http://www.care2.com/greenliving/green-girl-fabricates-fashion.html
Green Girl Fabricates Fashion
Spring is in the air! Kind of. More like, I’m getting that “spring-ish” feeling that usually comes in February when the temperature rises above freezing. With said feeling, comes a very bad desire: the desire to buy new “spring-ish” clothes. Bad. As a college student, I don’t particularly have the money to spend on lots of new clothes. Not to mention the fact that I already have an overflowing wardrobe of perfectly fine clothes. I’m just bored of them.
This year, I’m not going to give in to said desire. No. I’m going to be green about it. Creatively green about it. Because, in all honesty, my clothes aren’t too old or spindly or falling apart at the seams, and therefore do not warrant being thrown out for new ones. In fact, only 2 percent of clothes that are thrown out in the United States are unwearable–shocking, no? And incredibly wasteful.
So, rather than throwing out old clothes (I actually don’t ever throw out clothes, I kind of hoard them “for later use”) to buy new ones, I am going to recycle and reuse. The clothes that I simply never wear, despite being in perfectly good condition and of good fabric, I shall reinvent. Just because a shirt has a couple of holes in it does not mean that it is unusable–I can make patches for old jeans, or use the fabric from it, along with the fabric from other old clothes, to make a patchwork bag or scarf or belt. I do like eclectic clothing, so this is really the perfect wardrobe solution. Jeans that are torn and dirty at the bottoms (my jeans are always too long and get ruined) can be cut off for shorts, or re-sewn into a jean skirt. Good fabrics will last, so rather than putting them away to never be seen again, try making something new and interesting that you will wear all the time. There is much less waste in such a habit.
Plus, you’ll be so excited by your creative inventions that you won’t even want to buy new clothes! You’ll just want to make more cool things … I know I do. And, for the clothes that you honestly will never wear, even if they are in good shape, there are other options than the trash or the bottom of your dresser. Take them to Goodwill, or the Salvation Army–there are usually drop boxes in convenient spots around town. Or, if you want to make a profit, see if your local consignment store will take them from you.
Note to self: Don’t waste, create.
Lily Berthold-Bond grew up in a chemical-free zone and has struggled her whole life to understand and accept this non-commercial lifestyle. Now a sophomore at Tufts University, she has embraced her green life and hopes to share its possibilities with the rest of her generation.
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11 comments
add your comment »The “Green” market for eco-friendly clothing is booming. I highly support the market and if green products take over the world, so be it! We won't be destroying the world anymore and other companies will adjust. Thanks for sharing this nice information.
r4ds
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LOVE OUR ARTICLE. VERY COOL JUST WANTED TO TELL YOU ABOUT AN ECO FRIENDLY PRODUCT MADE OF ECO FRIENDLY BRASS...AND A COOL FASHION ACCESSORY THAT WILL NEVER GO OUT OF STYLE, CAN BE DRESSED UP OR DRESSED DOWN.. www.pickbay.com
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Hey Lily i really like your article which you post here and i really impressed on your information for Green Girl Fabricates Fashion..
batteries
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Hey its really a nice and new fashion..
I have some useful fashion tips :
1.Spragattie straps are hot this season- in everything from sari blouses to slip dresses
2.Tatoos look very trendy and daring with sleevless or short sleeves. So go ahead..
3.Glitter lipsticks are making big this season. In shades such as plum and burgundy
4.Instead of heavy gold jewellery just flash a diamond solitare.
5.Pair your see through shoes with a see through bag and an umbrella.
6.Give up on heavy eye-make-ups just highlight your eyes with a transparent mascara....
Accessories
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Check out threadbanger!
http://www.threadbanger.com/
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I sell my really good just bored of or really doesn't fit clothing to the consignment shops, and in turn buy replacement items. Things that are in good condition go to good will. Clothes and bed sheets that are stained and I can't imagine anyone wanting to buy used I shred with my rotary cutter and make into "rag rugs" and rag baskets (great for all the kids toys and dog beds). The left overs are used to stuff toys for my dog. Creativity and recreating new clothing from old is amazing, but I don't have the knack to make something I would wear, I admire those who do.
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My girlfriends and I have pot-luck clothes swaps. we all bring clothes that we are tiered of and pick through each other's discards. The remaining items get recycled in the way the article mentions, or we donate them to the local women's shelter. It's a great opportunity to be green as well as create a stronger community.
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Great thoughts on avoiding clothing waste. I recently got a sewing machine and I'm going to attempt to turn knit shirts and sweaters (that are not in good enough shape to donate)into scarves. Wish me luck!
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Old work clothes become weekend and home repair clothes. We donate clothes that are in good enough shape for others to use, repair those we can. Old holey socks beyond repair become rags. I have made cell phone cases and tactile number panels (for a deaf-blind child with whom I work) from the cut off legs of slacks which had worn through at the seat and hems. I take off the buttons for reuse. In the olden days quilts were made from old clothes rather than from new fabric...
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This is a great idea but I'm not really 'creative' in this way.. so I give my unwanted clothes to Goodwill, consignment shops and even thrift shops who donate their funds to help animals. My goal is to keep unnecessary things out of landfills and just to note, I am a recycling nut - at home, at work - anywhere I go. Check out my website, www.KindnessNotCruelty.org
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