Going green this season?

What does recycled, sustainable or Eco fashion mean to you? Does it conjure up ill fitting items made out of old potato bags or baggy tie dyed clothes more suited to dreadlocked Eco warriors?

The reality is garments that have been produced with the environment or social consequence in mind. Items designed with their carbon footprint considered or fabrics chosen for their impact (or not) on the environment. Clothes that have been loved and passed on. Or recycled to create something new.

I recently came across the term 'Trashion' and this is what prompted me to write this piece. I have always admired those who can turn something seemingly used and redundant into something beautiful or useful. Now don't get me wrong, you won't see me dropping the kids at school wearing an old cereal box and an Ariel bottle however you might see me wearing a bicycle tyre innard as a necklace (yes you did read that right).

Upcycled necklace created using bicycle tyre inner tubes
www.puncturedromance.moonfruit.com

Upcycling as it's also known is a wonderful way of re-using products and fabrics to create something new. Even Tescos, with it's collaboration with From Somewhere produced a range from it's own end of line stock in a Sri Lankan factory awarded gold rating for environmental responsibility.

We are all aware that to produce 'cheap' throw away fashion that there is someone at the foot of the production chain that was probably paid very little to produce that bargain. I myself am no stranger to a certain large chain store but I've really started to consider what I'm actually buying and whether it's worth the cost. By this I mean that bargain dress that I'm going to buy for around £12 but I'm only going to wear a couple of times. As well as posing a few ethical issues, that 'bargain' actually equates to £6 per wear, really I would have been better investing in something that I really liked, wore more often, didn't end up in landfill and was produced more ethically.

There has been a recent trend of brands offering a percentage or a nominal price per sale donation to charities. This has come under a bit of negative press however my thoughts are, regardless of the companies motives there are still charities that are benefiting both financially and with raised awareness - this can't be too much of a bad thing.

From Somewhere collaboration with Tescos

With dress agencies full of treasures where you can pick up a designer or quality high street item for a fraction of the price we can cash in on some of our own unworn items. A couple of high street stores are also offering incentives to return your unwanted items. Marks and Spencer have teamed up with Oxfam to help shoppers support the charities work, if you take your old Marks and Spencer clothes or soft furnishing to an Oxfam store then you will receive a £5 voucher to spend in Marks and Spencer. Monsoon run the Clothes for Life scheme. Take your old Monsoon items into store and they will give you a £10 voucher to redeem against the price of any new item worth over £50.

Things we can do:
• One man's trash is another man's treasure. Check out and utilise dress agencies.
• Swapping is a great way to give items a longer lifespan as well as bagging yourself some new clobber, consider throwing a swishing party.
• Sometimes there's that perfect vintage item just waiting to be found in your local second hand shop. If that's a step too far for you, check out places like Oxfam online and Oxfam Originals
• Do you really need to get rid of that item or would altering it make it more wearable?