Skip to Content

24+ Men’s button down shirt refashion ideas

Men's button down shirt refashion ideas

I love being a refashion blogger! Inspiring people to save shirts from the landfill is my favorite thing, and while I have bunches of refashion tutorials, I always enjoy seeing what other people are doing. I had a lot of fun curating this list of men’s button down shirt refashion ideas and I want to know which one is your favorite. Do you prefer refashioning men’s shirts for women? Or refashioning men’s shirts for kids? I have only done them for myself, so I guess I should make something for the kids soon!

If you are headed to the thrift store looking for men’s dress shirt to refashion, check out my thrifting tips for refashion sewing! Once you have your ‘before’, read my refashioning tips before you start sewing.

If you love refashioning, check out these other posts too!

Men’s button down shirt refashion ideas

Some of these include a tutorial and some are strictly inspiration with notes about construction in their blog posts.

Pin this list of men’s dress shirt refashion ideas, with this link and image:

See the most creative ways to refashion men's dress shirts into clothes for women and clothes for kids! Fun upcycle sewing tutorials to makeover a button down shirt and give it new life. #sewing #refashion #upcycle

Men’s button down shirt refashion ideas for women

Off the shoulder men’s shirt refashion from Hello Beautiful – this is such a unique neckline and looks like it belongs on a summer beach resort!

 

Two cool men’s button up to tank top refashions from Penny Sew Vintage – I would totally wear the darker blue one, it is so pretty!

Pretty lantern sleeve refashion from Sew Pomona – I thought this was a really creative take, with a super bold sleeve.

Super chic men’s flannel shirt to women’s vest refashion from Scratch and Stitch – a little different from a traditional dress shirt refashion but I think this is such a clever idea.

Men’s dress shirt refashion into a Scout Tee here at Swoodson Says – clearly I like this since I did it, haha, but it was so much fun to make.

Men’s button down shirt refashion to a wrap shirt from Heather Handmade – I think this is super creative, I like the addition of asymmetry. 

Men’s button down shirt refashion into a tank from @colleennie – simple but pretty, I liked seeing how using a pattern with darts changed the feel.

ruffle mens button down refashion

No tutorial but good visual inspiration, a ruffle-y refashion by @mrs.cholbrook

Men’s flannel to women’s jacket refashion from Scratch and Stitch – again, a little different from a 9-5 work shirt but I think it is a cool idea.

Funky painted button up shirt refashion from My Poppet – you don’t see painting too often, but this is fun and quirky.

Tank + men’s shirt refashion from Freckles in April – I could’ve used this last beach visit, I like the color blocked effect!

 

 

A post shared by Stephanie Miller (@mothermake) on

This is a really unique shape that I wanted to include, just a totally different refashion vibe.

Not pictured:

Men’s button down shirt refashion ideas for kids

Simple dress out of Dad’s shirt tutorial from Mother Make – super simple but darling.

Men’s button down shirt to girl’s tunic refashion from Candice Ayala – I love the little details on this, definitely inspiring to start refashioning!

Men’s button down shirt refashion into a baby romper at Heather Handmade – so stinking cute, this is a really clever way to refashion a man’s button down shirt.

Suspender skirt refashion from a men’s button down shirt at Mother Make – Perfect for tweens, I love this clever suspender skirt refashion.

Men’s dress shirt refashion to girl’s romper at Heather Handmade – I can’t believe this is from a man’s shirt! Perfect opportunity to reuse those buttons, and it turns out super cute. [2024 edit note – this post appears to be gone, leaving it up for visual inspiration]

Men’s dress shirt to girl’s dress refashion at Delia Creates – I think the placement of the details is beautiful on this, click through to see how she does it.

Men’s dress shirt refashion to boys joggers at Mother Make – these are so comfy, my kids would both wear them for sure!

Men’s dress shirt to girl’s lace detail dress at Candice Ayala – I wanted to include a visual for adding lace or other embellishments to your refashion, and this is an adorable example.

mens shirt to kid pants upcycle

My favorite part about this upcycle is the cuffs on the pants! Shared with permission from Sólveig Íris Sigurðardóttir, find their instagram here and their sewing shop here!

dress to shirt to girls dress upcycle

The lace is such a sweet add-on to this upcycle, shared with permission from Sólveig Íris Sigurðardóttir, find their instagram here and their sewing shop here!

ruffle dress shirt refashion

Another idea with fun little ruffles and buttons to the back, shared with permission from Sólveig Íris Sigurðardóttir, find their instagram here and their sewing shop here!

(not pictured)

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Cathi

Sunday 5th of August 2018

What a great collection of creative ideas! Us makers rock :) Thanks for including mine too.

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Saturday 22nd of September 2018

Thanks for letting me share your project!

Gina

Friday 3rd of August 2018

I'm totally going to need to dye one now! I love your tie dyed top refashion!

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Friday 3rd of August 2018

Thanks for letting me share your refashion :) Dye is so much fun!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.