Whether it is a laundry bag tucked away in the back of your closet, or an entire drawer you never touch, we all have some clothes that we never wear anymore and just don’t want to deal with. Throwing them away seems like a waste, and taking them to a thrift store to be donated requires time and energy (and maybe even a vehicle) that are difficult to come by, so they just sit, serving no purpose and taking up space.

Your wallet and the environment will both benefit from reusing as many items as you possibly can. While some of them may end up not being salvageable, you will probably find that a lot of them can be reused.

If you have an old black helmet lying around from your rollerblading days, or a shirt with a huge ink stain on it, these items may not be able to find a place in your current wardrobe. But many, many items could be worked back in brand new ways. Here are a few tips that might help you get started.

If you know how to sew, you are a step ahead already. In that case, you might even be able to save the torn pair of jeans. Even just the most basic sewing knowledge can be helpful. If there is an old dress that no longer fits you, or a blouse you loved that has torn and can’t be repaired, you can cut them up and make patches!

Sew a few pieces of your old dress onto a faded pair of jeans or denim skirt. The skirt doesn’t need to have holes in it; just sew the patches in an artistic pattern. Then, pair the skirt or jeans with some leather brown boots and fitted t-shirt, and you have a wonderful new outfit!

You also might find that items you have disregarded could be given new life simply by mixing and matching them in a new way, or adding some new accessories. You might have an old, solid colored t-shirt that you stopped wearing because you thought it was boring. But if you throw on a big, funky necklace and a leather watch with the shirt, it could suddenly become one of your favorite pieces of clothing!

Jewelry, scarves and leggings are essential tools for retooling a wardrobe. These items are often on sale, and even at full price they tend to cost less than a new dress or a shirt. They take up less space in drawers, so they are easier to store, and they can definitely help you give new life to old items.