It’s no secret that fashion can be an unsustainable behemoth, with fast fashion accounting for much of the industry’s environmental footprint. But don’t fret – tools, techniques, and materials for sustainable DIY fashion projects are all around us, and are only getting more accessible! In this article, we’ll explore the tips, tricks, and projects you can use to break into the green fashion game and create pieces that are kind to the planet and your wallet.
1. Re-Creating Your Wardrobe with Eco-Friendly DIY Fashion Projects
Being stylish and eco-friendly don’t have to be mutually exclusive. With a few simple DIY fashion projects, it’s easy to upcycle staples from your closet that you’ve had for years. An added bonus is that these DIY fashion projects can save you a lot of money!
Upcycle T-Shirts
T-shirts are a wardrobe staple for almost everyone, and you can always find a bunch of them on sale. To refresh them a bit, try:
- Adding lace to the hems and sleeves to give it a feminine look
- Cutting the neckline lower (or higher) and adding some Cascading trim for a boho-inspired touch
- Cutting the sides and adding a belt for a different silhouette
A Renewed Retro Look With Embroidery
Adding a splash of color to classic clothes is a fun and easy way to mix up your look. Embroidery can really help to spunk up an old pair of jeans or a dull top. It simply involves taking all the bits and pieces of fabric, threads, and cords, and combining them together in a creative and unique way to make something special.
Make Your Own Jewelry
Accessorizing with hand-crafted jewelry is a great way to wear something truly unique. Get creative with different kinds of materials, such as beads, feathers, tassels, shells, and whatever else you can find. You can also recycle items like old buttons and pieces of fabric to make something special.
Rework Your Favourite Outfit
Don’t be afraid to get a little experimental with your wardrobe. Try an edgy new look by lengthening your hemlines, distressing denim, and replacing zippers with buttons. You can also update a vintage look by simply changing the colors of fabrics, adding unique prints, and playing with the fit.
2. Making Sustainable Style a Reality: Easy Tips for Ethical Fashion
Everyone wants to look stylish, but when it comes to ethical fashion, many people would rather save the planet and leave the catwalk for the professionals. That doesn’t need to be the case. You can feel good and look good at the same time. Here are a few handy tips on how to make sustainable style a reality:
- Choose Natural Materials: Organic cotton, linen, hemp, and TENCEL™ lyocell are all sustainable materials that are friendly for both the environment and the wearer. Not only are they breathable, but they also provide a green touch throughout your wardrobe.
- Choose Second-Hand: Thrift shoppers have an eye for one-of-a-kind finds and can pick up the best pieces without having to worry about ethical considerations. Choosing to hunt for second-hand items means you’re opting to extend the lifetime of the garments and keeping them out of the landfill.
For those in search of completely ethical clothing, look for GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified collections. GOTS certified garments are crafted without the use of any toxic chemicals, ensuring that every layer of the production process is held to the highest environmental standard.
Additionally, some designers have started incorporating biodegradable fabrics in their collections. These fabrics are made from vegetables and synthetic materials which can easily breakdown when discarded, helping reduce the burden of microplastic pollution.
If you really want to shop ethically, you should check out the direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands. These are brands that go directly from the designer to the consumer which cuts out the middlemen and keeps prices low. You can explain your interests to the brand and tell them what you’d like to see in their collection, making sure you don’t break the bank.
3. Innovative Ideas to Craft Sustainable Style out of Recycled Materials
Sustainable fashion isn’t just about buying the most eco-friendly clothing and accessories. It’s also about looking for ways to make old materials new again. In this modern world of fast fashion, most people don’t consider the environmental cost that comes with purchasing items. However, if we take the time to craft something out of recycled materials, we can prioritize sustainability without forgetting about personal style.
Listed below are some creative ideas on how you can craft some truly sustainable style out of upcycled items.
- Refashion Your Garments: An old t-shirt, skirt or dress can be given new life with a little creativity. Some other garments, like bags, purses and shoes, can also be refashioned. All you need are a few basic sewing materials and your imagination.
- Make Jewelry: With a little bit of glue and by adding some embellishments like buttons and beads, you can turn old jewelry into unique pieces. You can also reuse bottle caps, buttons, paperclips, shards of glass and more to create truly original jewelry.
- Upcycle Fabric: Find your used fabric, or even an old blanket or t-shirt, and take it to the next level by weaving, crocheting, or braiding it into a totally new item. Wear a scarf or belt made out of thrifted fabric or repurpose old socks to create stuffed animals for the kids.
If you’re feeling extra creative, you can use some recycled materials out of your home to develop extraordinary fashion items. Create a bag, for example, with old trousers and an old shirt by adding some buttons and a few snips. Make an old pair of shoes more fashionable by customizing them with pieces of bright fabric – or just go for embroidery!
The possibilities are endless when it comes to crafting sustainability out of upcycled materials. All it takes is being open to creativity, and looking for materials in places where nobody would think to find them.
4. Let’s Get Crafty! Inspiring Eco-Friendly DIY Fashion Projects
Summer is the perfect moment to get creative and express your fashion sense without spending a fortune. But why not get a cut above the rest and try out some eco-friendly DIY fashion projects? What better way to be fashionable and sustainable while adding some custom flair to your wardrobe? These ideas will have you looking trendier than ever and will have you feeling proud of your fashion statement on the environment!
Indigo-Dyed Shirts
For a summer chic style, try out an indigo-dyed shirt. Not only will it add a pop of color to your wardrobe, but it’s also a sustainable choice. To make your own, you will need: white shirts, dye, laundry detergent, and sodium hydrosulfite. Check out an online indigo-dyeing tutorial for all of the instructions. It’s an easy and eco-friendly process!
Fabric Bunting
If you’re looking for a fun way to add decoration to your home and clothes, fabric bunting is the way to go. It takes up scraps of fabric that you may not be using otherwise. You can use these decorations to spruce up any space or to make some custom accessories or clothing. To make your own, you’ll need fabric scraps, a ruler for measuring, scissors, needles, thread, and needle threaders. After that, you can either hand-sew or machine-sew!
Reversible Raincoat
Go beyond the average raincoat by making your own two-in-one reversible raincoat. With this stylish DIY project, you’ll get a lot of mileage out of your raincoat and your fabrics. You can add any touches you’d like, from pockets to zipper lengths, and even a secret fit inside the lining. All you’ll need is two kinds of waterproof fabric like waxed cotton fabric, waterproof zippers, and the right measurements of fabric for your custom coat.
Accessories
What better way to make a fashion statement than with your own fun and unique accessories? You can make any item with a little bit of creativity and the right materials. Choose something easy, like a knotted headband, or something a bit more complex, like jewelry. All you’ll need to get started is fabric or scrap yarn, scissors, a few hand sewing materials, and an extra touch of fun with sequins, beads, or glitter. Get creative and make a statement!
Creative personal touches can make a limitless number of sustainable, eco-friendly fashion statements- and doing so not only reduces waste, but also can be an empowering expression of how we can strive towards more sustainable living. So don’t be afraid to explore sustainable style and create a look that’s unique and impactful—you’ll look and feel amazing, inside and out!
