Reusing Old Clothes

Reusing old clothes is an important issue that needs to be addressed in today’s world. With the reduction in the amount of sustainable fashion and the rapid emergence, growth and popularity of fast fashion, it is now of critical importance that we show some concern towards our environment which is bearing the brunt of our habit of throwing away old clothes. An estimated 18.6 million tonnes of clothing ended up in landfills in 2020. Clothes release toxic gas when they decompose in landfills. Along with the rest of the garbage in landfills, clothes release toxic greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane into the environment. In this blog, we explore some instances of old clothes being reused and also try to understand what you can do with your old clothes as an individual instead of throwing them away.

Let’s first look at some popular clothing brands that are recycling old clothes. In 2014, Levi’s launched a clothing recycling initiative in partnership with I:CO, a global solutions provider to accept clothing in any condition in exchange for 10% off on a Levi’s purchase. More recently, Levi’s started another initiative. Shoppers can exchange denims of any brand for 20% off on Levi’s clothes. These old clothes and denims are then recycled. H&M’s garment collection program that started in 2013 has collected a large amount of clothing through customer donations at stores around the world. Shoppers can get 15% off on their next purchase in exchange for any old clothes. The old textiles are separated into categories such as re-wear, reuse, and recycle. They are either sold second-hand, converted into other garments or broken down to textile fibers to manufacture other products. Let’s consider an example from India. Doodlage, an Indian startup is playing an important role in recycling old clothes. The Delhi-based startup was founded by Kriti Tula in 2012 and it upcycles and recycles clothes to produce fashionable outfits for people aged 18 to 45 years. The waste they collect during upcycling is also used to make home furnishings and bags.

You can also re-size your old jeans for a better fit instead of throwing them out. For example, here's how to turn a pair of bootcut jeans into a straight fit. Mark out the desired measurements using another pair and rip the seams from the inside leg. Turn the jeans inside out and cut away the excess fabric from the edges, sewing them using a whip stitch. Remember to start from the top and use smaller stitches for security. For an additional step, you can hem the bottom of the jeans by cutting half an inch below the desired length, folding it back up and sewing with a straight stitch. You can either use threads that complement the jeans or blend in easily. The process is very simple, and you don't even need a sewing machine!

Here's a site you can refer to for the stitches used:

https://www.kresent.com/types-of-hand-stitches/

Speaking of new ways to reuse clothes. The new trend in pop culture and fashion is the implementation of art and freedom into daily attire. Instead of discarding unused articles of clothing one can grab a pint of acrylics and some brushes and vent out their feelings onto the clothing to their heart's content. This in hindsight also saves the individual money as they need not invest in canvases and easels to create art but can create and wear their own art.

Actions speak louder than words so here is an attempt of one of our own bloggers in the trend.

The beauty of this trend is that one need not be an artist to make the article of clothing look good but can simply doodle on the old cloth to create a statement piece.

Even the singer Billie Eilish commends this trend so grab some brushes and stroke your pain and frustrations away!

Source: https://stealherstyle.net/

If you have clothes that cannot be reused, you can always give them away! Clothes you've grown out of, clothes that you don't wear anymore, or that one outfit that never moves from the corner of your wardrobe; don't hesitate to donate them. The sad truth is that there are innumerable people out there in need, and you can reach out to them personally or through NGOs and orphanages. Instead of throwing your clothes away, give them away, for it can make a small and yet huge difference. The clothes have received much love from you, and now it's time for them to spread warmth and smiles elsewhere!