How to Make a Cute DIY Two-Piece Set Out of a Men's Button-Down Shirt

Elegra Margiela
by Elegra Margiela
6 Materials
15 Minutes
Easy

I’m going to show you how to take an oversized button-up men’s shirt and turn it into a cute, simple, everyday wear, DIY two-piece set. You can either head on down to the thrift store to pick up a shirt, or nab one from your man’s wardrobe if you can get away with it! Let’s begin.

Tools and materials:

  • Shirt
  • Measuring tape
  • Fabric scissors
  • Pins
  • Clips
  • Skirt
Shirt before the DIY

This is how the shirt looked to begin with.

Cutting the shirt into two pieces

1. Cut the shirt into two

The first thing you want to do is decide how short you want your skirt to be. I wanted mine to be short but not too short. Then just cut across the button-up to get your desired length.

Cutting off the excess fabric

2. Cut away the excess

Next, take your measuring tape and measure 7 inches (18cm) on both sides of the skirt from the center outwards. Place a pin at the end of the 7 inches and then pin all the way down the skirt. Once done, cut away the excess fabric. Repeat on the other side of the skirt.

Using a skirt that fits well as a template

3. Cut out the back piece

Now it’s time to cut out your back piece. I used a skirt that I want my skirt to be a similar size to for reference. Clip this skirt to your fabric and using fabric scissors, cut around this skirt leaving some space for seam allowance.

Cutting the slit in the skirt

4. Cut the slit

Match up the side pieces that you cut for the front with those for the back. I wanted a slit so I just put the back piece on top of that slit that I wanted and I just cut around it so that it will have the same shape as the edge of my skirt.

How to sew a two-piece set

5. Sew 

After that, I just put it on the edge with both right sides facing each other. Pin them down and then sew. Once done, trim the excess seams to create a neater finish and reduce any bulkiness on the inside of your skirt.

Sewing two-piece sets

6. Pin and sew the side pieces

With the other bit of excess fabric that I took from the front, I’m going to fold it in half and cut it in half and that half piece I am going to sew on the front side of my skirt that does not have the slit. Pin the two pieces together with right sides touching and proceed to sew.

How to make a two-piece set skirt

7. Add the front pieces

Now it’s time to add the front pieces which you’re going to pin with the right sides facing each other and sew.

Hemming the skirt

8. Hem the skirt

Finish off the skirt by hemming the top and the bottom of the skirt.

Hemming the jacket for the two-piece set

9. Hem the jacket

For the jacket, all you have to do is hem the bottom of it

DIY two-piece set

DIY two-piece set tutorial

Ta-da! This is the finished DIY two-piece set. I love that I was able to take an oversized men’s shirt and get two items of clothing out of it. The big and boxy fit of the cropped jacket contrasts really nicely with the tight fit of the mini-skirt.


These two pieces look so harmonious together and I’m excited to show everyone my creation!

DIY two-piece set from the back


Suggested materials:
  • Shirt
  • Measuring tape
  • Fabric scissors
See all materials

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Comments
Join the conversation
 2 comments
  • Rebecca Rebecca on Mar 11, 2022

    Cute outfit, but I would like it better if the jacket was a little bit longer...like waist level.😉

  • Cheryl L Gebhart Cheryl L Gebhart on Mar 24, 2022

    This is a very stylish outfit. Hard to believe it started as a shirt!

    DO you have any DIY'S for turning a woman's button up shirt into a V-neck shirt with maybe some darts to make them more shapely? Thanks

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