Overdye

Overdyeing is a technique where garments that are already colored (whether from piece-dyed fabric or previous garment dyeing) are dyed again with an additional color. The original color influences the final result: overdyeing a yellow garment with blue creates green; overdyeing various colors with black creates unique deep tones. The technique produces effects impossible with single-color dyeing—depth, variation, and subtle complexity. Overdyeing is also used practically: brands sometimes overdye excess stock of slow-moving colors into new, more sellable shades, reducing waste while creating limited variants. In streetwear, overdyed pieces are valued for their uniqueness and the way existing graphics or details interact with the new color. Vintage overdyed pieces where original design shows through have particular appeal. The technique connects to broader washed/treated aesthetics favoring character over uniformity. Understanding overdyeing helps explain unexpected color variations and limited-edition pieces within brand archives.