Recut The Neckline
Again, a lot of fabrics can be cut without fraying. I test an inside seam, and if I’m good to go, and if it’s not unraveling, I just cut a scoop shape into what was previously a high-necked item. (Don’t mess with cutting it into a V — that shape usually takes some reinforcement to hold up.) Or sometimes, I just remove the collar. I try to look at a piece for its component parts, and ask myself what it would look like with each removed.

Most important though, is the psychology of all of this. You have to trust your judgment and cut carefully and deliberately, but not worry too much about screwing it up. After all, this is what’s great about thrift shopping: The cost is low, and even if your alterations go awry, you’ve invested fairly little. Cut that dress too short? You can probably recast it as a shirt. Neckline too low? You can layer a slip or tank under it. And so on. Worst-case scenario? You’ve got the cutest cleaning rags of anyone you know.

Photographed by Shanita Sims