10 TikTok fashion hacks to streamline getting dressed

This is your sign to give your clothing a second chance.

I’ll admit, I’m guilty of clothes hoarding. As an avid vintage shopper, my philosophy is ‘I see it, I like it, I want it, I got it.’ Or at least it used to be. We’ve all felt the weight of the cost of living crisis upon us and tapping my card hasn’t brought me as much joy as of late. So whether by choice or by circumstance, I’ve started streamlining my wardrobe to make use of what I already own.

For more fashion news, shoots, articles and features, head to our Fashion section.

While this didn’t come naturally at first, I decided to kick-start my learning by implementing a clothes-buying ban for my New Year’s resolution. During this time, I found TikTok to be super helpful for learning and implementing new fashion hacks to help me get the most out of my wardrobe. Here are ten of my favourites

The shoelace hack

@lisarosii_ Get Ready With Me 🤍 Links are on my Insta Story (Lisarosi) ✨ #outfitinspo #winteroutfit #getreadywithme #outfit #fashion ♬ House On Fire – Mimi Webb

If you own a pair of shoes, chances are you’ll own shoelaces. These beauties are capable of so much more than keeping your shoes on your feet. I’m a lover of baggy jumpers – if it’s two sizes too big, I’m sold – but there always comes a time when I need the perfect cropped length for those flattering high-wasted bottoms I own.

For this hack, place your favourite baggy jumper on and simply tie the shoelace over the jumper at your preferred height (I always go around my waist). Now, pull upwards until the jumper slouches over the shoelace, covering it up. Voila! You’ve got two jumpers for the price of one.

The ribbon hack for strapless shoes

@graceffordee She a solutionz girl 👩‍🌾 #platforms #ribbons #shoes #platformshoes #viviennewestwood #diy #create #craft #pinterest #pinterestaesthetic ♬ original sound – C👽

Speaking of keeping your shoes on your feet, a personal pet peeve of mine is when my feet slip out of strapless shoes. It’s fine if you’ve got the perfect-fitting shoe (a rare find) but for those like me who like to size up in heels to account for swelling on a night out (you’re welcome), this hack might just be for you.

All you need is a ribbon and a cute pair of slip-on heels. What you’re going to do is place the ribbon at the base of the shoe, right under the arch of your foot. Make sure you have enough length to wrap over and around your foot once before securing it in a bow or knot at the top of your foot. You could even secure it in a criss-cross fashion around your ankle for added support (also, balletcore). Genius.

Ankle-strap ribbons

@fashioninflux Tip for styling basic heels 🖤 #styletip #diyfashion #refashion #fashiontip #fashionhacks #basicstyle #fashiontiktok ♬ Hrs and Hrs – Muni Long

With the coquette aesthetic trending on TikTok, my FYP page has been flooded with ribbons. Another variation of the ribbon-heel hack, this can transform a basic pair of pumps. Take some satin ribbon, place it over your big toe and crisscross it underneath. Pull the ribbon up and place your foot in your pump with the ribbon ends firmly secured in each hand.

Pull the ribbon up until it’s in line with your ankle, crisscross the ribbon at the back of your ankle near your Achilles heel, then bring the ribbons forward to repeat or tie at the front depending on your preferred look. This one is a little tricky to wrap your head around, but once you’ve mastered it, consider your shoe collection transformed.

Easy blazer hack

@miss__rosierose How to Make your blazer a cropped blazer #howto #blackgirlmagic #stylehacks #styletips #fashionhacksforgirl #fashionhacks #fashionhackstutorial #fashionhacksforgirl #styletips #fashiontiktok #croppedblazer #fashiontrends2022 ♬ SZA – Remix – Kidtendo!

Now that you’ve mastered the shoelace hack for cropped jumpers, it’s time to step up your game. The Djerf Avenue girlies know an oversized blazer is an absolute game-changer for your wardrobe, but why not get the most out of your money? To adjust your oversized blazer for a more tailored, cropped look, all you need is a belt and some patience.

Place the blazer on your body, securing only the bottom two buttons. Next, reach down to the bottom hem of the blazer and pull it in and up, to waist height, turning the blazer inside-out. Now, grab a belt and secure it firmly at your waist. Roll the excess fabric down over the belt, place your arms back through your blazer sleeves and pull the blazer up and over your shoulders again, securing any excess buttons.

A basic singlet, two ways

@bobrownn TOP 3 TOP HACKS for SPRING (& Summer) girls 😱🌸 👀 Follow for daily #fashioninspo and #womenswear #springoutfit #fashionhacks #stylinghacks #tophacks #top #spring ♬ Bel Mecy Milkshake BYNX Edit – BYNX

I know the last thing any of us are thinking about during this freezing Melbourne winter is a spaghetti-strap singlet, but save this two-for-one hack in your back pocket for the coming warmer weather. For the first hack, take your spaghetti strap tanktop and cross the straps over one another.

Holding the crossed straps in one hand, you’re going to rotate the tanktop until it’s the wrong way up (I promise we’re going somewhere with this). Place your head and arms through your crossed straps and pull downwards until the fabric is covering your chest, making a cute tube top with criss-cross detailing at the bottom.

For a different iteration of this look, put your arm through one of the straps and pull it up until it’s resting on your shoulder. Now that half the top is inside-out, you’re gonna pull this side down to create a bikini shape on one side and pull the other side down to be level with the first side. Now, your crisscross tube top is a bikini top with a twist.

Racerback tank to bandeau

@bobrownn Replying to @Daily nb – CREATE A BANDEAU (cropped top) by using a plain ‘tanktop’ girls 💗 SAVE FOR SUMMER 😱 & hit the + for daily #stylinghacks & #fashionhacks 💗 #tophack #top #stylingtips ♬ OUT NOW Enzo Smooth Operator – Enzo

Now, put your spaghetti-strap singlet away and pull out your racerback tank. Turn the singlet inside-out and rotate it until the bottom is facing up. Pull down over your head, straps first (basically, you’re putting this top on upside down). Now, grab a strapless bra and secure it over the tank top. Pull the sleeves upwards over the bra and tuck in any excess straps. You should be left with a bandeau-style tube top.

Bodysuit to asymmetrical top

@doranellyspatton Bodysuit hack! #fashionhacks #styletips #FilmTeyvatIslands #fashiontiktok #fashiontiktok ♬ Beat Automotivo Tan Tan Tan Viral – WZ Beat

I have an easier one for you (exhale of relief). Simply take your bodysuit and unclip it at the bottom (this hack needs the clip/button detailing to work). Turn it around, put your legs through the armholes (we are now contortionists) and pull it up to secure the bodysuit over one shoulder for an asymmetrical look.

Trouser loophole

@callmetarver Fashion Hacks | Pants too big? Don’t worry I got you👌🏽 #fashionhacks #stylehacks #jeans #fashiontricks #fashiontiktok ♬ Sunny Day – Ted Fresco

Who else has fallen victim to the low-rise trend? Raise your hand. Y2K fashion took over TikTok and I’m not mad about it. However, on the days when I feel like I need a little more coverage, I use this hack to transform my low-rise pants into a high-waisted look.

This one is easy – all you need to do is loop your trouser button through the first belt loop (or both for an extra-snatched look). Now, with the button looped securely through your belt loop, you simply button the pants up as normal. Instant transformation!

Long-sleeve top to asymmetrical singlet

@katyasounds Replying to @Melissa🤍💋 here’s your tutorial!! let me know if you have any questions or if you try it out!! 🤍💫 #longsleeveshirthack #longsleevetophack #longsleeveshirt #longsleevetop #longsleevetoptutorial #rewearyourclothes #upcycledfashion #fashiontiktok #fashionhacks #fashiondiy #fashioninspo #fashiontutorial #howtotiktok #fy ♬ Hot In Herre Remix ft Azealia Banks – 🧜🏾‍♀️

If you haven’t already seen this hack on your FYP, you’re missing out. All you need is a long sleeved-top. Fold over the neckline, place it against your chest and toss one loose sleeve over your shoulder.

Take the other sleeve and bring it around your waist, making a single tie at the back – this is going to be the first of three knots. Now, take the top corner of the bottom hem and tie it to the longest sleeve at the back – this is the second knot. Finally, take both sleeves in your hand and tie them together at the back for a sleek, asymmetrical look.

Despite the many tears of frustration, these little hacks have helped to transform not only my wardrobe but my way of thinking about clothing. With almost 80 per cent of unwanted textiles now ending up in landfill, we are all accountable for minimising our fashion waste.

I’ve found so much joy and satisfaction in knowing I’m getting my money’s worth from the clothes that I own, and it helps to know I’m contributing in some small way to reduce my own fashion waste in pursuit of a more sustainable wardrobe. This is your sign to give your clothing a second chance.

Find new ways to extend the life of your wardrobe here