Rachel’s idea
A couple of weeks ago I read a post by Rachel the blogger at Rachel the Hat. She had made a pledge that she would try to wear every item she buys at least 30 times. Her reasoning was to slow fashion down.
Slowing down fashion means to be more friendly to your own budget, and to the environment.
Fast fashion harms the environment
Before, I show how I “repeated” the same item – a red sued e skirt – in 30 outfits, I want to give you an idea on how (fast) fashion impacts the environment. Indeed, fashion causes a lot of environmental harm and pollution. Wool, for instance, stems from sheep. Sheep feed on grass. When you want to produce more wool sweaters or coats, you need more sheep to increase the wool production. Consequently, you need more grassland or you overgraze the land. Overgrazing however, leads to long recovery of the grass, as well as soil and dust uptake by wind. The fertile upper soil layer is carried away by wind or washed away easily by rain. The soil dust in the air gets transported over long distances meaning it affects the Earth’s radiation budget and hence climate. The change from healthy grass to bare land also affect the energy and water cycle at least locally.
What I said above about wool applies also for cashmere, and mohair.
Dyeing of fabrics or leather, for instance, pollutes water. The transport of clothes from the manufacturer to the stores and from the store to your home means transport and hence traffic emissions.
Other fashion related chemicals
It is well know that huge and cheap cotton production relies on fertilizers and pesticides. Production of nylon and synthetics needs fossil resources.
How I repeated my suede skirt in 30 outfits
The photos below give inspirations on how you can wear the same item again and a gain without repeating an outfit. The trick is to style it differently each time you wear it. Of course, there is nothing wrong with repeating an entire outfit, especially a great one. However, if you find it boring to repeat an outfit, you will have to be creative.
1. 
Burberry trench coat with Loft striped top, G-III suede skirt, statement necklace, Salvatore Ferragamo pumps (all own) and wood watch c/o Jord
3. 
Work outfitwith G-III skirt, Eddie Bauer sweater, GNW tight, Gloria Vanderbilt pumps (all own)
5. 
Levis denim jacket with G-III suede skirt, polka dot print Keds, Ray Ban sunglasses, Celine tote (all own) and striped T-shirt c/o Marine Layer
7. 
Andrew Marc shearling motorcycle jacket, G-III skirt, GNW tights, Manolo Blahnik booties, and YSL bag (all own)
9. 
VS leather bomber jacket, Anne Klein sweater, G-III suede skirt, GNW tights, and Manolo Blahnik booties (all own)
11. 
G-III skirt, Ann Taylor blazer, Harley Davidson booties (all own)
13. 
GNW tights, G-III suede skirt, GNW cardigan worn as a top, BeBe leather jacket with zipper details
15. 
Burberry trench coat, G-III skirt, August Silk top, Hunter rain boots, Jaeger tote and umbrella (all own)
17. 
Jones New York cardigan, G-III skirt, Oliveo chambray shirt, DIY statement necklace (all own)
19. 
G-III suede skirt, multi-color pumps, loft v-ncek sweate, and Celine bag (all own)
21. 
Anne Klein cable-knit turtleneck sweater, GNW ight, G-III skirt, Peter Kaiser block heel pumps, opera length pink pearls, and Hermes collier de chien belt (all own)
23. 
Leather top with G-III suede skirt, leopard print scarf, Modalo Pippa bag, gray T-strap pumps (all own)
25. 
Barbour cable-knit dress worn over G-III suede skirt belted with Moschino belt for shape and proportions, GNW tights, Manolo Blahnik booties
27. 
G-III suede skirt with Sofie cashmere cardigan, silk scarf, tights, and shearling booties (all own)
29. 
Rose dust lace 3/4 sleeves halftee c/o Halftee with own G-III suede skirt, sweater, GNW tight, Manelo Blanik booties and opera length rose pearl necklace
2. 
G-III skirt with Gucci belt, GNW Luxe sweater, GNW tight, Antonio Melani booties, and LV scarf (all own)
4. 
G-III suede skirt with GNW cashmere sweater, GNW tights, Manilo Blanik booties, triple pearl necklace (all own) and Akoya pearls c/o The Pearl source
6. 
Levis denim jacket with G-III suede skirt, Aldo leopard print pony hair pumps Ray Ban sunglasses, Celine tote (all own) and striped T-shirt c/o Marine Layer
8. 
Eddy Bauer Fair Isle sweater with ethnic belt, Great Northwest denim shirt, G-III suede skirt, GNW tights, and Double H lace-up booties (all own)
10. 
Lookbook Store motorcycle jacket, G-III suede leather skirt, GNW cable-knit pattern tights, Harley Davidson booties, and pearls (all own)
12. 
Crewneck sweater, G-III suede skirt, GNW tights, and Gloria Vanderbilt pumps (all own)
14. 
G-III skirt with VS leather shell and strappy multi color sandals
16. 
GNW abstract print cardigan, G-III skirt, Hermes collier de chien belt, pumps (all own)
18. 
GNW cardigan, GNW leopard print cardigan worn as top, G-III skirt and Moschino belt (all own)
20. 
Steve Madden Mary Janes, GNW tight, G-III skirt, Burberry blazer, Loft sweater, Oliveo button-down shirt, and LV bucket bag (all own)
22. 
Halogen quilted cropped jacket, G-III skirt, Steve Madden Mary Janes, Loft sweater (all own)
24.
G-III skirt, VS motorcycle leather vest with studs, GNW cardigan worn as top, and LV multi-color saddlebag (all own)
26. 
GNW cardigan worn as top, G-III suede skirt, and Chanel belt (all own)
28.
Great Northwest utility jacket, G-III skirt, Loft sweater, camouflage booties (all own)
30. 
G-III skirt, Aldo pumps, Esprit bag, and statement necklace c/o Almo Jewellery
How would you style this suede leather skirt? Have you ever thought about the environmental impact of your clothes? Let me know, I am curious. Send me an email.
When you like the idea of slowing fashion down to help the environment, spread the idea by tweeting your friends have you ever thought about how fast fashion affects the environment?.
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Photos: G. Kramm
Copyright 2013-2017 Nicole Mölders | All rights reserved
