Pictured at right: The author steps out in a revamped ’80s sundress from designer Debbie Brosenne. Photo by Robin Ganter.
By Summer Bowen
As the owner of an eco-fashion boutique [1], I’m frequently approached by
women looking to green their closet. They tell me, “I’m going to get
rid of all my clothes so you can help me build an eco-friendly fashion
collection from the ground up.”
The picture is quite romantic — throwing all of your pesticide-laden
cotton shirts and petroleum-derived polyester in the front yard,
sprinkling generous amounts of nail polish remover on top and lighting
a match, while vowing your dedication to the planet... Stop! This is
decidedly not easy on the earth (and could very well get you arrested).
While buying brand new sustainable clothing is a great way to lessen
the fashion industry’s impact on the earth, it isn’t the best or only
way to go green. Before smacking down the plastic for an entirely brand
new eco-wardrobe, try on these green fashion tricks.
Go Shopping in Your Own Closet
Believe it or not, the most eco-friendly wardrobe in the whole wide
world is the one you already have. Most likely, stuffed in the back of
your closet there are a few diamonds in the rough a local tailor could
do wonders with. Too tight? Too loose? Too last-season? Have a sit down
with your seamstress to talk solutions. Bring in a few magazine clips
of the latest styles... perhaps you’ll walk out with a new pair of slim
pants born out of those tired old bootcut jeans. And if you’re the
do-it-yourself kind, try creating this season’s Bermuda shorts out of
the khakis you used to wear way back when.
Not Your Grandma’s Goodwill
Thrift stores can conjure up images of stuffy pantsuits, fake pearls
and mothballs. But in the last decade, the second-hand clothing
industry has evolved into a powerhouse that keeps fashionistas drooling
for hours. Some second-hand stores specialize in slightly used high
fashion, a la Prada and Fendi. And many of these resale stores are more
discerning about what they put on their racks than shops on Rodeo
Drive. If you don’t mind digging a little, there are still great finds
at non-profit thrift stores like Out of the Closet [2] and The Salvation
Army [3]. Plus, there’s always Ebay [4], baby!
Stage a Naked Lady Party
Not nearly as naughty as it sounds, the “naked lady” party involves a
few pals, their unwanted wardrobe pieces, and some organic [4] beverages.
In the Evite, ask guests to clear their closets of the clothes and
accessories they never wear and bring them on over for the other guests
to try out. Have an elbow-throwing free for all, or an organized
auction-house-like event. Either way, your friends will rid their
closets of unwanted duds, and end up with something new, fun, and free!
No time to throw a party? Find a pre-arranged clothing swap near you on
the growing list at Swap-o-rama-rama [5].
It Used to Be What?
Inner tubes into belts? Billboard signs into purses? A few savvy
eco-fashion designers have been using landfill-bound junk to create
wardrobe ready items. Green designer Debbie Brosenne [6] buys second-hand
1980s dresses and disarms them of their shoulder pads, pointed sleeves
and gaudy flowers. She then turns the once-hideous frocks into
sundresses that’ll wow all the ladies at the luncheon.
So blow out that match and ditch the slash and burn eco-wardrobe
tactics. Why stop, drop, and roll, when you can reduce, reuse and
recycle?
Summer Bowen lives in Santa Monica where she runs her online eco-boutique, BTC Elements [7]. She blogs about running a green business and living a similar lifestyle.