Lately consumerism has reached an all time high and people have now begun to make a conscious effort to live a more sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle. 

 

Fast fashion is one area where consumerism is at it’s greatest. The buying of cheaply made, poor quality clothes might have seemed like a good idea for a while but people are now beginning to see the error of their ways. They are looking for individual pieces that celebrate their own unique style and are a bit different from what you would find on the high street. They are also looking for clothes made from materials that have a minimal environmental impact. 

 

Refashioned and recycled clothing is the perfect answer, not only does it reduce the amount of textile waste being put into landfill, it also eliminates the environmental impact associated with the manufacture of new clothing. It also offers something completely new and cutting edge. A clever refashioner will use the best parts of the existing garment to create something that is fresh and new. 

 

All sorts of old clothes can be used to create new clothing including vintage, knitwear, tailored clothes, prom dresses, wedding dresses and even fashion industry waste and off cuts. There are so many creative ideas coming out that take the idea of reworking clothes so much further than turning an old pair of jeans into a skirt. Some of the most innovative pieces involve almost completely deconstructing a garment to make it into something new, buy perhaps conserving just a small feature or two from the original item like the buttons, collar or lace trim. 

 

With so many initiatives to encourage and promote eco fashion, like Estethica at London Fashion Week and alternative fashion week, recycled and reworked fashions are likely to keep on appearing.