Being the crafty and conscious human beings we are, it was inevitable that we would evolve in our use and re-use of clothing. We are loving the very personal approach by reknit, where you send in your old sweater and it is turned into a scarf.

Here’s the tag line: “This month, my mom will turn your old sweater into a new scarf.”

Brilliant. Thanks to Josh Spear for posting and sharing this sustainable fashion resource.

GretaGuide
GretaGuide

Have a pair of jeans you just can’t find a way to wear, or a jumper that is a little too blah for your stylish taste? Don’t take them to Goodwill just yet! With a little help, you can transform them into what is sure to become your favorite pieces. Junky Styling is here to help! A team of designers and skilled sewers will help you to re-envision your cast-off article and create something new, edgy, and chic.

It is the perfect way to re-invent your wardrobe to match your evolved style in a more cost effective and environmentally sustainable way. Not sure what you are looking for? Pick up a copy of the new Junky Style: Wardrobe Surgery book and get inspired.

GretaGuide
GretaGuide

  1. Educate yourself. Go to eco-fashion resource sites to learn about sustainable fashion and the brands offering it. Try the Ethical Fashion Forum, Fashion Takes Action, and Sustain Your Style.
  2. Reduce, re-use and recycle. Don’t buy in excess. Think about what you are buying and how long you see yourself wearing it. Invest in higher quality that you can wear longer. If a new color come into fashion, use a vegetable dye to alter clothing you already own. When you are absolutely finished with a garment, make sure it goes back into the cycle of being used. You can either give it to a Goodwill Shop or make sure it finds its way to a recycling factory, like Martex Fiber Southern Corporation, where they break an article of clothing back down to thread to be used all over again.
  3. Shop thrift stores. Especially if you are after animal products- like leopard belts or fur vests. It has already been produced, so it might as well be worn, but don’t support the making of new un-ethical products buy purchasing new fur.
  4. Don’t wash your clothing as much and do so on a lower temperature. Our culture has engrained in us that we must wash clothing (and ourselves) very frequently, but this just isn’t the case. Clothing structure and color last longer the less you wash it. When you was at lower temperatures you save on energy used to heat the water and it is typically better for the fabrics as well.
  5. When purchasing new pieces, try to buy organic and sustainable lines only. Your purchasing power has weight and, starting with you, an increased demand for these lines will make them more accessible. Start with these online eco-retail sources: EDUN, BTC Elements,  and Green Loop.
GretaGuide
GretaGuide

Supermodels strip for climate change awareness. You go girls! Tastefully done and educational, while still having that fashion flare- that is what I am talking about!

The goal of 350.org is to push political leaders meeting in Copenhagen for the UN Climate talks in December to come to an agreement on carbon emissions standards and regulations. The clock is ticking and now is the time for action. Visit www.350.org to find out more.

GretaGuide
GretaGuide