Garnet Hill’s Recycled Pleated Midi Skirt features leopard print accordion pleats with a subdued slash edge. Lined with recycled poly chiffon and recycled poly georgette. (Photo by garnethill.com)
As much as I love new fashion (like all the great looks presented at New York Fashion Week), there’s something especially satisfying about recycled fashion. Each year, 12.8 million tons of virgin fiber end up in landfills in the United States. I think it’s up to us fashionistas to do everything we can to stop contributing to that.
Thanks to fab recycling technology, with a few clicks of a button on your keyboard, you can now find super cute designs made from high-quality textile fibers from old plastic bottles and second-hand fabrics. Recycled fashion is in its place. Here are some of my favorite places.
Buying vintage second-hand clothes is the most basic and efficient way to smartly acquire a great wardrobe. Big styles have never been so wallet-friendly. From Flare’s jeans and cashmere twin sets to embroidered blousons and iconic handbags, all you need is your favorite designer, cut, sense of time and a sense of adventure. Once, he found a classic Burberry Trench with Technicolor silk lining (new and worth $900) for $35 on a rack at Boston’s Boomerangs (shopboomerangs.org). Online, the possibilities are endless.
Don’t forget your upcycled creations.
I can’t wait to wear Toad & Co.’s Rosemarie dress in silver pine floral print ($88 at toadandco.com).
Similarly, a cool and attractive washed sand animal print version of Garnet Hill’s recycled pleated midi skirt ($129 at garnethill.com). A tank top, black cashmere turtleneck in the winter, and boots are perfect all year round. spring or autumn. I also like that it’s made with recycled poly chiffon and a recycled poly georgette lining.
American Recycled Clothing was the first company to sell used clothing in department stores like Nordstrom and Macy’s in the early 90’s. With a T like the Rcycld Out-Seam Music Tee ($32 at recycled.clothing/collections/tShirts), they still make it more personal via authentic vintage graphic music tees repurposed into tanks. I’m doing it on a level. Top with outstitch detail. From The Beatles to the Motley Crew, take your pick.
And then there are upcycled plastics – and there are so many new and innovative ways to turn them into cool clothes.The Black Compressive High-Rise Leggings ($78 at girls.com) are rugged and tall . Made from 25% recycled water bottles and 79% recycled polyester. Better yet: when you don’t wear it, send it back to recycling again for a $15 gift card. )
Winter is clearly not over, so don’t ignore the Women’s Water Resistant Puffer Jacket ($328 at tentree.com), which has a sharp design, is super warm, and is made from Repreve fabric, plastic bottles, and recycled fibers. At least 70 bottles were saved from landfills each year. For each Tentree purchase she plants 10 trees. It’s a win-win.
