From Thrift Store Finds to Fashion Statements: The Joy of Upcycling with Daisy, Minnie, and Figaro

Daisy, Minnie, and Figaro - The Perfect Trio

Last year, I received a denim jacket that was not only a perfect fit but also the perfect color - of course, it’s black! However, I knew right away that I needed to do something with it to make it more my style. Last week, while trying on outfits for an event, I pulled the denim jacket from the back of the rack. It had been patiently waiting there for a year, collecting dust and cat hair. I have two Siberian cats, and I have to tell you, their hair is everywhere, I mean, everywhere! I’m convinced it even floats in the air.

Since it was a brand-new piece, I didn’t feel comfortable painting it or making any holes, even though I was tempted to. So, I looked for inspiration and came across various ideas, but the ones that resonated with me the most involved sewing some cartoonish characters on the back of the jacket and adding some frills to jazz it up.

Did I mention that I love upcycling and the idea of thrifting? I absolutely do! I also have a little obsession with keeping small offcuts from the textiles I use, along with tiny two-inch pieces of trim, which I store in boxes for projects just like this. I knew I had some materials ready to go, but the main cartoon characters were still to be found.

A few weeks ago, I decided I better go find some of these characters, and Value Village came to mind. The night before my thrift store trip, I imagined all the possibilities and got so excited that I had difficulty falling asleep. The next day, I was exploring the aisles in the adult section, but after my second round, I found nothing - nothing even close to what I was hoping for. I felt a little disappointed, but determination is my middle name, and I knew there had to be something here; I just had to keep looking.

And then, there it was in the kids' section. Of course, where else could it be?! I pulled it out and almost screamed, “OMG, this is perfect!” And it was brand new to boot. Daisy, Minnie, and Figaro - the perfect trio to star on the back of the jacket. The price tag was also sweet, only $6.99.

On the way home, I was already picturing the design and couldn’t wait to get started. I tossed out a few boxes of teeny-tiny pieces and offcuts, and I even found a red zipper to add - why not? This little project brought me so much fun and joy. Once it was finished, I began the process of styling it with some of my older and newer pieces, and I was excited to debut the look by adding a feather headpiece made from a boa that I had for almost 15 years.

Last night, I wore it to the Startup Fashion Week Opening Party, and I was thrilled to see people admiring it. It was definitely worth the creative effort, and sharing the story behind the design with others was truly delightful. It was lovely to see some familiar faces and meet new people at the party. What a great night!

Thank you, Saul, for the lovely photo!

Photo credit - Saul Porto