The tree-hugger side of me cannot contain my excitement for Monday, also known as Earth Day. The day should be spent with some locally grown produce and maybe a flower or two, but it’s also the perfect day to celebrate the Earth with fashion.
While throwing on a green T-shirt might be your idea of supporting our planet, there’s a lot you can do to reduce, reuse and recycle your clothing. Take the day to do some spring cleaning and figuring out which of your clothes you just aren’t wearing anymore.
Pull anything you don’t want, and as long as it’s in good condition, donate it to a local Goodwill or Salvation Army. You could even take your clothes to a consignment shop and try to make some cash off your closet. And while you’re at it, try shopping at some of these second-hand shops. A lot of these stores house some one-of-a-kind pieces, and you’ll get to shop while also reusing and recycling old clothes that would otherwise be thrown away.
Quick tip: While you’re looking through some of these stores, try to keep your mind open and your creative juices flowing. A long skirt can quickly become a strapless dress, and an old T-shirt can easily become a cute tank top with only a couple of adjustments.
Some of these old clothes can even be turned into ultra-crafty DIY projects, if you feel like channeling your inner Martha Stewart. Hop onto Pinterest, type DIY into the search bar and you’ll be bombarded with hundreds of ways to turn those old jeans into edgy cut-offs or ways to create a cute dress from a men’s button-down. Instead of buying something new, putting your own spin on second-hand clothes may just be the chicest way to “go green.”
Also, if you successfully pull off any of those projects, let me know, because I’m still attempting to effectively tie-dye a t-shirt… If you don’t have a crafty bone in your body (don’t worry, you’re not alone) there are also some eco-friendly options at your closest mall. Fashion brand H&M just came out with their new line of eco-friendly clothing in their appropriately named “Conscious Exclusive” collection.
The collection is available worldwide in 140 stores, according to H&M’s website. As “a partywear collection made from more sustainable materials,” the collection has pieces for both men and women, and it uses organic cotton and recycled polyester as just two of the sustainable materials used. What’s interesting about this collection is that it not only includes casual pieces, but formal ones as well. So for anyone going to spring formal, hit up H&M for some beautiful gowns that are also good for the earth.
When Earth Day comes around, don’t think the only way you can participate is by planting a tree or taking a quicker shower, although you should try to do these things as well. Even something as simple as your fashion choices can show your kindness to the earth. Use some of your Earth Day efforts to reduce the amount of clothing you buy, reuse what clothing is already out there and recycle the clothes you no longer want or need.
And if you’re really up for the challenge, try to keep your shopping to sustainable materials. Even major fashion designers are stepping up to the challenge. For example, Stella McCartney is a huge proponent of sustainable fashion and is known for staying away from any fur or leather in her designs. Try channeling this kind of lifestyle come Monday, and give a little hug to the Earth through your style choices.