Almost everyone has that one thing in their closet–that item that’s perfect in every way except for the fit, or that has incredible fabric but isn’t versatile enough to wear more than once a year, or that you were inexplicably drawn to in the store despite the fact that it doesn’t seem to go with anything else you own. These things exist in what I call “closet limbo,” a kind of purgatory where clothes we don’t know what to do with but can’t bear to part with hang out for eternity–or at least until something intervenes. That something might be Reissued Style–a service that reworks old clothes into custom-designed pieces, born out of designer Felicia Zivkovic’s decision to turn her hobby of reworking old clothes into more than just a side hustle. (Recently, she also added another component to the business–Upcycled by Reissued, a collection of one-of-a-kind pieces sewn locally with heirloom textiles and dead stock fabric). Felicia’s philosophy is focused on promoting sustainability and cutting down on mindless consumerism by extending the life of things you already own–a.k.a. things that might be languishing in closet limbo. Below, three members of Team MR take the service for a spin in honor of Second-Hand Week.
Mikaela’s Candy Striper Uniform Was Transformed Into a Cottagecore Dream
Background on the original piece: The original dress was from a really tiny vintage shop in Cobble Hill, and I’m pretty sure it’s an old candy striper uniform! I fell absolutely in love with it when I saw it, but wore it about two times over the course of two years. It just needed something, but I couldn’t put my finger on what.
Why you wanted to breathe new life into it: As much as I loved the print, cotton fabric, and big pockets, it was just ill-fitting! The elastic was kind of in an unflattering spot given the length of the hem, so I was really keen to see what it would look like elongated and tailored to fit me better.
Thoughts on the end result: I love it. And it arrived just in time for me to feel included in the cottagecore resurgence :). Styling will be a good challenge for me, especially with these white organza sleeves (muy elegante!), but I’m up for the task. I feel like I can still rock my tennies with it (the Air Maxes from every style story I’ve ever been in—you know the ones!). This time I went full countryside with black cowboy boots, but I’m itching to see what it’d look like prepped up, with loafers and layered under a sweater vest. The possibilities are endless.