How to recycle a favorite skirt in 46 looks High Latitude Style

Contents

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 repeated my suede skirt in 46 outfits
References

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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.

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. 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.

Environmental impacts of fast fashion

Before, I show how I “repeated” the same item – a red suede skirt – in 47 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 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 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

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 46 outfits

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. Eddie Bauer sweater, GNW tight, Manolo Blahnik booties (all own)

5. Levis denim jacket, 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, GNW tights, Manolo Blahnik booties, LeatherCoatsEtc gloves and YSL bag (all own)

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

11. 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, 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, August Silk top, Hunter rain boots, pantyhose, Jaeger tote and umbrella (all own)

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

19. 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, Steve Madden kitten heel pumps, Celine bag, garnet necklace, pantyhose, Hermes collier de chien band and enamel bangles (all own)

23. Leather top, Anne Klein leopard print scarf, Modalo Pippa bag, Covington T-strap pumps (all own)

25. Barbour cable-knit dress, Moschino belt, GNW tights, Manolo Blahnik booties (all own)

27. Sofie cashmere cardigan, silk scarf, tights, and Salamander shearling booties (all own)

29. 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

31. 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)

33. 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

35. Downcoat c/o Happy Goat Lucky worn with own headband, LeatherCoatsEtc gloves, GNW tight, Salamander shearling booties, Palovo scarf and Coach shearling mini bag

37. Anne Klein oblong scarf, GNW Luxe long-sleeves sweater, Hermes collier de chien bangle, pendant necklace, and Manolo Blahnik buckle booties (all own)

39. 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

41. 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

43. 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

45. 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 (all own)

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. VS motorcycle leather vest with studs, GNW cardigan worn as top, three strands pearl necklace and LV multi-color saddlebag (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.