Upcycle a thrifted men’s shirt has become such a huge trend lately, and honestly I love it! There is something so satisfying about taking a piece of clothing that might otherwise be overlooked and turning it into something cute and wearable again.
Recently I shared a fun thrifted sweatshirt upcycle project that I made with my granddaughter, and it inspired me to try another clothing makeover. If you missed that project, you can see it here:
Seeing how excited she was about transforming something old into something new reminded me just how much I enjoy sewing and creating
So I headed to the thrift store and picked up a simple men’s button-down shirt to experiment with. The result? A shortened top with a darling ruffle collar that feels completely updated and perfect for layering.
Before I show you how to make it, I should mention that this isn’t my first time repurposing clothing. Many years ago (can you believe it was 17 years ago?) I made this same granddaughter baby shoes and a denim skirt from a pair of infant jeans! Time flies. If you want to see that project you can find it here.
Now my grandkids are growing up, but the creativity and sewing projects continue with them—and I love every minute of it.
Here’s exactly how I upcycled a thrifted men’s shirt into a ruffle collar top.
Supplies for This Thrifted Shirt Upcycle
- Thrifted men’s button-down shirt
- Sewing machine
- Fabric scissors or rotary cutter
- Straight pins
- Thread
That’s it! This project is simple and perfect even if you are newer to sewing.
If you enjoy creative fashion ideas, be sure to check out some of my casual summer outfits for women over 50 and my capsule wardrobe ideas for women over 50. I love sharing what has worked for me and hope it gives you ideas..
Step 1: Remove the Original Collar
Start by cutting the collar off along the seam line so the collar area opens up.
If there is any extra interfacing or thick fabric inside the seam, simply trim it away so the edge is smooth and clean.
Step 2: Shorten the Shirt
Next, decide how cropped you want your top to be.
I like to cut the shirt just above the last button, but you can adjust the length depending on your preference.
Don’t throw away the fabric you just removed—you will use it to make the ruffle!
Step 3: Create the Ruffle Collar Piece
Take the fabric you cut from the bottom of the shirt.
Using scissors, cut along the raw edge in a slightly swooping angle so the piece becomes about 2 inches wide with a gentle curved shape.
This is a photo before I cut it down to about 2″ wide. Keep the rounded angle when you cut it.
This will help create a soft ruffled look when it is sewn into the collar area.
Step 4: Pin the Ruffle Into the Collar
Now it’s time to attach the ruffle.
- Start by pinning one end of the fabric inside the collar opening.
- Pin the other end on the opposite side.
- Add a pin in the middle.
- Continue adding pins between each section.
As you pin, gently gather the fabric to create ruffles all the way around the collar.
Step 5: Sew the Ruffle Collar
Using your sewing machine, sew along the edge of the collar seam.
Make sure the ruffles stay tucked inside the seam as you sew.
And just like that… your new ruffle collar is finished!
I made a second shirt using this striped thrifted mens shirt. So dang cute!
Step 6: Hem the Bottom
To finish the top, hem the bottom edge.
Simply fold the raw edge under about ¼ inch, roll it once, and sew along the edge with your machine.
Now the shirt looks polished and complete.
Styling Your Upcycled Shirt
This little makeover turns a basic thrifted shirt into something completely different.
You can wear it:
- As a lightweight summer jacket over a tank top
- Buttoned up as a cute cropped blouse
- Layered with jeans, shorts, or skirts
Need outfit inspiration? See my favorite what to wear with white jeans or My journey with denim.
There are also lots of ways you could customize it even further.
Some ideas I’m thinking about:
- Shortening the sleeves and adding ruffles to the cuffs
- Replacing the buttons with something fun or vintage
- Adding embroidery or trim
Upcycling clothing is such a creative way to save money, reduce waste, and create something unique.
And honestly, projects like this remind me why I love sewing so much.
Final Thoughts on Upcycling Thrifted Clothing
Turning a thrifted men’s shirt into a stylish ruffle collar top is surprisingly simple and such a fun creative project.
Whether you are sewing with your grandchildren, experimenting with thrift store finds, or just looking for a creative afternoon project, upcycling clothing is a wonderful way to make something new from something old.
Who knows… you might just discover your next favorite top hiding on a thrift store rack.
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When you cut off the men’s collar, it looks like the edges you attach the ruffle to are unfinished. Do you turn them under to
make that looked finished?
Hi Jennifer, Thank you for asking. The ruffle edge where I gathered the fabric sits inside the opening of where the collar used to be. It is not finished edges because of where I cut off the collar. It lays nicely and a few rough edges adds to the finished look. Hope that makes sense?
Karin 🙂