How to customise items in your wardrobe

We’ve all seen our friend Gok Wan transform a simple top from the high street into a piece of evening wear or designer clothing using a little imagination.

Customising high street clothing or updating a designer piece into something fresh and current is becoming increasingly popular among fashionistas.

Wendy Gardiner, editor at Sewing World magazine, explained that restyling is a really easy way to create a new look using designer clothing or high street items that you already have hanging in your wardrobe.

It can be done by "adding some trims, adding tucks, pleats, beading and spray paint - there are all sorts of things you can do to it to make it special," she continued.

One thing to remember though, she added, was to make sure you enjoy it and have fun doing it. There are no rules and if people want some help then there are plenty of books and websites offering advice.

Here at Secret Sales we often exchange ideas for customising simple vest tops. Adding interesting buttons is always easy to do, but frills and bows are also an important trend this season.

What techniques have been successful for you? Please share your tips with the Secret Sales office.