From Grandma’s Closet to NYC Streets: Julia Lynch Shares Her Style Secrets

Quarantine might just be the perfect time for spring cleaning and going through your closet or even your parents’ closets. 

For years, Elon University senior Julia Lynch has altered clothes her mom and grandma haven’t worn in decades to fit any style—from edgy to chic to bohemian.

“When I buy clothes I always have a vision for how I am going to wear them, what I’ll style it with or if I am going to repurpose or change the article of clothing in some way,” Lynch said.

Lynch also said she finds herself heading to thrift stores to find new pieces that are unique, sustainable options.

“I feel like every article of clothing has a story, so I can add to that story in my own way,” Lynch said. “I also try to stay away from mass production stores because of the environmental impacts.”

Lynch, who won best-dressed in high school, is constantly looking for how she can transform clothes to fit current trends and her own personal style. Fashion is a mindset for Lynch, and she uses her style to express herself on an everyday basis. Lynch’s mom always instilled in her the importance of being unique, and she uses fashion as a space to display her individuality. 

When Lynch isn’t going through her families’ closets, she’s searching through consignment shops or sometimes even popular chain stores, like Forever 21, and analyzes how else she could wear a piece before she buys it.

Below are some examples of Lynch’s favorite pieces she has altered from sewing, cutting, pinning or simply re-styling.  

First picture: Lynch’s grandma’s dress where she cropped the bottom and used the left-over material as a choker

Second picture: Lynch’s grandma’s work pants dressed down for a night out to dinner and used as a pop of color in an all-white outfit

Third picture: Thrifted jeans cut and distressed to become shorts

So, what’s the secret?

“It’s just about being thrifty with what you have and making style out of what’s in front of you. For example, hand sewing or even just tying something like a scarf into a stylish shirt. It is more about individuality and creativeness than talent,” Lynch said.

For Lynch, this comes with an aspect of creativity.

“You have to be able to look at an item of clothing that, in its current state, you would never wear and might even throw away and see how you could repurpose it into something stylish and cute,” she said. 

You don’t need to be a mastermind with a sewing machine to repurpose something. A few stitches here and there can make all the difference in what you wear.