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Pay it Forward Fashion
By Caren Henry-Glatca
Fashions come and go. However, these days it seems there is a constant churning of styles that has quickened in pace leaving many of us out of the game or at the least playing catch up. Think about the last time you walked into a big-box retailer, department store or specialty shop and laid out before you were rack after rack of new clothing. You may wonder “Who buys some of this stuff?” or “Will it be in style next season?” or even “Will this garment even last till next season before falling apart?” But, the real question is, what happens when these clothes are no longer loved or even liked by you – or anyone, for that matter?
Many discarded fashions and other textiles end up taking up space in our landfills. It is estimated that discarded textiles comprise four percent – 10.6 million tons – of our municipal solid-waste generation (based on 2003 figures). That is a lot of last season's gypsy skirts and outdated halter tops. However, there are many uses for used clothing and fabrics. From inspired fashion designs to pencils made of old jeans to ground up filler (called shoddy) used in furniture or automobiles, old textiles (clothes, curtains, bed linens, etc.) can and should be recycled. In addition, there are many other innovative recycled materials being used in lieu of traditional fabrics to create next season's “gotta have” wardrobe and accessory staples.
The reuse and recycling of unwanted clothes is rooted in necessity. During the world wars and the depression, new clothes were not always available nor were they accessible to the masses. Knowing how to alter hand-me-downs or repurpose fabrics for other uses was a way of life, not a home-economics class in junior high. As times changed, so did the process by which clothes were made, sold and used. For example, today our teens hope that the gift sweater they receive will be the only one worn at their school. And then, even if it holds up until the following year, they would not be caught dead in it. That unwanted sweater will eventually end up somewhere – hopefully someplace other than the nearest landfill with tons of others like it.
Second Life
The best thing you can do with your unwanted frocks is to donate them to a charity or non-profit store that gives its proceeds to a cause you support. You will need to inquire if your particular charity accepts only clothes in sellable condition or if it can recycle the used and abused articles. One charity of note is Planet Aid, which sells the clothing you donate to raise funds to help improve the lives of people in developing countries. Its bright yellow drop boxes are located in 68 places around Cuyahoga County (see www.cuyahogaswd.org/residents/clothing.htm for locations). If you have old bedding and towels, these can be used for housecleaning or car-washing purposes. If that does not seem to be a good outlet, check with your local animal shelter before tossing them out as they often welcome these goods.
Another option includes offering your gently-used, high-quality fashions for resale at a consignment shop. These items will typically be scrutinized to determine if they can be worn in the near future by fashion-minded, budget-conscious consumers. If the items sell, you typically will be given half of the sale amount. Most shops will give you the option of picking up your items that did not sell or donating them to charity directly. There are many great finds waiting in consignment shops, pieces that can be mixed and matched to create that popular layered look featured in fashion magazines.
If you want to sell or give your clothes directly to others, the internet can be an avenue to consider. You can sell, swap or give away your unwanted goods. Someone out there may want your purple felted sweater vest and might be willing to pay top dollar for the privilege of ownership. Some sites to check out include www.swapstyle.com, www.freecycle.org, www.cleveland.craigslist.org and – the granddaddy of all sites – www.ebay.com.
Creative Reuse
Creating something new out of an old item is another way to keep your look fresh and current. If you are inspired but challenged to do it alone, help may be available from multi-talented friends. Plan an evening together and do a clothing exchange and creative-mind meld. By sharing skills such as sewing, design or embellishment within the group, you can accomplish more and have fun at the same time! An eco-minded entrepreneur in New York City started a business around parties such as this, and is expanding into other cities. Check out the “Swap-O-Rama-Rama” schedule at www.gaiatreehouse.com/events.htm.
Nearly everyone has a glut of old t-shits. Two books are now available to help you breathe new life into your tired tops. Check out Generation T: 108 Ways to Transform a T-Shirt by Megan Nicolay or 99 Ways to Alter, Sew, Trim and Tie Your T-Shirt into Something Special by Justina and Faith Blakeny. To go with your fabulous “new” t-shirt, you may want to have stylish embroidery added to your jeans. Contact Sheri@cosmicbobbins.com– a great local resource for trend-setting designs.
If you do not have the time or talent to recreate your wardrobe anew, you can support designers who are making a go of it already. Check out Anamyn Turowski, the L.A. designer who created the Ynnub and Claudette clothing lines. Turowski is combining used tees, jackets, pullovers and more to create new and fashion-forward designs. These one-of-a-kind pieces are sewn by a team of craftspeople using exquisite detailing. She even has a line called Claude for children.
On the accessories front, there is no shortage of creative ideas for repurposed materials. From purses made out of license plates, magazines, rubber tires, seatbelts and sails to wallets made from juice cartons and billboards to jewelry crafted out of vintage pottery and more, the sky is the limit. Locally, Shannon Morris of NONA in Cleveland Heights is making a name for herself with her “rescued and reloved” line of jewelry and more. You can reach her at (216) 321-1932 or www.nona-live.com.
Beyond accessories, some unwanted fashions are ending up in homes in unexpected ways. One company, Crispina, softens wool sweaters and turns them into heirloom bedding from baby blankets to king-size duvets. It also makes plush area rugs of any size and various color combinations from these discarded sweaters. Used denim is another material it revitalizes for use in kitchen linens and throws.
Sustainable Alternatives
In addition to employing used textiles to create new fashions or home goods, several designers and companies are creating amazing textiles from trash or other forgotten materials. Since the mid-'80s, Patagonia has used recycled polyester made from recycled soda bottles and other sources in its outerwear line. In addition, it now accepts used Patagonia Capilene base-layer (underwear and long underwear) fiber products and reincarnates them into something new for next season. Several other companies now use similar EcoSpun recycled plastic bottle fibers to manufacture soft fleece or blend these fibers with wool, cotton or tencel.
Last, by not least, there are a host of small and large designers now using organic cotton, hemp, bamboo and natural fibers in trendy and everyday clothing, including athletic wear (think yoga). One particularly talented design duo is the husband and wife team Karen Stewart and Howard Brown. Their high-style clothing line, Stewart + Brown, is rooted in their passion for high style and environmental awareness. Another more contemporary looking line founded on similar principals is ecõ-ga'nik.
The use of recycled textiles is evolving on many fronts and is becoming more commonplace. Creating your own unique look by incorporating some of the ideas presented here not only saves textiles and other materials from the landfill, it also cuts down on energy consumption and the production of textile manufacturing. It is never too late to start refreshing your own wardrobe so start with whatever inspires you the most. Although true beauty lies within, your clothing can reflect your beliefs and be beautiful as well!
Caren Henry-Glatcz owns ecokiss, a new store located inside Mustard Seed Market in Solon. It offers a stylish selection of environmentally-friendly décor, fashion, and gifts including NONA's 'Rescued and Reloved' jewelry, Crispina blankets and rugs and Stewart+Brown t-shirts and totes. Her recycled fashion coup was her designer wedding dress found in a second-hand store in Chicagothe same dress was recently on display in a museum in NYC. You can reach her at caren@ecokissstyle.com.
