How often do you stand in your closet complaining that you have nothing to wear or that you want to strip your closet and start over with all new pieces? I confess, it happens more often than I want to admit.
When I’m in that ‘I hate my closet’ mode I often get the urge to just run out and buy a few new affordable pieces at some of my favorite shops like Target, Zara, Gap or the Ralph Lauren outlet. Some of these fashion brands have done us a favor by mass manufacturing and brilliant marketing creating what’s been dubbed as ‘fast fashion’ – lots of quick volume for cheap. Consumers have more affordable options and brands have elevated their sales and reached new customers. Sounds like a win- win until you get bored with the piece or you can’t figure out how to wear it or what to wear it with and it’s tossed or donated.
I recently read on NPR that according to the Environmental Protection Agency, 15.1 million tons of textile waste was generated in 2013, of which 12.8 million tons were discarded. It becomes a vicious cycle but it there is a way to hold on to those fast fashion pieces, keeping them out of the landfills and in your closets longer- ReStyle+ RePurpose.
Reducing waste is one of the reasons I’m adamant about coaching clients on how to ReStyle+ReWear+Repurpose their wardrobes. It has tremendous benefits. Not only have you reduced waste by keeping that piece and wearing it repeatedly but you’ve also learned how to create several new looks from the same garment. Once you can see different ways to wear the same piece, the chances of it getting tossed are reduced.
In honor of Earth Day, be more contentious about ways you can create new looks from your garments. I’m here to guide you through.
