Sustainability and fashion don’t usually fall into the same category when it comes to most people’s minds. After all, traditional fashion can be seen as wasteful and contributing to the environmental issues that we face everyday. However, it’s time to challenge the idea that fashion and sustainability are mutually exclusive. With some smart DIY tips and tricks, you can make your wardrobe eco-friendly in no time. From choosing fabrics to picking the right accessories, you can easily craft a sustainable style that fits your budget and eco-friendly lifestyle. Get ready to discover the world of fashionable, eco-friendly fashion and hit refresh on your wardrobe. Let’s get started!
1. Upcycled Style: Fashionable and Sustainable
Style Redefined
Recycling fashion has never been easier. Nowadays, upcycled style can be found in any season. This fashion trend is here to stay: combining sustainability with high-fashion.
Upcycling is all about giving clothes and accessories new life. It can involve anything from adding patches to outdated denim, mixing and matching vintage items to create a completely different look, or creating an entirely new garment from an original piece. Upcycled styles showcase fashion in an entirely new light.
When you wear upcycled style, you’re helping to reduce waste and the environmental effects of traditional fashion production. Buying and wearing upcycled clothes also keeps you up to date with ever-changing trends. Plus, you can rest assured that no one will be wearing the same outfit as you.
When it comes to styling upcycled pieces, the opportunities are endless. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Try mixing bold colors, prints, and unexpected materials for a totally unique look.
- Mix different eras of clothing to create a timeless look.
- Reuse old garments and vintage accessories to add an original touch to your wardrobe.
- Repurpose clothing into home décor items like pillows, curtains, or quilts.
For fashionable and sustainable style, look no further than upcycled pieces. From a unique and one-of-a-kind look, to helping reduce waste production, upcycled fashion is an ethical choice with endless possibilities.
2. Spice Up Your Wardrobe with Eco-Friendly DIYs
Distress and Reuse Clothing
In an eco-sensitive world, we have to be more conscious of the resources we use. And this starts right in our closets. You can put those inherited ratty sweaters and secondhand jeans to great use by doing a little DIY action.
Distressing jeans is all the rage now and with a few simple and easy steps, you can quickly transform a pair of jeans to get a fashionable, rugged look. With some sandpaper and scissors, you can easily get a pair of jeans that’s perfect for a night out.
Re-purpose Scarves
Scarves are a great way to make any plain dress interesting and are very good for the environment too. You can take an old scarf and turn it into something unique. You can cut out shapes from your scarf and stitch them together to make a shirt or a skirt. You can even paint your scarf using fabric paint to make a bright pop of color around your neck.
Make Your Own Bags
Plastic bags are a real environmental hazard, so why not make your own bags that are not only reusable but also trendy. From a handbag to a beach bag, you can make a bag in any size and shape with just some cloth and a good sewing machine. Depending on the pattern and the material used, you can make bags for any season that will easily fit your wardrobe.
Makeover Your Sneakers
Sneakers are already comfortable but you can make them a great addition to your wardrobe with some easy DIYs. Whether you want to add some lace, sequins, or glitter, you can customize a pair of plain sneakers to fit any occasion. Plus, it doesn’t require any big sewing project, which makes it perfect for anyone with minimal sewing skills.
3. Small Changes for the Big Picture: Sustainable Style Tips
Cycling Everywhere
Sometimes the best way to do our part in creating a more sustainable fashion future is to simply think of alternatives when it comes to getting around. Cycling is a great way of reducing your own carbon footprint and also an effective form of exercise. With more and more cities introducing cycling hubs, it’s now easier than ever to hire or purchase a bike. During warmer months, don’t hesitate to switch up the public transportation for cycling.
Choose Eco-Friendly Fabrics
When it comes to garment shopping, it pays to be mindful of the type of fabric an item is made of. Fabrics made from synthetic fibres tend to have more of an environmental impact than natural fibres such as:
- Cotton
- Bamboo
- Silk
- Linen
Making sure materials are either recycled, organic or made from natural fibres is a key step towards sustainability.
Say No to Fast Fashion
Fast fashion manufacturers produce garments on an accelerated scale, giving customers the option to purchase fashion items quickly and cheaply. The downside? Fast fashion manufactures generate vast amounts of toxins and pollutants in the production of their garments. To minimise your environmental impact, try to support sustainable fashion brands or seek second-hand pieces instead.
Reusing & Upcycling
Reusing is one of the most sustainable ways to extend the lifespan of your garments. Investing in timelessly stylish pieces is an ideal opportunity to do so, as these are more likely to stand the test of time and remain in trend. If your wardrobe is getting stale but you’re not quite ready to buy again, try sprucing up an old piece by giving it a fresh cut or repurposing it in a new way. As a bonus, it won’t cost you a cent.
4. Get Crafty: Creative Ideas to Green Your Closet
It’s time to get creative and explore ways to improve your closet’s sustainability. With a little effort, you can give a second life to many of your garments and accessories.
Upcycle and Repurpose
Start by taking an inventory of your closet. What items are you ready to part with? Take it a step further by seeing what clothes and accessories are still usable. Discover how to repurpose that old blazer into a cool shirt, or old jeans into a fashionable bag. You’ll be not only be saving the planet, but will have the satisfaction of creating something unique.
DIY Showcase
Surprise yourself and family at home by turning a regular piece of clothing into a night-out suit or dress-up dress. Show off your handiwork to friends by creating a customized piece. Get creative with a pair of old jeans and some colorful fabric. The possibilities of what you can create are endless.
Embrace the Thrift
Sometimes used clothing is a great resource, too. Shopping in second-hand stores or thrift shops results in you getting great products for less! It’s an ideal option if you’re looking for one-of-a-kind pieces or just want to add something special to your wardrobe. Here’s a list of ways to shop second-hand:
- Authentic vintage stores– often you can find good stones from era gone by
- Consignment stores– selling the well-loved pieces of others
- Online thrift stores– shop the entire world from the comfort of home
- Garage sales– knock on every door in your neighborhood
Now that you have some eco-friendly fashion tips, it’s time to get creative and go green with your wardrobe. Shopping sustainably doesn’t have to break the bank: with some creativity and a few DIY skills, you can soon be looking stylish and feeling earth-friendly. So go ahead and give it a try–we guarantee you’ll have that sustainable feeling in no time.
