Experiment in dyeing

I bought these pants for resale but found small stains on them. I washed them, but the stains remained. Then I noticed they were a huge Medium and could fit my size Large body. This is when I decided to try dyeing them and what happened.

The pants, pale pink. Notice embroidery detail on leg

Two large buckets

The ingredients

Dye bath

The results

Update: I wore my dyed pants this weekend. I was hoping I’d look comfortable and casual, with an elegant unaffected vibe. Reality did not agree. They looked like scrubs and I looked like I just got off a 12 hr shift at the hospital. The heat didn’t help; it was 104 degrees and the pants and I looked wilted. I still like them but will probably just wear them at home. They were pajama pants and not really meant to be streetwear anyway.

Another thrift tip, about pants

This is a old school thrift trick, for when you can’t try on pants (or a skirt). I don’t trust thrift dressing rooms, I had someone open the supposedly locked door on me once. Fortunately I wasn’t unclothed but that was enough.

Also works at estate sales and garage sales, since they don’t offer dressing rooms.