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Before-and-after photos show how a blogger transforms thrift-store clothes into stylish outfits
Before-and-after photos show how a blogger transforms thrift-store clothes into stylish outfits
Celia FernandezJul 22, 2020, 22:58 IST
Jillian Owens has been transforming thrift-store clothes for 10 years.Jillian Owens/ReFashionista
Ten years ago, Jillian Owens started "ReFashionista," a blog dedicated to the thrift-store clothing she transforms into brand-new looks.
The 38-year-old South Carolina native started working with clothing from thrift stores as a way to save money and to avoid buying from fast-fashion retailers.
Owens told Insider she was in a creative funk around the time she started her blog, so transforming clothing was a fun outlet and allowed her to really cultivate her own style and look.
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Jillian Owens is a digital marketing strategist and blogger who lives in South Carolina with her husband and two dogs.
Owens said she bought this satin lapel dress for $1.
Jillian Owens/ReFashionista
Owens taught herself how to sew by checking out a couple of books from the library.
Owens said she turned this dress into a top because she wanted something different to add to her closet.
Jillian Owens / ReFashionista
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Owens looks for cheap deals at thrift stores, consignment shops, and yard sales.
Owens dyed this $1 dress before transforming it into a top.
Jillian Owens/ReFashionista
Buying items that only cost $1 means Owens is able to go a bit wild when she's shopping.
Owens dyed this $1 dress blue before transforming it completely.
Jillian Owens/ReFashionista
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Owens looks for items she feels are super dated and that people probably won't buy.
Owens transformed this $1 dress by dyeing it and sewing it.
Jillian Owens/ReFashionista
It can take Owens anywhere from 30 minutes to six hours to transform a piece of clothing.
This dress originally cost $1.
Jillian Owens/ReFashionista
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Over the years, Owens estimates she's transformed anywhere from 800 to 1,000 outfits.
Owens was inspired by a Zara dress she saw for sale when transforming this dress.
Jillian Owens/ReFashionista
Once she's done wearing them, Owens will take her transformations and donate them to different organizations.
Owens transformed this dress by taking it apart first.
Jillian Owens
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Owens said she came across one of the outfits she transformed at a local consignment shop.
Owens reconfigured this dress by flipping the bottom upside down and repurposing the slits as armholes.
Jillian Owens/ReFashionista
Owens' favorite part of the transformation is seeing what her final product looks like.
This was another dress that Owens found at a thrift store for $1.
Jillian Owens/ReFashionista
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Since starting ReFashionista, Owens said she's humbled by the number of people who come across her blog, and how many have been loyal from day one.
Owens loved this transformation so much that she wore it for a night out with friends.
Jillian Owens/ReFashionista
Ultimately, Owens' goal is to change the way people think about fashion and style.
Owens took a sleeve from this dress to make the one-shoulder strap.
Jillian Owens/ReFashionista
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Owens also shares her thrift-store transformations on Instagram.
The original find was actually two pieces before Owens made it one dress.
Jillian Owens/ReFashionista