Do you remember the days your big brother or sister’s outfitted clothes were naturally handed down to you? Somehow, the same school uniform circulated its way around the extended family, family friends or neighbours. We hated it as kids, but the reality then was, ‘what’s the point in paying for a new one when you can have a second hand one for free that’s just as good?’
Now days couldn’t be more different. With fast fashion department stores on the rise, the reality is, “what’s the point in getting a scrummy second hand set of clothes when we can just by cheap new ones. The fashion will change before you know it anyway.”
But let’s stop for a moment and think about upcycling. Google defines it as “the process of transforming by-products, waste materials, useless, or unwanted products into new materials or products of better quality or for better environmental value, also known as creative reuse.”
Do you think that our parents, all those years ago, where thinking about the environment… or was it just common sense to reuse things because, let’s face it, what’s the point in re-making something when it’s already there?
I’m pretty sure it was also common place to just own a sewing machine or know someone who can use a sewing machine on a basic level. It’s clear how society’s mentality has changed. Wouldn’t it be great to inspire people again? Here are just some simple examples (found just by typing ‘upcycling clothes’ into pinterest) of how people simply transform outdated clothing into something different and reusable… upcycling.
Have you or do you do the same? Comment with links, ideas and opinions.
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