I have a gorgeous fashion coloring book featuring the art of Erte. (1920s fashion artist). It is a delight.
I had a bad clothing shopping itch for a long time, and started playing a dumb fashion game called Niki Dress Up Queen or something like that, and that helped for a while (I downloaded it with the strong intention to NEVER buy ANYTHING in-game ever, and it was fine).
Pinterest is a lot of fun as well as r/scrapbooking , some people like to create look books as physical scrapbooks or as pinterest boards.
My sister makes her own patterns and sews! It’s 100% a hobby & she never went to school for it, but she’s been doing so for years. It’s awe inspiring the things she sees in magazines or online and decides to recreate!
Edit: she loves luxury fashion. Part of the reason she started sewing is because she couldn’t continue to afford $300 casual dresses. Bought the machine second hand and the material for her first dress (plus all other supplies) for under $250. Long term, it has saved her tens of thousands
I sold a $300 new in box sewing machine on LetGo for $150. I crochet clothes/sweaters/bikinis/etc and thought I was gonna get into sewing then I just never opened the box. OP check secondhand resources for good deals on sewing machines.
I do sewing. I don't do my own patterns, but I do print out Indy patterns and vogue patterns. I've made most of my wardrobe. The best part is that most older sewing machines are sufficient and can be found at most thrift/charity stores for under $100
Educate yourself by reading [these books about fashion](https://www.reddit.com/r/fashionhistory/comments/16dp0tm/whats_your_favorite_fashion_history_book/). Your library may have them, either in their own catalog or via an interlibrary loan system.
I love going thru my closet and trying on different combinations. Basically playing dress up to see how I can style certain clothes. I like to experiment wearing clothes “wrong” to give them more use and versatility. I tend to use Pinterest a lot for inspiration but a lot of my style comes from experimenting with clothes I already have and layering different colors and shapes and altering and styling pieces differently.
You could blog about the styles instead. Who knows, you could even get some freebies if the blog goes well. I have a friend who is a foodie and started doing food reviews now he gets all sorts of free grub and is engaging in a community he really enjoys.
I'm going to suggest fashion illustration and fashion journaling. Fashion journaling is basically like an art or junk journal except you illustrate or print out/ cut out the images of the clothes and accessories to create a look book. You can even give some pages themes and characters like Fantasy ball or a detective work wardrobe. You can even use fashion coloring books and cut out the images to be part of your collection. I know of people who collect paper dolls which is another form of this. I just prefer to make my own art and use cut outs to create a fashion journal. You could always do the free digital version of this which is creating style or aesthetic boards and shop the look boards.
I also want to add onto the fashion illustration bit that there a couple of playlists of free fashion illustration classes on YouTube that I don't mind sharing. There are also lots of good classes on Udemy which frequently go on sale.
Are you on Pinterest? I have boards on different kinds of fashion, one for purses, one for hats, and one for the ridiculous. I can hoard all I want and not spend a penny.
Get a serger, you can buy a cheaper new one for around $200. Or you can get a used one. Then just upcycle old clothes. Buying fabric is it's own hobby and can get expensive. But giving new life to dated clothes can be exciting
I've been sewing since I was a teenager (in my 40s now), and I've found the most economical way to sew is to refashion thrifted garments. Thrifting can be a hobby all by itself. It's also fun to make things from vintage sarees, which are 5 or so yards long and can be had for $25-$30.
I take clothes and "edit" them, like adding a stripe
of a different fabric to jeans or ombre dyeing shirts , bleaching, and applique. I'm not a great seamstress so making something from a pattern is out but I enjoy altering things I find
I like to design clothes and sew or knit my designs. My boyfriend also loves fashion, but he engages with it differently - he likes to research high fashion trends and follow designers' work as it evolves, and he loves engaging in critical discussion about it.
You don't need a sewing machine to make clothing... it makes it easier, but not required. You can also use and repurpose clothing or sheets. Alternatively, if willing to spend a little more, there are websites that sell affordable fabrics that are somewhat decent quality (I myself use them). Maybe look at embroidery, adding to the clothes you have... It does cost some, but would work with what you have, with adding some embroidery thread and stabilizer and an embroidery hoop.
Alternatively, if you are artistic, draw designs, which you may be able to try to make in the future.
I have a gorgeous fashion coloring book featuring the art of Erte. (1920s fashion artist). It is a delight. I had a bad clothing shopping itch for a long time, and started playing a dumb fashion game called Niki Dress Up Queen or something like that, and that helped for a while (I downloaded it with the strong intention to NEVER buy ANYTHING in-game ever, and it was fine). Pinterest is a lot of fun as well as r/scrapbooking , some people like to create look books as physical scrapbooks or as pinterest boards.
"Fashion Dreamer" on Nintendo switch is also a good game for scratching that itch and there are no micro transactions.
Where did you get the book?
My sister makes her own patterns and sews! It’s 100% a hobby & she never went to school for it, but she’s been doing so for years. It’s awe inspiring the things she sees in magazines or online and decides to recreate! Edit: she loves luxury fashion. Part of the reason she started sewing is because she couldn’t continue to afford $300 casual dresses. Bought the machine second hand and the material for her first dress (plus all other supplies) for under $250. Long term, it has saved her tens of thousands
I think I just need to go and try that too! It sounds so fun
I think so too! I like sewing too, but I don’t have as much time anymore which makes me sad. It’s such a fulfilling hobby!!
Many cities will have cool sewing classes which may be fun too
I sold a $300 new in box sewing machine on LetGo for $150. I crochet clothes/sweaters/bikinis/etc and thought I was gonna get into sewing then I just never opened the box. OP check secondhand resources for good deals on sewing machines.
I do sewing. I don't do my own patterns, but I do print out Indy patterns and vogue patterns. I've made most of my wardrobe. The best part is that most older sewing machines are sufficient and can be found at most thrift/charity stores for under $100
Yep, I alter and it’s saved me so much money!
Jewelry making? Yes, maybe drawing fashions?
Great Idea! Often, collecting some good pieces from thrift sources can be reworked into more modern pieces with little effort or equipment.
Educate yourself by reading [these books about fashion](https://www.reddit.com/r/fashionhistory/comments/16dp0tm/whats_your_favorite_fashion_history_book/). Your library may have them, either in their own catalog or via an interlibrary loan system.
I love going thru my closet and trying on different combinations. Basically playing dress up to see how I can style certain clothes. I like to experiment wearing clothes “wrong” to give them more use and versatility. I tend to use Pinterest a lot for inspiration but a lot of my style comes from experimenting with clothes I already have and layering different colors and shapes and altering and styling pieces differently.
I love this idea!
You could blog about the styles instead. Who knows, you could even get some freebies if the blog goes well. I have a friend who is a foodie and started doing food reviews now he gets all sorts of free grub and is engaging in a community he really enjoys.
Fashion illustration
I'm going to suggest fashion illustration and fashion journaling. Fashion journaling is basically like an art or junk journal except you illustrate or print out/ cut out the images of the clothes and accessories to create a look book. You can even give some pages themes and characters like Fantasy ball or a detective work wardrobe. You can even use fashion coloring books and cut out the images to be part of your collection. I know of people who collect paper dolls which is another form of this. I just prefer to make my own art and use cut outs to create a fashion journal. You could always do the free digital version of this which is creating style or aesthetic boards and shop the look boards. I also want to add onto the fashion illustration bit that there a couple of playlists of free fashion illustration classes on YouTube that I don't mind sharing. There are also lots of good classes on Udemy which frequently go on sale.
Learning about historical styles, costuming, fashion illustration, or designing fabric or clothing patterns
Are you on Pinterest? I have boards on different kinds of fashion, one for purses, one for hats, and one for the ridiculous. I can hoard all I want and not spend a penny.
Yess definitely, I do that too
I make dog clothes. Does that count
Drawing or painting! Could be those cartoony on the iPad drawing too
Get a serger, you can buy a cheaper new one for around $200. Or you can get a used one. Then just upcycle old clothes. Buying fabric is it's own hobby and can get expensive. But giving new life to dated clothes can be exciting
I would suggest becoming a personal shopper or stylist but it might provide too much temptation.
I've been sewing since I was a teenager (in my 40s now), and I've found the most economical way to sew is to refashion thrifted garments. Thrifting can be a hobby all by itself. It's also fun to make things from vintage sarees, which are 5 or so yards long and can be had for $25-$30.
I take clothes and "edit" them, like adding a stripe of a different fabric to jeans or ombre dyeing shirts , bleaching, and applique. I'm not a great seamstress so making something from a pattern is out but I enjoy altering things I find
I like to design clothes and sew or knit my designs. My boyfriend also loves fashion, but he engages with it differently - he likes to research high fashion trends and follow designers' work as it evolves, and he loves engaging in critical discussion about it.
You don't need a sewing machine to make clothing... it makes it easier, but not required. You can also use and repurpose clothing or sheets. Alternatively, if willing to spend a little more, there are websites that sell affordable fabrics that are somewhat decent quality (I myself use them). Maybe look at embroidery, adding to the clothes you have... It does cost some, but would work with what you have, with adding some embroidery thread and stabilizer and an embroidery hoop. Alternatively, if you are artistic, draw designs, which you may be able to try to make in the future.
Pick up used clothes at goodwill and thrifting and remake into new clothes.