Tips for when the item you love breaks down

Hey, Style Slayers — Happy Moda Monday!

Welcome Inside the Closet! In this edition, we’re sharing 1 quest, 2 tips, and 3 looks to help you embrace your unique style superpowers — Let’s step in! 👇

1 Quest for you to try

This week, I invite you to explore the idea of repairing, reviving, and reimagining. We’ve all been there: you finally found that perfect gem—the jacket that fits like a hug, the boots that boost your confidence, the vintage tee that tells a story—and then… it breaks or starts to break down. A rip here, a stain there. A worn-out sole that causes you to trip down the stairs (I may or may not be speaking from experience). Cue the frustration!
But here’s the part where you get creative: when your favorite item falters, it doesn’t have to mean the end…this is the deeper meaning behind the phrase “Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Recycle”—because sustainability isn’t just about buying secondhand, it’s about extending the life of what we already love!

How to participate

  1. Choose: Find one item in your wardrobe that’s damaged, no longer worn, or nearly on its last legs.
  2. Create: Give it a second life! Repair it, upcycle it, or re-style it in a fresh way. Add patches, alter the silhouette, dye it—whatever fits the garment needs and your style, so you’ll get to enjoy it in a new-to-you way!
  3. Capture: Share your outfit with #VostraModaQuest, or reply to this email with your entry.

The most inspiring outfit will be featured next week! Please let me know if you would like to remain anonymous.

2 Tips to help you slay

For this week’s quest, I’ve chosen to share about the yellow skirt I upcycled last winter. While the ideas I had for styling it were fun, I never actually wore it. Why? Because realistically, I’m still getting comfortable with wearing SO much color at once, especially a bright yellow on such a full maxi skirt. I decided to upcycle this skirt by dying it a dark green for a holiday-inspired cosplay, but also as a day-to-day option – and guess who started wearing it more often?! I even wore it to the ballet with my mom!

Your item revival could be something as simple as finally fixing the button on your favorite summer shirt, or re-gluing the sole of your boot back on (for the second time… le sigh…). Use this opportunity to play around and reimagine what you can do with those pieces that need some extra love in order to wear them again!

Our style suggestions

  1. Upcycle with intention if you don’t think a simple fix is the solution. Missing an earring from your set? Turn it into a pendant instead! Sweater to frayed to come back from? Repurpose your cozy knit to become a cozy hat instead. Get creative when asking yourself, “What could this item become instead?”
  2. Seek support from an expert if you either don’t have the skillset to do what you’d like, such as seeing a cobbler if your shoes need some serious repairs or seeing a tailor or seamstress if you don’t have the time for adjustments, like hemming those pants that are becoming frayed (and you don’t want them to be). The end goal is still walking away with an item you love and ACTUALLY getting to wear it again!
Bri shows off the before color of her yellow skirt, and the upcycled after photo when she dyed it a dark green to better fit into her wardrobe and become an item she'll wear more often, especially during the holiday season!

3 Looks for you to shop

Upgrade your wardrobe with just one click! Shop these fresh looks to trend the multiverse and never go out of style.

The Mr.

The mr fashion flatlay featuring an upcycled item - this mixed materials fleece combines the comfort of a sweater with a bold stripe of floral print running from the shoulder to the bottom. Embracing some of those floral details can make your outfit more interesting, so a pair of floral print sneakers, and other green, brown, and muted red accents like the woven belt, or green and brown watch, unique resin ring, or even some subtle green sunglasses or a shoulder bag are all ways to embrace this interesting upcycled outer layer and create an outfit inspired by it!

The Mx.

The mx fashion flatlay featuring an upcycled item - this pair of patchwork sweatpants is great inspiration for just how cool and put together an outfit can still be when using a patchwork item. Focusing on a monochrome theme and mixing the patchwork print with a striped blazer creates an edgy but casual look!

The Ms.

The ms fashion flatlay featuring an upcycled item - this patchwork denim blazer is a great example of combining casual and professional with not only the style but the material itself! To dress this look up, pairing it with a blue and white floral strapless dress, blue and white floral heels, and gold and white accent jewelry (including a Star Wars shoutout with the details on the purse!) is a fun way to showcase upcycled fashion in a polished fit!

Shop These Looks

Until next week!

👉 Share your quest success with #VostraModaQuest or reply to this email for a chance to be featured in next week’s email. Please let me know if you would like to remain anonymous.

“The most sustainable garment is the one already in your closet.” —Orsola de Castro, fashion activist and co-founder of Fashion Revolution

Stylishly yours,

— Bri

Start your style journey for free.

Step Inside The Closet

  • 1 quest to conquer your closet monsters
  • 2 tips to instantly impress your mirror
  • 3 looks to inspire effortless style

Join the community discovering confidence one outfit at a time. No fluff. No filler. Just fashion. Let’s step in!