great comparison- I find sewing frustrating but it's not nearly as difficult or as high stakes as learning to drive. And I appreciate the just sit there and figure it out point- I'm a bit impatient haha
Same. Sewing you just watch the needle, press the pedal and feed the fabric through. Driving I'm supposed to be looking ahead, and behind, and in wing mirrors and I have 3 pedals, a gear stick and a steering wheel. Sewing is unlikely to go so terribly wrong that someone could die. There's not much that can't be fixed with persistence and a seem ripper.
@@Draggonny Can you ride a bike? Driving is like learning to ride a bigger bike contained in a small cosy box. I was scared of it at first too but I had lots of lessons and got lots of practise driving around Tesco carpark and eventually I passed my second test. Driving gives me a lot of independence and I can't imagine not having it as a transport option. I guess it partly depends on where you live, my city doesn't have v good public transport so driving greatly reduces time and hassle. But I just wanted to encourage people not to be scared of it if they really want to learn.
Tip #1 especially if you're lucky enough to stay a fairly consistent weight: HANG DRY EVERYTHING.
Probably sounds like a given to a lot of Europeans, but as a Canadian (and true of Americans as well) I am the odd one out doing this-most people tumble dry everything
I literally have cheap H&M clothes that have lasted 5+ years because of washing on cold/lukewarm water & hanging to dry
Viva clotheslines! My friend told me “dryer lint is your clothes being murdered” and she was right!!
Yes! Hang drying is the best, and also clothes are way less wrinkly.
As an American I must regretfully say that hang-drying isn't possible in many places. HOA's have rules against outdoor clothes lines, and apartments have no space indoors. Tumble-dry is pretty much our only option.
I love this. And mending clothes. I would say on a lot of jumpers like the art attack one you can just cut them and they do this roll up thing and don’t fray. I do it with all my jumpers cause I buy mens but they don’t go over those lady hips I’ve got. Just if someone’s looking for an easier option- it’s sewing machine free.
love that! I definitely prefer keeping the ribbing but excellent point if you don't have sewing skills or CBA this sounds fab
"It's self-cleaning - just like a vulva!" I love it. I also love the ruffley sleeves you up-cycled your ghost and stripy tops to have, and if I wasn't doing a no-spend month in November I'd be so tempted by the Lucy and Yak top/jumper!
Pretty it was meant to be 'vagina'. Do wash your vulva folks. But otherwise great saying, will try to add it in every conversation
Vulvas are NOT self cleaning! Vaginas are. You need to wash your vulva.
When i saw the ghost top sleeves I felt pride for you that I dont think ill ever have for my own children.
😂😂😂 haha thank you, I feel like I earned it!
I ADORE wool for my clothes. It regulates my temperature really well because I’m always cold and heating the house it expensive lol it’s easy to care for once you learn how it works. Plus the sheep require shearing to stay healthy so it’s a win win
This is totally not related to this specific video but I just think you're so funny. Like I could listen for hours you're so entertaining.
leena. that sweater shaver. is a LIFE SAVER. GAME CHANGER. i bought one immediately after seeing this video and it is transforming this monster of a sweater I bought at primark five years ago back into a HIGH DEFINITION BEAUTY. thank you so much for introducing me to this magic
Haha aw I'm so glad! Happy shaving!
I love that we can hear the slightest laugh from Craig as you say to what is probably his face "he SHUNNED it" XD
I had to go back and listen for it after this comment. It made me giggle.
I always love these kinds of videos, they make me feel less alone on my wardrobe journey.
Freaking love it. I started packing away unseasonal clothes a couple years ago and it finally cured me of asking at every season change "wtf did I wear last winter/spring/summer/autumn?!!!!!"
Love wardrobe clearing/care videos, but especially loved the particular emphasise on sustainability here. Plus the facts and statistics along the way! The little outfit montage at the end was also 👌🏻
in Montréal we also only have 2 seasons construction season and winter😂
Just want to say that your hair (still) looks amazing.
I studied abroad last year and so everything that couldn't go into my suitcase went into storage. Some things I was very excited about getting back but I have also gained emotional distance to a surprising amount of things, that now no longer spark joy, even if it's something I have worn a lot when I was younger. Time to see what I can do with sports club tshirts I've never even worn in the first place, or a pair of sweatpants that's definitely at the end of their lives. Also brb taking my knits off the hangers again D:
If you have a lot of the t shirts you could make a quilt of them or if just a few make a pillow cover
I had that with my whole flat ^^ I came back home, suddenly realised I didn't need all that stuff, then decluttered and moved in with my boyfriend :D
@@lynnetrue4103 I'll definitely need to dye them nicer colours if I make something where they're visible x)
Love the upcycling! Always here for more sewing content 😍
Looooove this, I'll never get sick of watching your wardrobe shenanigans !
I was watching the intro and was immediately like ‘Leena, the sleeves! Fantastic! They’re so you’. Loved you talking about it!
Leena I love how fearless you are when approaching problems like this. I often find myself paralyzed by the fear of 'doing it wrong' in so many situations.
Yes this is definitely something I’m really struggling with and have been for many many years. I think arts and crafts and just “home economy” things in general really help get the “just try things” muscle going because they’re often more low stakes than other decisions
re: wool. i own a small yarn brand and i buy from sustainable, small farms most of the time. anyway, a sheep *needs* to be shorn or else it will literally become so overgrown with wool that it can't carry it around at all and then it can't move, so it can't get to food sources and water. factory farming and the wool industry really sucks (for example, i never buy from farms that participate in a practice called mulesing, look it up) but smaller businesses aren't all bad. sheep exist in the world, and people need to care for them by shearing them or else they will literally die, so we might as well use the wool instead of letting it go to waste. i understand other perspectives but this one is mine, as an avid knitter, spinner, sewist, and yarn dyer/brand owner. wool is much better for the world than cotton.
Omg please tell us the name of your yarn brand, I'd love to give it a look! This is all good info too, thank you!!
What’s your brand? I’m an avid knitter and erstwhile sewist and err…had some times with a drop spindle in the past that didn’t go well (would love to learn to use a wheel though!). Always interesting in ethical yarn sources!
I think its cloudyarncompany?
what I like to do instead of buying and rebuying new dish towels, is just to cut up old clothes and have a small bucket under the sink of “cleaning rags”- the kitchen towels hanging are therefore just for design so they can stay beautiful and lovely for the eyes :)
I JUST got a free sewing machine and have not gotten over being intimidated to learn How to use it! This is really inspiring me to just DO IT because I have so many simple hems that would make my wardrobe much more wearable.
It's really not that hard, just intimidating. but it's actually easy if you can find a very beginner's course near you, just to learn how to thread the machine and adjust tension 😉
You got this!
Thank you Leena for another inspirational video about clothes. I recently emptied out my wardrobe and got rid of clothes I was keeping from three-sizes ago, I can breathe a lot better now that my wardrobe is only clothes that fit me! A tip for hemming pants (from another 5-foot-and-some-dust girlie), put your foot on a chair and make sure the waist is in the right spot before marking. Works well for me :)
I appreciate the content you make so much. This has inspired me to go through my wardrobe again. Thank you!
Aw thank you!!!
Fab video! Your mended clothes look great!
I've followed your sewing journey, Leena, and it inspired me to try mending and altering some of my own clothes, and let me warn others...
Be conscious that in attempting to make clothing more wearable, you may ruin it beyond what was at least my ability and interest to repair. I recommend getting a cheap sewing machine because hand sewing is significantly harder to make aesthetically pleasing and hard wearing in my opinion.
RIP Cargo trousers with the elastic at the bottom, I tried my best.
I loved the reference to the BBC's Lion The Witch And The Wardrobe. I grew up with that and it was one of my favourite VHS tapes.
When it comes to winter wardrobes, I change my tops to long-sleeved and add jumpers. I don't "switch it up" because I like my wardrobe the way it is. This plan will still work great for me, too! You clearly put lots of thought into it (genuine compliment).
Also, I love your looks! They all look so comfy and bright.
Your videos about clothes have a special spot in my heart, I LOVE your takes on the "basics" and how unapologetically colorful a wardrobe can be. Your love for clothes and the way you talk about them makes me look at mine a lot more lovingly.
I love your discussion about finding new ways to reuse worn out clothes instead of sending them into the donation to landfill pipeline! I try to do that as well. Those ruffle sleeves are such a genius and cute way to fix your favorite long sleeve tops too!
I'm not a fashion person but I'm always interested seeing your approach to it, and the advice you give to people who are into it. I have the same wardrobe year round, full of clothes that all get worn for at least 5 years before they get thrown away. My summer clothes aren't in a box half the year, they get worn as underlayers to the winter clothes so I don't have to buy extra jumpers. I'm on the opposite end from you and trying to convince myself to diversify my outfits a bit more but I can't actually face the idea of clothes shopping more than a couple of hours a year so I doubt my habits will change soon :P I'd love to see even more detailed videos about the fixes you make to clothes because I don't know how to sew and it means I waste things when they do come towards the end of their life
Maybe there’s a Repair Cafe or something like it in your area? I volunteer at the one in my town and we help a lot of people fix their clothes (and other things).
I love that you re fashioned your 👻 t-shirt. Most of my clothes I wear all year round. I just put away wooly cardigan when summer comes and tiny crop top when summer goes. Otherwise layering a spring-ish dress with a turtleneck is enough. It's not that cold where I leave.
yes, same! „summer dresses” don’t exist in my world, there are only dresses, and they can be worn with or without tights, with or without cardigans/blazers ;)
I love your haircut Leena and this is a great video I love layers and clothes that work for 3/4 of the year
I don't really pack away my clothes ever as I usually wear jeans, a (black) T-shirt (If I want to look really professional, I'll wear a blouse instead) and a cardigan (rarely a jumper) for the majority of the year. I just gravitate to the shelf with my wool cardigans/jumpers instead of my cotton ones and put my summer dresses (I've got only one for winter but like to wear dresses when it's hot) on one side of my hanging space. However, I love watching wardrobe videos and especially love yours. Your style is so fun and authentic. Plus, Iove how you love your clothes.
This was such a fun and informative video! Loved how you restored some items for a new look! So happy to see someone wash their out of season clothes before storing away! People wonder where those yellow spots come from on clothes they've stored.... not washing them before storage turns any unseen stain or body oil yellow. Also to store clothes made of natural fabrics wrap in acid free tissue and buy some 100% cotton zippered pillow protectors to store those clothes. You can insert a cedar or lavender sachet if you're worried about moths. I think a cloth box or plastic box is better than a cardboard box as the glue in cardboard boxes attracts cockroaches if you're in an area where that might be a problem. Loved your video so I've subscribed!
YESSS!!! Love what you've done here! I love the creative challenge of mending my clothes. I don't always try to hide my alterations and fixes, sometimes bold patches and intentional stitching is the way to go for me :)
I can’t get over the hair 😍😍 also I always always love the mending and reusing and limiting consumption
It’s such a breath of fresh air from everything else
Thanks Leena.
I usually do a summer sort and a winter sort and pack things away - but I am a bugger for wanting new stuff. Well not "new" I only buy second hand but I don't think my shopping habits have actually changed that much since I was addicted to fast fashion.
My wardrobe is still too full which means I grab the stuff at the front and centre all of the time and never end up wearing over half of the items in there.
You've inspired me to do another clear out and finally sew that dress that's been on my floor for months because I want to turn it into a top!
I'm new to your channel and I'm loving it! You're wonderful ❤ one thing that stood out to me was that you mentioned that something didn't fit because you've gained some weight and you said it so matter-of- factly, without emotion. So refreshing! Gosh do we need more of that. It's part of life not a sin. The body carries us on the journey through life, and when it changes, we alter the clothes.
I've become more of a dress and skirt person as I've gotten older and I cannot tell you the joy I felt when I pulled out my long sleeve dresses that honestly my scatter brain forgot about and it really did feel like I had gone shopping. Despite having just gone thrifting today (it's my 33rd b-day, so I wanted to treat myself; budget was 20 euros) I found some really cute things that I do not own and I am going to try my hardest to shop my home; whether it be clothes or art supplies or sewing supplies. I have more than enough of everything to not need to shop. Oh and books, so many books I need to read! I really loved this video and I loved the way you upcycled/repaired your shirts you still love, genius!
Thank you for the sewing ideas and alteration tips, I love it! I want to add something: I started clothes swapping with friends. Like, make a pile of things that I am getting kinda bored of wearing, make a picture inventory and give to my friend to have fun with for a few months. Then swap back (unless otherwise agreed upon). I got a few very Leena dresses that way, and now I am Leena for a few months before my friend gets her dresses back.
Love that you turned your worn out long sleeves into ruffle sleeves. Ruffle sleeves are literally my favourite sleeve style ever and this is such a good idea to make your tops last longer. My main issue with my wardrobe is that I’ve gotten too fat for pretty much everything and can’t really afford to replace anything as the charity shops around here are rubbish, or too pricey, or just don’t carry big enough sizes. I always love your videos. Constantly wishing we could hang out when I watch them!
Per usual, you've really brought up the Monday mood. As soon as the video started I was like, "Leena upcycled the stretched out ghost shirt! I hope she talks about it."
I was just complaining to my husband this morning how there really is no jacket season in Missouri. Autumn and Spring are three weeks long with a season of heat exhaustion and one of ice between them.
Leena! I just wanted thank you for your videos about having a more planet friendly wardrobe! They've definitely been a really positive influence on curbing my shopping tendencies and also really helped me to figure out what actually makes me happy and confident!
Funnily enough, I've known how to sew for a very long time but it never occurred to me that I can use it to up-cycle my items! So I've been on a bit of an upcycling frenzy and it's made my wardrobe more cheerful and something I look forward to :)
Aw that's so fab to hear!!!
A less articial chemical-y alternative to moth balls is cedarwood and/or lavender - it works well and also smells nicer!
Such great tips. I love seeing you mend and remake things. And I absolutely love the whole color story of the capsule at the end. The hot pink and brown combo is genius.
I freaking love that brown corduroy shacket on you. so much that it's ironically tempting me to get one, but I know I don't need it as I have so many jackets and corduroy already. I'm just going to appreciate how stunning you look in it.
Bless I love Leena Fashion content! As everyone else has commented, it’s such an accessible blend of fashion tips, sustainability principles, practical life hacks and fun! That fact about extending the life of your clothing by 9 months blew my mind. Thanks again Leena!
I absolutely adore how you put together outfits! Your sense of style is so wonderful ❤
Man, this was such a vibe. Your description of sewing has actually really put it on my to-do list- it'll still take a while cuz there's a lot on there, but as difficult as driving is a realistic baseline. Also! I actually did a lot of this this year since I've had things long enough that I started getting serious holes, though since I can't hem, my bigger fixes were mostly dyeing. I do have a pile of things that need hemming, but I've yet to find a place to get that done.
Omg I just noticed my black long-sleeve has the exact same holes under the arms! Excited to go home and turn it into a cute short-sleeve shirt for summer.
I use all my old 100% cotton clothes and bedding as weed matting in the garden. It composts down over the years and stops weeds coming up in the meantime 👍
Ahhh I literally looove these videos! The perfect way to wake up in the morning in Aus with a cuppa thank youuu! I saw a mini sewing machine in Aldi for $14, I think I might go and get it!!!!
DO IT!!! I loved my mini sewing machine so much!
Thank you ! I can't always drive in a straight line- I'll catch my self in a wobble, and the same is true for sewing. I've had my mum sew the straight part before
I love your ghost top and what you did with it, the ruffles make it even cuter!
Babes just a shout out for the use of the superior Narnia film version.
Thank you for featuring the BBC Narnia over the film version. Lovely bit of nostalgia there
Oh wow! With this warm tones of brown suiting you so well and the already stabilished love of animal print I have to say I fancy you have a "deep autunm" personal colors, wich explains why you can wear both silver and gold and bright colors don't wash you out.
A fellow fan of seasonal color analysis (≧▽≦)
Leena you're such an inspiration! I personally despise brown clothing, but you made it look so good in your look book at the end! Also that ruffle sleeve looks 100% legit and I'm thinking I should do that to some tops too!
ooo i do a lot of patching and darning but I haven't tried altering my clothes when they start to wear like you did with those long sleeved shirts - i'll definitely give something like that a go :)
The gas mask gave Doctor Who "ARE YOU MY MUMMY??" vibes. 😂
Oh no! The amount of nightmares I had after watching the episodes...
@@Molscheira oh no oh no! That episode was wild for sure, but the first ever episode I saw was Blink, and everything else seems tame by comparison!
@@jo_aspen okay, you win 😄 By far the creepiest episode!!
I love this video! As someone who has more summer clothes, I always struggle with winter and fall! I love how you just break all these conventional rules to layering! I want to implement more of that fun with my wardrobe!
Informative and inspirational once again! Those ruffled sleeves blew my mind, I need to see if anything from my wardrobe can be made wearable with that hack. Also you made me want to wear brown, great additions ☺️
Ruffle sleeve...it is BRILLIANT idea !
Loving your re-vamped capsule wardrobe! Now that you’ve learnt sewing for mending, I think you’re ready for sewing your own garments. There are so many Indie pattern makers in the market now (Tilly and the Buttons, is one UK example) - it’s helped me shun fast fashion in a big way.
I second the borderline worship of Lucy&yak. Their quality is just phenomenal, especially considering the price you pay for said quality. The addison jeans are hands down the best jeans I have ever owned and the cut means that despite having lost weight I can just wack a belt on and they still look good!
Making those butterfly sleeves -genius! I'm so happy for you!
Love the turtleneck and shacket combination!! Very 70's and I love it.
I always cut up old T-shirts to make cleaning rags. By the time I'm done painting in them (I'm an artist), that's all they're good for. Old underwear and towels too. Old sheets are good for cleaning mirrors.
Kathy B
Absolutely loving the hair!
It's very motivating to see someone actually doing the maintenance part of their wardrobe care. The sleeve upcyle you did on the ghost and stripe shirts looks amazing, its a very flattering shape and such a clever technique.
Love the tips on reviving shirts with sleeves that are on their last leg! When I saw your shirt at the beginning my first thought was, "that's a really cute top. I don't remember seeing anything quite like it before" 🤔 Now I know why! My favorite part is the flexibility to tailor it to your personal style and preferences. Now that I know sewing is easier than driving, I'm ready to get Granny's machine out of storage and give it a shot. (Hopefully it works 🤞🏾)
Haha crossing my fingers for you!
@@leenanorms maybe I've just missed it but could you please link that sleeve-saving tutorial somewhere. It sounds like the perfect solution for my striped and well-loved longsleeved top as well
Thank you for the great video Leena, very entertaining and educating as per usual. The comparison of sewing and driving really hit home with me! I have been wanting to learn how to sew for a while now but I have held back because I was intimidated about it being too hard and too long to learn , but I do know how to drive sooooo....i might get myself a sewing machine for christmas :D
Loooove you style! And fyi that color that you've never tried before for a top... looks great on you, just as everything else you own! Especially with that makeup, matching the colour of your lipstick, very well put together.
Loving Leena’s new Brown Era
One of my subscribers told me about you because she said we have similar vibes! This is the video i have started with and I totes see it ❤ hello from New Orleans - your newest fan!!
Useful tip for winter if you’re a person who wears skirts and dresses- make yourself a flannel petticoat! I made mine from an old brushed cotton duvet cover and it makes a lot of thinner dresses and skirts wearable for the cold months 😊
Great idea!! I’m gunna copy that!
I love how perfectly placed that cardboard box was to advertise an eco brand for toilet paper! 🧻👌🏼
Those new sleeves fit so well on you!
You look so stunning! Loving the haircut xx
The inspiration I needed to finally clean and organize my wardrobe this season! Thank you!
love the lucy and yak jumper with the cheetah print dress and the courderoy "shacket" on top! brown is a seriously underrated color. for myself i love really plain clothing but i always love the creativity and color you bring to your wardrobe, it's so bright and fun and i wish i had your knack for matching contrasting patterns and colors. i struggle to upcycle the worn items in my wardrobe and have unfortunately resorted to some brand new purchases recently, but my pride of this year has been unraveling two thrifted sweaters to make myself a cardigan that's a new favorite! with the leftover yarn i've made myself a crop top and have plans to make another!
Can I just say your hair looks so freaking good at the moment
I'm old enough to remember putting my big jumpers away in the summer, and ferreting my dresses & tank tops away in the winter.
This year I've decided there's no point owning nice clothes anymore, being as I'm always in a raincoat. I should get a really nice raincoat ☔
where i live the weather doesn't vary widely enough for it to really be worth having different seasonal clothes-the same cotton shirts that get me through summer can work under a sweatshirt for most of winter-but this seasonal wardrobe idea is still inspiring. i like the idea of being surprised and delighted by clothes i already own! and breaking down repair and giveaway tasks by season so it's not all clothes all the time overwhelming. might have to sort by color or something XD
Love your small but significant rebellions, Lena.
Thanks for both the book and sewing tip. I have a gorgeous little blouse whose sleeves have always been just a bit too tight and changing them never even ocurred to me!
Thanks for this level headed approach to wardrobe management.
Love your new haircut so much! Would you have eyebrow length bangs again??? 👀 That hairstyle looked equally cute in some of the older clips you’ve shown in the video! I love love love all the thoughts and comments on mending clothes. And yes, I fear for most of us, Spring and fall are def the two liminal seasons that’s proven harder to find than Narnia.
Omg your brown monochrome outfit literally made me gasp 😯SO GOOD 😍
i'm near thirty and can't drive or sew. i feel like i should work on one before the landmark birthday and i choose sewing!
GREAT CHOICE!!! I still can't drive at 32 and I get by just fine