Thembi Sutton, 40, said she loves to rip into fashion. Literally. The longtime fashion fan said she has no problem with making alterations to certain wardrobe items, if she thinks it will improve the look.

“I tear stuff off all the time; pretty much any of those sleeves that are attached to [an otherwise] strapless dress. I’ve been known to take off ruffles if they’re excessive. I put my seam ripper to good use,” said the Pigtown resident.

It helped that this fashionista said she’s also mindful of her budget, generally buying inexpensive pieces online from favorites like forever21.com, venus.com, francescas.com and loft.com.

The gown Sutton wore to Volunteering Untapped’s “Fake Wedding” was the perfect example of both her practical purchasing and destructive creativity.

“It had been hanging on the back of my closet door for the last year and a half. I wanted to wear it or get rid of it. It had these puffy ugly sleeves that I tore off. It just ruined the dress,” Sutton explained.

However, there’s one segment of her wardrobe where this senior writer for the Data Computer Corporation of America admitted she goes the opposite direction, spending more on the pieces themselves and paying to maintain them.

“I tend to spend more money on shoes than clothes. When I find a really good pair of shoes, I tend to keep them up and take them in for re-heeling and resoling,” she said.

HER ENSEMBLE:Forever 21 orange neoprene strapless mermaid gown. Gold shoulder chain from gojane.com. Unlisted by Kenneth Cole lack faux suede heels with ankle straps and glitter platform from 6pm.com. Gold disc drop earrings from DSW. Multi-color beaded envelope bag from francescas.com.