I Thrifted Old School Uniforms and here’s the result

sustainable fashion

Hello everyone and welcome for another DIY or should I say thrifting session.

I know that some of you are now feeling weary of this isolation period but please hold on and just be patient. I was in that state a few days ago, so I thought about setting up my sewing machine back next to my workstation and look for something to (destroy) and bring back to new life!

A few months back, we had a huge back of outgrown school uniforms. Obviously, they are not mine but were outgrown by my boyfriend’s two daughters who studying in St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School – a private school which means expensive uniforms.

sustainable fashion
This is a summer dress uniform (size 10G) 

Yeah, quite expensive as we just recently bought them new sets, about AUD$40 each dress.

I couldn’t have a heart of throwing them away. I tried to sell them second-hand via Facebook Market place at AUD$5.00, and only two pieces remain at hand. No one’s going to buy it coz summer is over, and a new set of uniforms are needed for the winter season.

sustainable fashion
I checked the fabric, which is still in good condition, made of cotton and would be easy to sew. I decided to keep them and grabbed my sewing kit and started unstitching them.

thrifting old school uniform, sustainable fashion
thrifting old school uniform
thrifting old school uniform
thrifting old school uniform

I cut the upper part of the dress and unstitched the folds to unveil the actual size of the fabric. Then I allocate a 1-inch on the upper part and stitched them. This is where I will insert the elastic (or garter) as support.

thrifting old school uniform
Measure the elastic first based on my size surrounding my chest area. Then I insert it to the upper hem that I made.

thrifting old school uniform
The school uniforms have this belt at the back which I unstitched and turn it as sleeves for the new dress.

thrifting old school uniform
Then I grabbed the other dress, cut them in length and created ruffles to make my dress a bit longer below my knees. 

thrifting old school uniform
Me, feeling excited to finish the dress before dinner time!


And voila! Here’s the result of my boredom!


thrifting old school uniform
Using the leftover fabrics, I created a huge scrunchy to paired with this newly thrifted dress.


Of course, I couldn’t help but take it to the backyard and did my own photoshoot!

thrifting old school uniform
thrifting old school uniform
thrifting old school uniform


thrifting old school uniform


I hope you guys enjoy my thrifting tutorial!


I still have other old school uniforms waiting to be thrifted so stay tuned!


Happy Easter to everyone!


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129 comments :

  1. Wow. This one is really creative and resourceful. I also would like to try sewing although it needs passion and persistence.what you did is really awesome!

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  2. Very nice! its looks very neat! well done! I bet this quarantine period is serving you well..

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    1. Yeah, I am actually enjoying it. Well, I like indoors coz I got so many things to do that was on-hold when I do travel.

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  3. I love what you've done with it! Very creative.

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  4. Wow.. Absolutely love your new dress especially from collar to strappy dress make it look more comfortable.

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    1. Yeah, the girls couldn't believe I recycled their dresses. Pity they couldn't wear this new design at school.

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  5. Excellent thrifting project! Your DIY dress is so cute and it kept another garment out of the landfill. Bonus!

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    1. I agree! And it makes me happy that I created something good.

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  6. Wow! It turned out beautiful. One won't even know it was once a uniform except you tell them. This is so creative. Keep it up!

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  7. Such cute designs! I wish I could sew as I would love to save money and create my own designs.

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    Replies
    1. I learned sewing from grade school.. we have no TV or internet back them, and the fabrics scraps are my toys.

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  8. looks so cute! You are very crafty! very very adorable!

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    1. Thank you Lyosha! I have another uniform in my craft table under processing. Will share the result soon!

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  9. This is SO cute!!! You're so talented! And that dress is adorable on you!!

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  10. You are very talented. I have always wanted to sew, and then when I start a project, I absolutely hate it. I will stick to shopping, lol.

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    Replies
    1. I still shop (mostly from op-shops and vintage stores) and sometimes from high end stores if I found something that is worth spending.

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  11. That dress you made out of an old uniform is so cute!! I used to do the same with my old clothes when I was in college. Maybe I should try doing DIY again. Hehe! Thanks for sharing :)

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    1. DIY-ing my clothes gives me more connection to the clothes I wear. Now, every time I will wear this, it will remind me that this clothes had a good story.

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  12. Youre so creative and your efforts really help the environment.

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  13. The dress looks good on you! This inspires me to check out my old clothes and see which can be upcycled. It's been months since I bought some clothes. I think upcycling will help me in my journey to minimalist lifestyle.

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    Replies
    1. Yeah you should try it! One trick I do when I shop clothes is finding clothes that has good quality fabric, so that in case I can't wear them anymore, at least I can thrifted them.

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  14. Man I wish I could do something like that, what a cute dress you made. Thanks for sharing this friend!

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    1. Thank you dear! I saved those little fabric scraps, and will make a fluffy rug for our cat.

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  15. Supercute!
    I wish I was more creative like this, but I draw the line at cooking :P

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  16. This is such a genius idea!! Your dress is perfect for the summer too!!

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  17. Oh my gosh this is absolutely amazing. I love it!

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  18. Love the results of this DIY Transformations. This is such a cute spring dress.

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  19. Wow that turned out amazing! I wish I could use a sewing machine. I would love to be able to repurpose clothes!

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    Replies
    1. If you know basic hand sewing, you can do this too, but will takes you time.

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  20. Wow! That is incredible. You sure are creative and what a beautiful summer dress.

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    1. Thank you dear! This is just basic design... I need to learn more to create those 'runway-type' of dresses, lol

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  21. I love what you did with those pieces! You have such a great eye for both look and for what you can do with it.

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    1. Thank you Brianne, I just don't like wasting these old-fabric.

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  22. That is a really neat idea! I love to reuse and recycle anytime I can.

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  23. You did an amazing job! I love how creative you are. It's always fun to take something old and make it new.

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    1. At this time that I feel I want something new but I can't go out to shop, thrifting is the best idea.

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  24. You are gifted! Your ideas appeal to me for a number of reasons: why waste perfectly good cloths and why spend even more money (when you have something that can be re-designed).

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    1. Thank you Jules! Hey, it was a AUD$40 uniform and I can't throw it! Hahaha and besides, this print is always in-style.. classic :)

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  25. I really admire your talent here. Firstly to have the vision to see what could be done, and secondly to have the skill to execute the vision and turn it into reality. You did a fabulous job and it looks great on you.

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    1. Thank you Nicole! I'm just doing what I can to saving the environment.

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  26. Now that is definitely impressive and creative. you did an amazing job in transforming that uniform into a trendy attire

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    1. Thanks Nina! I am thinking of visiting the school wearing this, lol I'm not sure how the teachers will react :)

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  27. I think this looks absolutely amazing! I wish I had skills like that!

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  28. You're very crafty! Yes good thing thay is made out of cotton, easier to manipulate than silk :)

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  29. That is a really cute use of an older piece. Your new version is PERFECT for the spring weather!

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  30. my daughter has been interested in thrifting but it is quite impossible during this quarantine

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    Replies
    1. Why it is impossible? Unless she doesn't know how to sew even by hand.

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  31. This is super cool. I wonder where my old school uniform is.

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    1. awww mine was been inherited by other kids. These pairs are owned by my boyfriend's daughters.

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  32. Nice rework and it looks great on you! Thanks for sharing with us your projects and there are many useful tips in there. Keep it up! - Knycx Journeying

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  33. You've mad talent,hope you turn this into a carerc.

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  34. This is absolutely nice!! Making old things useful is a great idea!

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    Replies
    1. I love DIY-ing :) it gives me more respect on my clothes that I own and wear.

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  35. Such a cute dress! But the scrunchy definitely stole the show for me hehe :)

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  36. Ohh my...You are so talented & creative, love the way you upcycle your old clothes, very lovely dress :D I wish I can sew too just like you :D
    cheers, siennylovesdrawing

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    1. awww thank you Sienny! I started learning to sew using my barehand. It is a challenge and a little dangerous coz I don't know how many times I poke myself with needles! lol.

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  37. oh my world you are so talented ! what a trully fantastic idea , and nothing gone to waste ! so resourceful; kind regards pati robins @ style squeeze blog

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  38. I love this. You did a great job repurposing that uniform. Great tutorial.

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  39. Amazing! It looks beautiful, and looks perfect for easter, so freash and comfy. Great work!

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  40. I can't believe you could make a thrifty uniform into that outfit. You are so creative.

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    1. Thanks you Sarah! It is quite easy to recycle this fabric especially it is made of cotton. I'm grateful that the kids didn't stained their uniforms, hahaha.

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  41. you are so talented! i love it. actually i love the original dress too with the collar. but well done.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, the original dress looks cute, however it wouldn't fit me :)

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  42. Oh wow thats so creative! I never wouldve thought you could make a long dress out of a short one haha

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    Replies
    1. Apparently, the original dress had so many wide pleats on it. But I used two old uniforms to make it longer :)

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  43. You are very creative. You have made such a pretty dress from school uniforms. This dress is perfect for the summer.

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  44. Very creative, I like how you it turn out to be even better looking dress and can be just as useful as it was.

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    Replies
    1. thank you Fransic! It is perfect design for our weather in the Philippines.

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  45. Wow! This turned out great! I love it!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Wendy! I am inspired to create more DIY recently, this isolation isn't that bad after all.

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  46. What a cute dress! It looks so comfortable. I love your resourcefulness -- maybe I should check out my sewing machine again! Look forward to seeing your next creations!

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    1. Yeah you can create diy too! I am currently working on another school uniform (their old winter dress) which I am so excited to share here the results!

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  47. You have such a talent! I wish I could sew too.

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  48. Cool! You're really creative. Thanks for sharing this

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  49. I like the created in all the work you did to come up with that dress. Its good to have something to do in isolation.

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  50. I love the creativity behind that transformation. Its a nice dress. I hope you gave people the motivation to do their own crafting in isolation.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, hope they find motivation on learning how to sew and be crafty, especially not spending money easily on clothes.

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  51. I recommend this blog in general, it has always something worth following up and even if there are books you are not going to read, you will learn something new and may find books you never thought of reading

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  52. Wow, what a great way to take something old and make it new. Super cute dress! I wish had sewing skills like you!

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    1. Thank you dear! You can start learning now while in social distance.

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  53. What a cute dress idea. I have beautiful red check uniforms lying at home. Will try it.

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  54. It's cute! It looks like you'll go on a picnic. Great saving tip for those who have limited budget. Upcycling is the best way to save and also create new clothes.

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    1. yeah, I wear it during our little Easter egg hunting at the backyard :)

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  55. That's quite creative of you! The result looks absolutely amazing!

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  56. How nice of you to share your experience of crafting an old school dress into a new one

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  57. Replies
    1. It’s so nice how you can use your creativity to turn something old into something new. Also, I’m a female, lol. I know the name throws a lot of people off.

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  58. Wow! So nice! Imagine that, from an old school uniform you turned it into a nice summer dress, galing!

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    1. Hahaha thanks! The fabric is very comfy, saying naman kung itatapon lang namin. Hindi tinatanggap sa opshops yung old uniforms, kaya naisip ko I-recycle na lng.

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  59. Nice dress. It's a great blessing to be that creative.

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  60. What you did with the old school uniforms is amazing and creative. It's a good way utilising and conserving resources. You are quite creative.

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  61. Wow you seriously turned that uniform into such a cute outfit! Looks like something I would purchase at the mall! Beautiful!

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  62. Woww! Looks like you're spending a fruitful quarantine

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  63. I liked your dress. You did it very well nicely stitched. Dress looks really pretty on you.

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  64. You really have a good talent in sewing, I've seen your other post same as this. Super creative and resourceful.

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  65. I love this! It looks so cute <3 It's great that you were able to upcycle this uniform. I find that uniforms are often those pieces of clothings that are not wearable anymore after graduation, and they're also not good for donating huhu so they often end up as waste. But glad to see this transformation <3

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    1. That is true! Uniforms are useful when someone will inherit it, or else it becomes a waste. I still few white button down uniform shirts here that are waiting for my magic :)

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  66. This looks so good! I love how you transform old clothes and make an amazing new one! Perfect summer dress!

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  67. Wow... Amazing.. I hope i can be artistic as you are..😊 This helps a lot,.. Lalo na nga yang mga uniform,.. Pag di na magamit yung iba tinatapon na lang...

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    1. Ah I can relate. Lalo ngayon na homeschooling na at hindi required may uniform, sobrang sayang! And mahal pa naman ng uniforms nila.

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