Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
Butterfly Glitter Cowboy Hat Thrift Store Makeover
When I found an almost brand-new wool cowboy or fedora style hat at a local thrift shop for $10, I knew it was a great find. It was a thrift store makeover waiting to happen. Read on to learn about my Butterfly Glitter Cowboy Hat thrift store makeover with some design inspiration from Stevie Nicks.
The thrift store hat before the makeover
The hat was fairly plain, with only a leather rope tied around it for décor. I set it aside for a month and then the design came to me. I do this a lot with some of my creative projects. They’ll sit aside for a while until the inspiration hits.
I used Liquid Fusion glue for the crystal application
My husband and I love thrift store finds. Some things we buy are perfect as is, and some need a little help getting some of their old glory back. Thrift store find makeovers are a fantastic way to unleash your creativity and transform old, forgotten items into one-of-a-kind treasures. Whether it's a dusty wooden dresser with worn-out drawer pulls, a vintage lamp with a dated shade, or a mismatched set of chairs with faded upholstery, these thrifty discoveries offer endless possibilities.
Me in my Stevie Nicks wig
With a little imagination and some DIY know-how, you can breathe new life into these pieces, giving them a fresh and modern look that suits your personal style. From painting and repurposing to reupholstering and refinishing, thrift store find makeovers not only save you money but also add character and charm to your home.
Channeling Stevie Nicks
We love our DIY magnetic photo board thrift store makeover due to its humorous connection to a Progressive commercial we love. You’ll always find humorous DIY décor all over our house.
See the whole look come together in my 15 second YouTube video below or via my channel @carolynjbraden:
The completed butterfly hat makeover
The satisfaction of taking something discarded and turning it into a stunning focal point is immeasurable, making thrift store finds a treasure trove of inspiration for any DIY enthusiast. For this thrift store find makeover, I borrowed some style from Stevie Nicks.
My blond wig added to the whole hat look
We have been listening to a lot of Fleetwood Mac this summer and the inspiration from the music and her overall style was, but of course, going to show up in my creations somehow.
Channeling Stevie Nicks’ stage presence
If you aren’t familiar with Stevie Nicks, she is a true legend in the music industry and has captivated audiences for decades with her unique voice, enchanting stage presence, and timeless songs. As the frontwoman of Fleetwood Mac and a successful solo artist, Nicks has cemented her place as one of the most influential and iconic figures in rock and roll history. Her distinctive, husky vocals, coupled with her poetic lyrics and bohemian style, have made her an enduring symbol of artistic expression and empowerment.
I love how my butterfly cowboy hat turned out
Stevie Nicks' ability to blend elements of rock, pop, and folk has garnered her worldwide recognition and a dedicated fan base that continues to grow to this day. With her mesmerizing performances and unwavering passion for her craft, Stevie Nicks remains an unparalleled force in the music world, leaving an indelible mark on generations of aspiring artists.
This butterfly hat is ready to rock!
With her rock and roll and boho style in mind, I decided to make the hat look like something Stevie Nicks would wear on stage or for a photo shoot. I picked up a feather accent from a local craft store.
This butterfly hat is a showstopper
I choose brown and white to go with the leather accent that was already on the hat. You can alternatively purchase single feathers or feather trim. I used a hot glue gun on a low temperature setting to add the feather accent to one side of the hat.
DIY Butterfly Glitter Cowboy Hat
Next, I added 2 simple white feather butterfly accents. I ordered a set of 12 and used the other butterflies to make my DIY butterfly tiara. I used hot glue on a low temperature to add the butterfly accents around the feathers. I then attached small flatback clear Swarovski crystals to the body of each butterfly using Liquid Fusion Glue and a wax tipped pencil. I’ve used this technique on my crystal sunglasses and more. It came together in about 30 minutes.
I gain lots of fashion inspiration from music
Even if you can’t find a great hat at a thrift store, you can buy an inexpensive fedora or similar hat on Amazon or another retail store and gather similar materials to what I used. Taking something that is rather plain and jazzing it up to suit your own style is not only fun, but it helps you show the world your individual style. I’d like to think that Stevie Nicks and I have a similar style, and I’d like to think that she’d proudly wear a hat like I created.
DIY Butterfly Fedora
Showing the world your true self can start with something as simple as proudly wearing a thrift store find. I’ve been wearing and transforming thrift store finds for years and I hope this gives you a little inspiration to try it too. Buying from a thrift store not only can be majorly cost effective, but it also is a sustainable option. There’s a lot of “stuff” in the world and buying second hand, when appropriate, is one little way you can help make our earth a better place.
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