How to recycle a favorite skirt in 30 looks High Latitude Style

Slow fashion movement: Repeat clothes in new outfits

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.

I wrote several posts in the past on repeating a clothing item like one sheath multiple ways or how to repeat a blazer in different looks.

The Environmental impacts of fast fashion

Before, I show how I “repeated” the same item – a red suede 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.

How 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 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, but not for musk ox underwool.

Dye, transport pollute water and air

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 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 repeated my suede skirt in 30 outfits

The photos below give inspirations on how you can wear the same item 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.

1. Burberry trench coat, Loft striped top, G-III suede skirt, statement necklace, pantyhose, Hermes cuffs, Salvatore Ferragamo pumps (all own)

3. G-III skirt, Eddie Bauer sweater, GNW tight, Manolo Blahnik booties (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, LeatherCoatsEtc gloves and YSL bag (all own)

9. VS leather bomber jacket, Anne Klein sweater, G-III suede skirt, GNW tights, Hermes cuff and Manolo Blahnik booties (all own)

11. G-III skirt, GNW tight, Anne Klein scarf, Tissot watch, Ann Taylor blazer, Harley Davidson booties (all own), onyx and jade necklace c/o Almo Jewellery

13. GNW tights, G-III suede skirt, GNW cardigan worn as a top, BeBe leather jacket with zipper details, Coach Chelseas and smoky quartz statement necklace (all own)

15. Burberry trench coat, G-III skirt, August Silk top, Hunter rain boots, pantyhose, Jaeger tote and umbrella (all own)

17. Jones New York cardigan, G-III skirt, pantyhose, Oliveo chambray shirt, DIY statement necklace, Ray Ban Jackie O. sunglasses (all own)

19. G-III suede skirt, Peter Kaiser cap-toe pumps, Anne Klein cable-knit turtleneck sweater, GNW tight and opera length pink pearl necklace, Seiko watch, Hermes collier de chien bangle and belt, Hermes enamel bangles (all own)

21. Loft sweater, G-III skirt, Steve Madden kitten heel pumps, Celine bag, garnet necklace, pantyhose, Hermes collier de chien band and enamel bangles (all own)

23. Leather top with G-III suede skirt, Anne Klein leopard print scarf, Modalo Pippa bag, Covington 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 (all own)

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, 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. G-III suede skirt with 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 with G-III suede skirt, 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, 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 (all own), onyx and jade necklace c/o Almo Jewellery

12. Landsend crewneck sweater, G-III suede skirt, GNW tights, Hermes cuffs and Gloria Vanderbilt pumps (all own)

14. G-III skirt with Vince leather shell, Hermes collier de chien cuff, and Studio strappy multi color sandals (all own)

16. GNW abstract print cardigan, G-III skirt, 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, 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, Gucci G-belt and LV bucket bag (all own)