Upcycling involves creatively adapting items of clothing instead of tossing them aside. Upcycled fashion is an essential part of changing the fashion industry for the better. Incorporating upcycling into fashion helps the industry become more environmentally sustainable. Through upcycling, you can reduce the amount of clothing that gets thrown away. You can also help conserve essential natural resources.
Like recycling, upcycling helps the environment. However, upcycling is different from recycling in that the items’ materials are not broken down. Clothing items can be mended or decorated. They can also be transformed to be used for different purposes. Items of clothing can become scrunchies, pillows, gift wrap, or tote bags, for instance.
Environmental Benefits of Upcycled Fashion
Marree explains: “Upcycling is… taking an… item and transforming it into something new.” Instead of throwing away a piece of clothing, you can create something extraordinary with it. Upcycle That states: “The upcycled item often becomes more functional or beautiful.” Upcycling is different from recycling. Recycling includes a breaking-down process. For instance, plastic, glass, and paper are all shredded or melted during recycling. After being broken down, these materials are converted into new forms. Upcycling keeps items as they are, building on or repurposing them.
Recycling and upcycling are similar in that both can be helpful to the environment. Upcycle That explains: “Both recycling and upcycling are important as they reuse materials.” The two processes ensure that less gets thrown away. Marree presents an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) statistic. According to the EPA, “the average person throws away about 70 pounds of clothing” yearly. Keeping clothing and finding new and exciting uses for it helps you toss less. Also, not needing to buy new items can protect essential resources. Resources such as water that would be used to construct new items could be conserved.
How and Why to Buy Upcycled Fashion
Shopping can be a creative process. It can also be a way to contribute to causes you care about through action. You can build an exciting wardrobe and also help make the world a better place. RE.STATEMENT states that “the fashion industry is the second largest polluter in the world.” Buying upcycled fashion pushes back against this trend and supports sustainable fashion practices. You can find great clothing and also help fashion become more gentle on the environment.
Buying upcycled clothing items can also be relatively gentle on the finances. Thrift stores abound with affordable items that have been given appealing new life through upcycling. Craft fairs and farmers’ markets are also places where you might find upcycled fashion. Etsy is an online source for upcycled fashion from independent clothing makers or small businesses. Other sites for buying upcycled fashion online are Depop, Poshmark, and RE.STATEMENT. In general, there are a variety of purveyors of upcycled clothing. You can fall in love with items that suit your budget and style.
Creating Upcycled Fashion Projects
Upcycling fashion projects do not have to be complicated to be wonderful. Marree proclaims that clothing items can be revitalized with “just a few creative touches.” You can add small elements reflecting your personality. You can also choose interesting and attractive ways to repair items needing mending. To find materials to incorporate, you can use fabric pieces you happen to have. You can also reach out to see if friends have fabric that could work.
SwagCycle states: “Upcycling is the process of turning old clothes into new fashion.” Many creative techniques can be applied to repurposing your clothing. To mend items as part of upcycling, you can incorporate embroidery and decorative patches. Also, upcycling projects can go beyond decorating pieces of clothing. They can completely change these items so that they become useful in new ways. Clothing items can be innovatively converted into tote bags and throw pillows. You can also use fabric from clothing items for wrapping gifts. In addition, small pieces of fabric can be made into scrunchies.
