Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
It is true that we tend to buy new clothes, even though our closet is already full, only to feel renewed. And how many times have we bought a piece of clothing only to wear it once or even never while keeping it in the closet for years? Of course, the trend of fast fashion, which is constantly changing and filling the shelves of stores with different designs and styles every day, creating the need for us to get something new, fresh and different from what we already have, also contributes to these “habits”.
The first step is sorting our clothes, ruling out the ones that are either worn out or never worn and brainstorming on all possible ways we could or would like to wear them. Those items we are not going to wear, could be donated to an organization that helps those in need.
If we consider that buying clothes very often, apart from being a very expensive “hobby”, it is also very harmful to the environment and the community as a whole, this “innocent” trend of continuous shopping therapy while clothes mostly remain unworn contributes to a huge degree in the encroachment of natural resources, the creation of waste and litter as well as the continuous exploitation of workers in the fashion industry. According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the fashion industry is responsible for 20% of wastewater and 10% of global emissions (more than the total emissions of all international flights and maritime shipping combined). This wastewater is discharged to bodies of fresh water, contaminating it and endangering both aquatic life and people who depend on it.
But is there a way to escape this reality that gradually becomes a bigger threat to the well-being and health of the planet, animals and humanity? What we can definitely do is limit our buying habits to the absolutely necessary and satisfy the need for renewed appearances through the closet we already have, giving a second chance to our clothes and to the planet!
The first step is sorting our clothes, ruling out the ones that are either worn out or never worn and brainstorming on all possible ways we could or would like to wear them. Those items we are not going to wear, could be donated to an organization that helps those in need.
For the rest, we provide below a few ideas for reusing them with the mindset of upcycling. Easy, fast and creative solutions for a completely new look for many pieces in our closet.
- Do not rush to throw away any worn-out clothes! Instead, try to give them a second chance through repairing. Those jeans that are worn or torn can easily be cut and turned into shorts. Similarly, that T-shirt or shirt with a small hole can be worn again if you sew on the affected area a piece of other fabric in a beautiful shape or pattern (flower, star, etc.), a ribbon or a large, beautiful brooch. Online you will find many tutorials and ideas on how to creatively repair damaged clothes.
- Even for jeans and pants you are tired of wearing as they are, you can use them to make sorts. Dresses can be turned into skirts or tops while a long skirt can become a nice strapless dress without a lot of work, just by wearing it a little higher. Of course, if you are in the mood, you can also put straps on it!
- Simple cotton T-shirts can be transformed into many new pieces: crop tops, short t-shirts that tie front or back or even handbags! You can also use them as knitting yarn to make small mats, rugs, pillowcases or cut them into various designs to use as patches on other clothes.
- Clothes who have stains that do not go away or with fainted colours, especially white clothes, can turn brand new and shiny with the tie-dye technique! Another favorite and timeless idea is bleaching that creates intoxicating patterns and colors. And if these are not enough, you can always use the special markers for fabrics to design your own patterns, add glitter, stones and many other accessories for decorating clothes.
- Demin clothes can be also used in many ways as a raw material for upcycling. Patches for other clothes, pillowcases, bags and purses, mats, chair covers, even total black out curtains. And those who have four-legged friends can turn them into toys or cushions for them (of course you should fill them either with other leftover fabrics or with a pillow filling).
- Approach your accessories the same way! This broken necklace can turn into a bracelet, earrings or you can take the beads and the decorations and use them to adorn clothes or bags
Give your clothes a second chance and let your creativity free by saving money and time but also making a difference for our planet!
