The purpose of fashion–like all art–is to tell a story. Whether that story is about wealth and status, like the women of the 1940s and their silky ermine coats, or a response to a societal movement, like the liberty spikes, distressed jeans, and leather-draped teens emblematic of the counter-cultural aesthetics of punk. This purpose has remained unchanged throughout history. The only differences have been the messages themselves.
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Sustainability is a hot topic right now, especially in the fashion world. An analysis conducted by Business Insider found that fashion production comprises 10% of total global carbon emissions – which is as much as the European Union! To make matters worse, the number of garments purchased each year increased by 60% in 2014 from 2000, yet these pieces purchased were only kept for half as long, with a resounding 85% of all textiles going to the dumps each year.
A lot of this waste can be attributed to fast fashion – a term first coined by the New York Times to describe Zara’s mission to take only 15 days for a garment to enter the design stage before hitting the sales floor, and which has since spread to encompass the rapid design, production, distribution, and marketing of clothing. This process has led to an absurd amount of clothes being produced each year, usually using cheap, unsustainable practices like shoddy stitching, cheap fabrics, and underpaid labour, all to capitalise on current trends.
In response to such unsustainable practices, the messages surrounding fashion have started shifting into ones of sustainability. For example, thrifting has been sensationalised amongst the youth, where now it is commonplace for the question of, “those jeans are so cute, where did you get them?” to be met with an enthusiastic, “I thrifted them!” But sustainability does not, and should not, stop at thrifting. There are other options for those who wish to be environmentally conscious while remaining fashionable. That is where upcycling comes in.
What is Upcycling?
Upcycling is the process of transforming old and discarded materials into something new – usually into something of value and with better quality. In the fashion world, this means taking old clothes or textiles – either pieces that are no longer in style, damaged, or worn through – and reimagining them into products that look and feel brand new. The result is exceptionally unique clothing and accessories that are cute, low-cost, and environmentally conscious.
Nowadays, consumers are so distant from the supply chain surrounding how our products are made, especially when it comes to our clothes, that it can be daunting to pick up a needle and thread or peruse through rows upon rows of fabric dye and rhinestones, as we try to figure out the right – or wrong! – way to upcycle our discarded clothes. In preparation for that uncertainty, here is a list of four creative ways you can get started with upcycling your wardrobe staples today.
Things You Will Need
The most important items are the clothes themselves. Wardrobe staples, like old jeans, t-shirts, and tank tops are all viable options that most people already have in their closets. However, that does not mean you should shy away from using more elaborate tops, skirts, or even shoes when it comes to upcycling – especially if you are looking for new ways to spice up old favourites.
Besides clothes, there are a couple of other items that will give you the most versatility in deciding how you want to begin your upcycling journey. These are:
- Needle & thread
- Sewing machine
- Fabric paint (acrylics, markers, etc.)
- Fabric dye
- Fabric scissors
- Patches
- Chalk
Upcycling Ideas
Giving Dye a Try
When you think of dyeing your clothes, what is the first thing that comes to mind? If the answer is a middle school arts and crafts room with a bucket of water and piles of swirly, tie-dye shirts painted the colours of the rainbow, you would not be alone. However, dyeing has come a long way since those old days stuck inside a classroom of eleven-year-olds.
Batik, for example, is the process of laying out wax on certain areas of the garment to keep it from absorbing colouring and dyeing the parts around it to create a myriad of different patterns. There is also ombre style dyeing, wherein you can dip-dye or hand-dye any old skirt, shirt, or even dress, in one colour, while letting it fade away into another, all to add a layer of dimension to clothes that are too plain, or to revamp stained garments instead of throwing them out.
If you are not interested in getting your hands dirty with dye, but you still want to add a pop of colour to your wardrobe, try using fabric paint instead. Painting allows for ultra-fine detailing you would not be able to achieve by simply dying your clothes, and it can be done on any pair of jeans, shoes, plain shirts, or even old jackets. If you are not feeling confident about your drawing abilities, but still want to try your hand at upcycling your clothes into pieces of art, try using stencils. You can either purchase pre-made stencils of your favourite designs or make your own.
Wear It, Patch It
One of the reasons why old clothes make a fantastic upcycling option is because of the wear and tear that naturally comes with owning garments for a long time. Usually, our first instinct when glimpsing torn seams and pilling fabric is to toss that piece of clothing, no matter how beloved, into the rubbish. Upcycling, however, allows for an alternative. Even if you do not have a sewing machine, a needle and thread work wonders at patching any signs of wear, and you do not need to be boring about it. By using visible mending stitches in a variety of colourful strings or patches that reflect your unique style, you can breathe new life into those old pieces.
However, upcycling does not just have to be about repairing. Have an old pair of jeans that you want to spice up but do not know how? Try distressing them. Cutting, ripping, and fraying both jeans and jean jackets strategically can add an edgy charm to even the saintliest of items. Simply mark out where you want to distress the item in chalk (the most common way to do so is with horizontal lines) and start scratching away. Scissors can work wonders here, but any sharp blade, like a box cutter, will also do the trick.
The Arsenal of Embroidery
Any piece of clothing can be embroidered, provided you take the time to learn the skill. Like any other hobby, learning how to embroidery will take time, patience, and effort, but the payoff is well worth it. All you need to begin is a needle and thread – and a sheet of tracing paper. Start by drawing out whatever cool fresh look you want transferred onto your clothes, pick which colours look best, and start threading away.
For those with a little extra money in the bank, or experienced embroiderers who want to lessen their labour load, consider investing in an embroidery machine to do most of the heavy lifting for you. That way you can spend more time producing bigger, more intricate designs.
If you’re feeling extra glamorous, instead of decorating with string, go for rhinestones instead. Studded pants, jackets, shoes, and even any decor items you have lying around the house that need a little pick me up, are all amazing options to start adding a little sparkle to your style.
Recycle, Reuse, Transform
Sometimes simply customising a garment is not enough to save it from the rubbish. In that case, transform it. Got a ton of old t-shirts that you do not want anymore? Turn them into a quilt. For extra charm, try using graphic t-shirts as your base. Likewise, if you don’t have a ton of spare shirts lying around, turning the ones you do have – or a sweater – into a tote bag is another fashionable transformation that has the eco-conscious benefit of replacing any plastic bag you might own.
Keeping on glammed-out accessories, if, along the course of your upcycling journey, you are left with extra pieces of fabric lying around, then consider upcycling those as well. With simple stitching – and a creative eye – you can transform those pieces into cute scrunchies or even headbands. The options are limitless.
Sharing and Selling Your Creations
The great part of upcycling is that it does not just have to be something you do for yourself. Now more than ever, people, especially young people, are starting to concern themselves with the impact of unsustainable fashion practices. As a result, the demand for eco-conscious shopping is on the rise, with websites aimed at promoting these practices seeing unprecedented popularity in recent years.
These websites, such as Depop and Poshmark, as well as tried and true sites, like the handmade, craft-based marketplace of Etsy, are making it easier than ever to create your online stores where you can get in touch with communities of like-minded people who are dedicated to looking for more sustainable – and cheaper – ways to fill their wardrobes. By developing the essential skills that come with recycling and revamping old clothing, you can start to earn back on the time and labour spent on upcycling, all with the added benefit of being a good planetary citizen.
In the end, whether you choose to jumpstart your new career in upcycling or are simply looking for ways to sustainability upgrade your wardrobe staples, upcycling is an avenue which should not be ignored. You would be surprised at what amazing creations you can conjure up with a needle in hand, and what new stories those creations will begin to tell.
