How Upcycled Clothing Is Redefining Fashion

Explore the power of upcycled clothing and how small creative changes can impact the world. Get inspired to create your own sustainable closet!

Fashion Trends change just about every week and the planet can no longer keep up with such change. Every year tons of clothing end up as waste and the planet can take no more. What is the solution? First of all top buying into fast fashion. Second, thrift and upcycle.

What Is Upcycled Clothing?

Upcycling clothing is turning your old or discarded items into something new that you would rather wear instead. Not quite like recycling, instead of throwing out your wardrobe completely, try cutting it up and sewing it together to become more wearable. Turn an old pair of jeans that do not fit anymore into a cute new tote bag, a skirt into a new top, mix matching fabrics into a jacket, or some sheets into a dress. Not only can you upcycle clothing but even furniture, jewelry, bottles, and almost anything that is just laying around in your home. Upcycling is about reimagining what you already own.

Some Upcycled Clothing Ideas To Try:

• Make a silly stuffed animal with scrap fabric
• Add embroidery or paint onto basic pieces
• Use random fabric to patch up holes
• Turn jeans into a shirt or tote bag
• Button up T-Shirts? Halter top!
• Old dress shirts into aprons
• Turn a sweater into mittens
• Fabric dye

Upcycled clothing is not just about being creative.

It is about building a sustainable closet that has a story.

Every piece made is a statement against fast fashion.

Upcycling invites you to create pieces that are unique and long lasting, NOT DISPOSABLE.

Make fashion with purpose.

Lidia Hurtado is a Digital Marketing student who is passionate about sustainability and making creative changes. She writes about overconsumption, mindful media use, and how to resist fast fashion trends that fuel waste. Lidia hopes to inspire mindful habits that make sustainability achievable and stylish.