When it comes to shopping, finding the perfect outfit isn't always easy. But some people are proving that you don't need silks and wools and other fabrics to dress up in something great — sometimes, the most beautiful fashion statements are made from the most unexpected materials. 

Erica Lansner, for example, has been photographing looks made from unexpected items (candy wrappers, rubber gloves, cards, and more) for 12 years at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School's fashion shows, hosted in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx. 

"... Every year I am amazed at how creative, clever and inventive the students are," Lansner tells A Plus in an email. "It is a joy to see each outfit for the first time as the kids walk down the runway, and then [it's] so much fun to give each student their own mini ‘fashion shoot’ to honor and preserve all of the hard work they put into it."

"What I love about photographing these untraditional outfits is that at first glance, many actually appear to be ‘regular clothes’ made out of traditional materials, but then once you take a second look, you suddenly notice the unusual materials and are stunned by the ingenuity and execution of the design. I think the beauty comes from appreciating each student’s unique vision and creative spark that is the essence of each design," Lansner adds. "I am constantly inspired by [the students'] willingness to take risks, to think above, beyond and outside the box, by their sense of humor, their amazing skill and patience in executing their designs, and lastly by their ability to work hard at something and often fail and then re-group, re-design and re-build."

Scroll through for some of the coolest, wearable looks made from items you'd least expect.