One of the best things about personal style is how it’s a journey; we grow and our fashion sense comes along with us – it’s an exciting evolution. But, there is a big downside to this that is the inevitable wastefulness. We end up throwing out clothes that we’ve outworn and outgrown.
Thankfully, there’s growing awareness around this issue. There are more innovations to break the wasteful cycle for both fashion-makers and consumers alike. We believe that fashion itself isn’t inherently destructive – we just need to revolutionize the way we think of it by advancing towards sustainable models.
We can start with the clothes that we already have, those that fill up our closet but don’t get enough use. It is estimated that there are 92 million tonnes of clothes that end up in the landfill every year. Here’s what you can do to lessen your contribution to the waste:
Mend
When you’ve outworn something to the point of having rips, holes, and other damages, don’t throw it out right away. Have it mended. There are plenty of local seamstresses that can do repairs and make your clothes look good as new. For more major damages, don’t be afraid to get creative. Large holes can serve as canvasses for fabric patches, embroidery and other colorful solutions. Think outside of the box to give your clothes the longevity they deserve.
Upcycle
If your clothes are beyond mending, try upcycling. It’s the process of making something new out of discarded objects. Unlike mending one piece of clothing, you can upcycle by combining multiple pieces together. Repurpose whatever fabric you have to create an entirely new thing. Stitch old jeans together to make a new pair of denim shorts, or mix different patterned blouses to create one colorful dress – let your creativity take the wheel.
Donate
For clothes that have no way of fitting into your current style anymore, donate them to charity. Think of it as rehoming – bringing them to a new owner who will give them the love they deserve. However, do note that government regulations currently prohibit the donation of clothes under COVID-19 guidelines. Store them and keep them safe until the time comes that you can donate.
Recycle
For clothes that are too damaged to be mended, upcycled, or donated, don’t throw them just anywhere – dispose of them for recycling. There are retail stores and organizations that accept used clothing. They bring the clothes to facilities that can break them down to make new textiles. Bayo actually participates in the purchase of these recycled fibers which we turn into new pieces. We have clothes made of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) in our stores today.
Learn to Shop Better
Whatever you choose to do with your old clothes, there is one important thing you should take away from the experience – the practice of buying better. From here on out, be conscious with your shopping decisions. View clothes as long-term investments to treasure and hold, not just as disposable and replaceable things. The smarter you shop, the less you’ll have to contribute to the wasteful cycle.
