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Plain, boring tees may have little place in a true fashionista's wardrobe, but that doesn't mean they have to go entirely to waste. Rather than kicking these dull duds to the curb, DIY divas can create totally fierce, trendy designs by refashioning their basic T-shirts into new shapes. No experience sewing? No problem. T-shirt material doesn't fray when cut, so all a girl needs to change her look is a good pair of scissors and a little style savvy.
At the Cuff of Style
One of the easiest ways to transform the look of a plain tee is to change its sleeve style. T-shirts, especially if they're of a basic crewneck type, typically feature boxy sleeves that are just a little too long to be trendy. Trimming off even just a little of this length can improve its look tenfold. New sleeve options include cutting them off entirely at the armhole for a tank top look, leaving just a few inches for a babydoll tee and cutting at an angle from the underarm seam to the sleeve top for a cap-sleeve look.
Get Caught Necking
Regular crew necklines can be boring and aren't flattering on every fashionable femme. Crewnecks hide the collarbone and can mask shoulder definition. If you're not that into the neck style of your tee tops, simply snip away the style to get the shape you like. Once the ribbed crew collar is cut away, there's no need to worry about unraveling threads. You can turn your T-shirt neckline into a universally flattering V-neck, a feminine scoop or boat neck, a sassy off-the-shoulder style or a pretty square neck.
Take It Up a Notch
The length of simple tees can sometimes be questionable, especially if you're looking at an oversized band or graphic T-shirt. Unless you're planning on turning your tees into tunics or dresses, you'll want to raise some hemlines. Not every top needs to be midriff-baring if that's not your flavor, but cutting off a few inches can make the difference between fitted and frumpy. For an asymmetrical look, trim your hems at a soft, curving angle.
Bare the Best
No matter how much a girl restyles the shape, some tees can still seem far too plain. Rather than jumping into jewel-stamping or screen-printing to fill in those bare spots, however, you can create cute cutout shapes that let you show a little skin. A few well-placed holes at the sides of a fitted tee, one large cutout shape that exposes the upper back and a series of long, horizontal rips that hang down the whole back can be sexy.
