A Happy Birthday DIY Button Up Shirt To Skirt No Sew Refashion

Hey Friends! By now you know I’m no stranger to the easy awesomeness that is The No Sew Refashion.

I like them because they’re like mini inspiration sessions to help get your creative juices flowing and they don’t require a lot of supplies. They’re perfect for folks who kiiiind of want to start refashioning, but kiiiind of aren’t ready to splurge for a sewing machine and supplies just yet.

However, there’s a dark side to no-sew refashions as well. :/

There are some really common tutorials out there (in blogs and on YouTube) that make some refashions look super-easy when, in fact, there’s a bit of nuance to them that’s required to make them work.

Of course, if you don’t know that, you just end up feeling lousy about a refashion that didn’t work and probably don’t feel super stoked about trying again.

Enter the No Sew Button Up Shirt to Skirt Tutorial.

Here’s how it works: Take a button up shirt you like the pattern of. I chose this size 2 Chico’s top that’s a work from home comfy favorite.

refashionista button up shirt to skirt tutorial shirt before — I don’t hate all ‘before’ pieces!

Now, pull it down to your waist, (unbuttoning as many buttons as necessary) and tuck the collar in the back.

refashionista button up shirt to skirt tutorial shirt tuck in collar — Seems easy, no?

Then, grab the sleeves, like so…

refashionista button up shirt to skirt tutorial shirt sleeves — Take it easy, sleevies.

Then, tie the sleeves in a double knot, or a bow if you wish (I still dislike bows, folks).

refashionista button up shirt to skirt tutorial shirt tie — Almost done!

And now, you have a cute skirt that you didn’t have to cut up/damage a button up shirt for any way!

refashionista button up shirt to skirt tutorial shirt close up — Cute, eh?

So my new skirt looks pretty cute, right?

And this tutorial is really simple, right?

NOT SO FAST!!!!!

Take a looksee at what happened when I tried to use one of Brian’s shirts for this refashion.

Pinterest fail DIY button up shirt to skirt refashion — This. Looks. Terrible.

In order to make the seemingly simple No Sew Button Up Shirt to Skirt Refashion actually work, I recommend the following:

Start with a shirt that’s only slightly loose. The shirt I used in the first version was exactly my size, but a loose fit. Brian’s shirt is a men’s XL, which left me with too much fabric in the front that added unflattering bulk!
Use a short shirt. In order for this refashion to work, your shirt needs to be on the short side (unless you’re super leggy). Stay away from Extra Long men’s shirts for this.
Use a Women’s Shirt instead of a Men’s Shirt. Women’s clothes are just cut differently than Men’s clothes, and this applies to button up shirts as well. The narrower shoulders of a women’s shirt mean less bulk around your hips, and a more fitted look around your waist!
Put it together. To make this refashion look intentional, and not like you’re doing the walk of shame from your fella’s frat house after a wild night wherein you somehow misplaced your pants, I recommend pairing dark shirtskirts with dark tops (like I did with my leotard here), and light shirtskirts with light tops.

I wore my shirtskirt to visit my lovely in-laws for a birthday dinner!