Embroidery: It's the 'reel' deal

Throughout the pandemic, I’m sure you’ve seen plenty of new Etsy shops selling embroidered and customised items. Upcycling old clothing or purchasing new embroidered pieces feels more personal, yet it's one of the easiest 2021 trends to follow.

Whether you want to spice up old or new garments, you can rely on embroidery. By adding a few flowers, stars or a catchy phrase, you can turn your plain jeans into a unique and stylish pair in no time. Upcycling is not only great for your purse, but for the environment too – you’ll create less waste by making your clothes last longer and they'll withstand the test of trends.

Make your embroidery dreams come true

Two artists, who study at the University of Sheffield, made their upcycling hobby into a side hustle during lockdown. Hannah Peggie and Grace Hartley both create stunning custom pieces. While Grace upcycles Nike hoodies and produces made-to-order pictures, Hannah does mostly tote bags and even upcycled a pair of jeans.

Although they feel passionately about everything they create, Grace can’t deny she has a favourite item from her store: “I really love doing custom photograph pieces, as they are so personal to people. It’s lovely to create images of the customer, their family and friends.”

Shop embroidered pieces online

If you’re desperate for something new – like I was for some new Converse when my previous pair were falling apart – you’ll find a variety of embroidered items in popular online shops. I fell in love with the pair pictured below. Although the embroidery provides a pop of colour, the neutral shade of the shoe itself goes with everything.

I hope you’re just as excited as I am about the prospect of embroidered garments in your wardrobe. If you don’t have any to show off on your daily walk yet, be sure to hop on one of the easiest fashion trends of the year.

Edited by Katie Wheatley