Clothes often become boring because they are worn always the same way. For this post I challenged myself to recycle a favorite skirt in multiple looks. Get inspired to shop your closet for more looks from what you already own.
- Slow fashion movement: Repeat clothes in new outfits
- Environmental impacts of fast fashion
- Dye and transport pollute water and air
- Other fashion related chemicals
- How I recycled my fav skirt in multiple Looks
- References
Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post.
Slow fashion movement: Repeat clothes in new outfits
More and more women think about the environmental, economic and/or societal impacts and or sustainability of Fast Fashion. A couple of weeks ago I wrote a post about how to look at fast fashion, sustainability and quality of life.
Recycling a wardrobe favorite in multiple outfits is a Do.
Some women even made the New Year’s resolution not to buy anything for a month. Some of my friends made pledges that they would try to wear every item they buy at least 30 times to slow fashion down or to save with second hand wardrobe additions. I challenged myself to recycle my favorite skirt in multiple outfits. Slowing down fashion means to be more friendly to your own budget, and to the environment.
I wrote several posts in the past on repeating a clothing item like one sheath multiple ways. It encourages to go beyond wearing the sheath just as a dress.
Another example, which is probably more challenging to do, features how to repeat a blazer in different looks.
Environmental impacts of fast fashion
Before, I show how I “recycled” the same item – a red suede skirt – in multiple 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.
How the production of wool may affect the environment
Wool, for instance, stems from sheep. On first view, a sustainable resource. 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 wind carries the fertile upper soil layer away and/or the rain can wash it away easily. 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 affects the energy and water cycle at least locally.
What I said above about wool applies also for cashmere, and mohair, but not for musk ox underwool.
Dye and transport pollute water and air
It’s not only the making of clothing, but also the way from the producer to your closet that have environmental impacts. 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. Whenever a middleman is involved the items do not only become more expensive (without gaining value), but also take a detour to your closet.
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 Recycled My Fav Skirt in Multiple Looks
The photos below give inspirations on how you can wear a skirt again and again without repeating an outfit. The trick is to style the piece 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.
The suede skirt outfit idea below are all made with my G-III skirt that I bought for $20 in a second hand boutique.
1. Loft striped top, Salvatore Ferragamo pumps (all own) and wooden watch c/o JORD
3. Levis denim jacket, polka dot print Keds, Ray Ban sunglasses, Celine tote (all own) and striped T-shirt c/o Marine Layer
5. Andrew Marc shearling motorcycle jacket, GNW tights, Manolo Blahnik booties, LeatherCoatsEtc gloves and YSL bag (all own)
7. VS leather bomber jacket, Anne Klein sweater, GNW tights, Hermes cuff and Manolo Blahnik booties (all own)
9. GNW tight, Anne Klein scarf, Tissot watch, Ann Taylor blazer, Harley Davidson booties (all own), onyx and jade necklace c/o Almo Jewellery
11. GNW tights, GNW cardigan worn as a top, BeBe leather jacket with zipper details, Coach Chelseas and smoky quartz statement necklace (all own)
13. Burberry trench coat, August Silk top, Hunter rain boots, pantyhose, Jaeger tote and umbrella (all own)
15. Jones New York cardigan, unbranded pantyhose, Oliveo chambray shirt, DIY statement necklace, Ray Ban Jackie O. sunglasses (all own)
17. Anne Klein turtleneck sweater, G-III suede leather skirt, GNW tight, opera-length pearl necklace, Hermes collier de chien belt, Hermes collier de chien cuff, Hermes enamel bangles, Seiko watch, golden bangle, and Peter Kaiser block heel pumps
19. Loft sweater, Steve Madden kitten heel pumps, Celine bag, garnet necklace, pantyhose, Hermes collier de chien band and enamel bangles (all own)
21. Cream leather shell, gray Covington pumps, Anne Klein leopard print silk scarf, and Modalo Pippa bag (all own)
23. Barbour cable-knit dress, Moschino belt, GNW tights, Manolo Blahnik booties (all own)
25.

27. Rose dust lace 3/4 sleeves halftee c/o Halftee with own GNW sweater, GNW tight, Manelo Blanik booties and opera length rose pearl necklace
29. Shein abstract floral print top, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Hermes enamel bangles arm party, Paloma Picasso sunglasses and Very Fine Dance Sportshoes neon pink sandals (all own)
31. Armani cape, Prada satchel, Gloria VanDerBilt pointy toe pumps, unbranded pantyhose, silk rose pin, puma buckle belt, Hermes collier de chien bangle (all own) and gingham button-down c/o Whistle River
33. Downcoat c/o Happy Goat Lucky worn with own headband, LeatherCoatsEtc gloves, GNW tight, Salamander shearling booties, Palovo scarf and Coach shearling mini bag
35. Anne Klein oblong scarf, GNW Luxe long-sleeves sweater, Hermes collier de chien bangle, pendant necklace, and Manolo Blahnik buckle booties (all own)
37. GNW tight, Manolo Blahnik booties, Kieselstein Cord belt, statement buckle, GNW cardigan, Moda International (dyed) cardigan, Hermes collier de chien bangle (all own), and hand-painted artisan made scarf c/o Uno Alla Volta
39. Riders by Lee button-down Buffalo plaid shirt c/o Walmart with own Moda International cardigan (dyed), GNW tight, Manolo Blanik booties, Kieselstein Cord belt, snake tail buckle, Jodie Gum brooch
41. Floral print scarf styled as belt, GNW tight, Manolo Blanik booties, Kate Moss for Longchamp bag, triple strands pearl necklace (all own) and black blouse c/o Lilysilk
43. Riders by Lee buffalo plaid button-down shirt c/o Walmart, Anne Klein polka dot silk scarf, Kieselstein Cord belt, statement snake tail buckle, Hermes collier de chien leather band, and Nine zebra print pony hair pumps (all own)
2. Gucci G belt, GNW Luxe sweater, GNW tight, Antonio Melani booties, Hermes cuffs and LV scarf (all own) and Akoya pearls c/o The Pearl Source
4. GNW cashmere sweater, GNW tights, Hermes enamel bangles, Manolo Blahnik booties, triple pearl necklace (all own) and Akoya pearls c/o The Pearl Source
6. Levis denim jacket, Aldo leopard print ponyhair 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, GNW tights, and Double H lace-up booties (all own)
10. Lookbook Store motorcycle jacket, GNW cable-knit pattern tights, Harley Davidson booties (all own), onyx and jade necklace c/o Almo Jewellery
12. Landsend crewneck sweater, GNW tights, Hermes cuffs and Gloria Vanderbilt pumps (all own)
14. Vince leather shell, Hermes collier de chien cuff, and Studio strappy multi color sandals (all own)
16. GNW abstract print cardigan, Hermes collier de chien belt and bangle, Seiko watch, pumps (all own)
18. GNW cardigan, GNW leopard print cardigan worn as top, pantyhose, Festina watch, Hermes collier de chien bangle, D&GM sunglasses and Moschino belt
20. Steve Madden Mary Janes, GNW tight, Burberry blazer, Loft sweater, Oliveo button-down shirt, Gucci G-belt and LV bucket bag (all own)
22. Halogen quilted cropped jacket, Steve Madden Mary Janes, pantyhose, Loft sweater (all own)
24. Moda International motorcycle leather vest with GNW cardigan worn as top, G-III suede skirt, pumps, and LV multi color saddle bag with studs (all own)
26. GNW cardigan worn as top, Hermes collier de chien leather band, Paloma Picasso sunglasses and Chanel belt (all own)
28. Great Northwest utility jacket, Loft sweater, camouflage booties (all own)
30. Aldo pumps, Esprit bag, and statement necklace c/o Almo Jewellery
32. Gucci bamboo enamel buckle belt, pantyhose, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Gloria vanderBilt pointy toe heels, topas headband, Cami coat (all own) and abstract poppy print button-down shirt c/o Ethyl Clothing
34. Unbranded pantyhose, Gloria Vander Bilt pointy toe heels, Hermes collier de chien bangle, super-sized puma belt buckle, silk flower pin (all own) and gingham blouse c/o Whistle River
36. GNW cardigan, Kieselstein Cord belt, ethnic buckle, Calvin Klein block heel pumps, Oscar de la Rente oblong scarf braided as a necklace, pantyhose (all own), Italian designer bag c/o Uno Alla Volta and ruby herring bone front zipper jacket c/o Whistle River
38. Great Northwest jacket, Kieselstein Cord belt, ethnic buckle, Calvin Klein block heel pumps (all own), fringe suede leather purse c/o Uno Alla Volta, and sterling silver location cuff c/o ONecklace
40. Orvis floral print on camouflage utility jacket, Moda International sweater, GNW tight, SAK bag, Nine West camouflage pony hair booties (all own), and Joyita scarf c/o Uno Alla Volta
42. U-knit dress worn as T-shirt, Sofie cardigan, BGBC belt, Coach bag, Gipsy coat carried over the arm, JORD bamboo watch (all own), own pearl necklace twisted with Akoya pearl necklace c/o The Pearl Source Inc.
44. GNW tutleneck sweater, Anne Klein scarf, Vince Camuto boots, gemstone buckle purple imprint leather belt (all own), tights c/o Hipstik® Legwear
46. Burberry trench coat with Loft striped top, statement necklace, Salvatore Ferragamo pumps (all own) and wooden watch c/o JORD
Want to read more about environment-“friendly” fashion? Buying second hand is a great way to slow down fashion and save money.
Do you have no experience in thrifting? Then for a good start, take a look at this list of brands to look for when browsing a thrift shop.
References
Mölders, 2011. Land-Use and Land-Cover Changes – Impact on Climate and Air Quality, Springer
Did you know that you can take the stress out of getting dressed with my style book How to Dress for Success in Midlife? Buy it now.
Photos: G. Kramm
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