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Do you love fashion? Do you love scarves? Do you wonder how to green your wardrobe? It seems like the fashion industry in America becomes more disposable each year. I try to stay on top of the trends but as a mom of two I tend to stick with a few basic pieces and lots of accessories. It’s easier for me to update an outfit with modern accessories than it is to purchase new clothes. I’m also a big fan of sharing – or should I say acquiring new items from my best friend. Since I have a flexible job that allows me to work at home my wardrobe has shrunk and I don’t actually shop for clothes more than a few times a year. My friend on the other hand knows the ladies at Dillard’s by name (or at least that’s what her husband thinks)! When she cleans her closet she knows who to pass them along to – sometimes I think I should just pay her to shop for me!
Anyways – the point of my story is that fashion all around the globe is disposable – not just here in America. We need to be responsible in our purchases and in our disposal methods. I had never given any thought to other cultures and their impact on the fashion industry and the environment. In India for instance women typically wear silk saris – about 15 feet of silk fabric that they wrap around them.
There is a company in Florida, GreenSewn, who decided to use some of the retired silk sari fabric and upcycle them into beautiful silk scarves – and no two scarves will ever be the same. I was sent a turquoise multi scarf to review and I fell in love with it the second I opened the package. I love silk fabrics and I’ve worn scarves on and off for years. The turquoise colors are so vivid and work perfectly with my fashion basics (jeans and a black top) to create a fresh look.
For every purchase made at GreenSewn a donation of 10 trees will be made to Trees for the Future – a non-profit organization that promotes sustainable forestry and education around the world.
Five more ways you can green your wardrobe:
1. Reuse – shop at consignment and thrift stores for your clothing.
2. Donate or Share – there are many people who either admire your clothing choices or are really in need of clothing. Find an organization in your area that will supply your old business wardrobe to homeless or battered women who are trying to get back on their feet.
3. Upcycle – If you are really creative you can upcycle used clothing into fashionable and modern pieces like those seen at New Dress A Dayblog. I’ve upcycled our t-shirts into fashionable baby clothes and scarves for myself.
4. Sustainable fabrics – this one is a little harder but look for items that are made from organic or natural fibers. It’s becoming easier every day to find these alternatives showing up in the major fashion lines.
5. Go naked! Ok so that one was a joke but we can really simplify our wardrobes quite a bit. Do we really need to have 20 pairs of jeans or shoes in our closet? Or do we just want them? Simplify your wardrobe and stick with the basics that won’t go out of style next season. I can’t tell you how many years I’ve worn the same ‘Little Black Dress’ to a party with fresh accessories.
What steps have you taken to green your wardrobe?
Disclosure: I received a GreenSewn scarf for review and the opinions in this post are my own.
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