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!
- 13+ thrift store dress refashion tutorials
- 21+ blazer and coat refashion ideas
- 13+ ways to refashion a plain t-shirt
- All of my refashion sewing tutorials are listed here
- Modern books on refashioning
- 15+ sweater refashions to recycle old sweaters into new clothes!
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:
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.
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!
This is a really unique shape that I wanted to include, just a totally different refashion vibe.
Not pictured:
- A cute milkmaid top made by The Mindful Sewist.
- Love the bow on this feminine refashion by Evelyn Wood.
- This handpainted camisole refashion is realllly pretty, from Crafty Professor.
- Super creative, sheer refashion from Tiffany Michey.
- High-necked, ruffle tank refashion from Isabel Makes.
- I really like the shape of this shirt refashion from Sum of Their Stories.
- Super feminine update by Sandra Refashionista.
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.
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!
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!
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)
- Men’s shirt to girl’s pinafore refashion at Life Is Beautiful – A classic pinafore that looks super cute in upcycled fabric.
- A button down shift dress, I love the bodice, from @abwmakes
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!