The Conscious Consumer’s Guide to Upcycling

By Fashion 6 years ago

Cate Casalme tells us the benefits of upcycling fashion, and how to be stylish, yet eco-friendly

Rebecca Bloomwood (our favourite shopaholic) confessed, “When I shop, the world gets better.” But while retail therapy feels good for the soul, what are the consequences of fast fashion on the world?

Since the 1980s, the fashion industry has been speeding up the turnaround on trends. One week it’s cropped tees, and the next it’s oversized graphic sweaters. We buy more clothing and wear them fewer times, causing more than 10.5 million tons of clothes to end up in landfills each year. But just by re-wearing clothes for an extra six to nine months, we can reduce the environmental impact by as much as 30%. The question then remains, how can we reuse clothing while staying up to date on the latest trends? The answer?  Upcycling.

Photo: Pixabay

Upcycling allows its creators to take run-of-the-mill, generic clothing and make them into unique pieces tailored to their body and tastes. Not only does it help save the environment, it also saves you money. And don’t worry if you’re not Vera Wang, you don’t need a designer eye to upcycle! Since 2017, Youtube has become a hub for upcycling resources. Vlogs that focus on sewing have become one of the most popular because, as Tilly Walnes said, “many of [the] patterns and workshops are designed with beginners in mind, so they demystify the jargon and show each step of the making process in a clear, down-to-earth way.”

For beginners, I recommend watching April Yang, known by her YouTube username “Coolirpa”. Based in Southern California, April started making upcycling videos in 2011 (a year after she learned how to sew!). She’s the perfect mix of trendy and conscious with all her creations being DIY and made from used clothing. Her most popular series, “Thrifted Transformations”, takes viewers through her process of changing old clothes from thrift shops into new pieces in line with fashion trends. It’s a great resource to draw on inspiration for reimagining clothes and a helpful sewing guide to perfecting the look. Don’t know how to sew? It’s a-okay, April’s got your back. Her series, “My Boyfriend Sews”, is not like your average “How-To” videos. By having a complete beginner learn how to sew, she creates a much more relatable and thorough lesson. April addresses common beginner’s mistakes and questions, and viewers are able to compare and check their work with someone at their skill level. Other good Youtubers to follow include Tilly Walnes (@TillyButtons), a UK seamstress with a focus on dressmaking, and Eryn (@StyleSewMe), a vlogger who focuses on everyday style with a ‘sprinkle of sexy’.

With as many events as there are in St. Andrews, and in a town with as many second hand shops as there are, one might as well tap into their inner Mary Kate Olsen and design a new wardrobe.  Although our town may only have three streets, they are full of wonderful fashion finds and endless discoveries in charity shops.  For students, this is the perfect way to stay within budget at university, as well as to learn how to upcycle and minimise the fads of fast fashion.  The only thing to do now is to keep your eyes peeled and minds open for some wonderful new pieces.  Happy Thrifting!

 

Comments

comments

Tags: , , ,

98 thoughts on “The Conscious Consumer’s Guide to Upcycling”

  2. Nice post. I learn something tougher on completely different blogs everyday. It is going to all the time be stimulating to learn content material from different writers and practice a little bit one thing from their store. I?d favor to make use of some with the content material on my weblog whether you don?t mind. Natually I?ll give you a hyperlink in your net blog. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

  3. hey there and thank you for your information ? I have certainly picked up anything new from right here. I did however expertise several technical issues using this website, since I experienced to reload the web site lots of times previous to I could get it to load correctly. I had been wondering if your web host is OK? Not that I am complaining, but slow loading instances times will sometimes affect your placement in google and could damage your quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords. Anyway I?m adding this RSS to my email and could look out for much more of your respective intriguing content. Make sure you update this again soon..

    Reply

  4. I would love to add that in case you do not currently have an insurance policy or else you do not form part of any group insurance, you may well benefit from seeking assistance from a health insurance agent. Self-employed or individuals with medical conditions usually seek the help of a health insurance brokerage. Thanks for your post.

    Reply

  6. I have seen loads of useful points on your website about computer systems. However, I have got the impression that lap tops are still not nearly powerful adequately to be a wise decision if you generally do things that require a great deal of power, including video editing and enhancing. But for internet surfing, statement processing, and quite a few other typical computer work they are perfectly, provided you don’t mind the small screen size. Many thanks for sharing your notions.

    Reply

  13. An attention-grabbing discussion is value comment. I believe that you must write extra on this subject, it might not be a taboo subject but generally persons are not sufficient to talk on such topics. To the next. Cheers

    Reply

  14. I like the valuable information you provide in your articles. I?ll bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly. I am quite sure I will learn many new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!

    Reply

  15. Greetings from Colorado! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to browse your site on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the knowledge you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m surprised at how fast your blog loaded on my phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, great blog!

    Reply

  16. I have taken note that of all sorts of insurance, health care insurance is the most marked by controversy because of the clash between the insurance coverage company’s need to remain profitable and the buyer’s need to have insurance policies. Insurance companies’ profits on overall health plans are very low, hence some corporations struggle to earn profits. Thanks for the suggestions you discuss through this web site.

    Reply

  20. I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you make this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz reply as I’m looking to construct my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from. thanks

    Reply

  21. Everything is very open with a clear explanation of the challenges. It was definitely informative. Your site is very helpful. Many thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  23. This is the right site for anybody who really wants to understand this topic. You realize so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I personally will need to…HaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a topic that’s been written about for many years. Great stuff, just wonderful.

    Reply

  24. I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here.
    The sketch is attractive, your authored material stylish.

    nonetheless, you command get bought an nervousness over that you wish be
    delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the
    same nearly very often inside case you shield this increase.

    Reply

  26. Thanks for your tips about this blog. One thing I would like to say is always that purchasing electronic products items in the Internet is nothing new. In reality, in the past 10 years alone, the marketplace for online electronics has grown drastically. Today, you can get practically any kind of electronic device and gizmo on the Internet, from cameras and camcorders to computer pieces and gambling consoles.

    Reply

  35. hi!,I love your writing so a lot! percentage we be in contact more approximately your post on AOL? I need an expert in this space to resolve my problem. May be that’s you! Looking ahead to see you.

    Reply

  36. What?s Happening i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It absolutely useful and it has aided me out loads. I hope to contribute & help other users like its helped me. Great job.

    Reply

  37. I like the valuable information you provide in your articles. I?ll bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently. I’m quite sure I will learn lots of new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!

    Reply
  40. Pingback: warsaw jobs

  44. I’ve really noticed that fixing credit activity really needs to be conducted with tactics. If not, you will probably find yourself causing harm to your rating. In order to reach your goals in fixing your credit rating you have to be careful that from this time you pay all your monthly dues promptly before their appointed date. It really is significant given that by not necessarily accomplishing that, all other methods that you will decide to try to improve your credit positioning will not be efficient. Thanks for sharing your ideas.

    Reply

  45. Thanks for your information on this blog. One particular thing I would want to say is the fact purchasing electronic devices items over the Internet is nothing new. In truth, in the past several years alone, the market for online gadgets has grown considerably. Today, you can get practically just about any electronic system and devices on the Internet, ranging from cameras plus camcorders to computer parts and video gaming consoles.

    Reply

  53. My brother suggested I would possibly like this web site. He was entirely right. This publish actually made my day. You cann’t consider simply how so much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!

    Reply

  55. Hi there very cool website!! Man .. Beautiful .. Superb .. I will bookmark your site and take the feeds additionally?I am happy to search out so many useful info right here in the publish, we’d like develop extra techniques on this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .

    Reply

  56. I would like to add when you do not surely have an insurance policy or you do not remain in any group insurance, you might well benefit from seeking aid from a health broker. Self-employed or those that have medical conditions generally seek the help of any health insurance agent. Thanks for your post.

    Reply

  57. I like the helpful information you provide in your articles. I?ll bookmark your blog and check again here frequently. I’m quite certain I?ll learn many new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!

    Reply

  58. Your style is so unique compared to other people I have read stuff from. Thank you for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I’ll just bookmark this page.

    Reply

  64. When I initially commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a remark is added I get 4 emails with the same comment. Is there any manner you can remove me from that service? Thanks!

    Reply

  65. I love what you guys tend to be up too. This kind of clever work and exposure! Keep up the awesome works guys I’ve included you guys to my own blogroll.

    Reply

  68. I used to be recommended this web site by means of my cousin. I’m not positive whether or not this submit is written through him as nobody else realize such designated about my difficulty. You are incredible! Thanks!

    Reply

  69. I’m amazed, I have to admit. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s both equally educative and amusing, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The issue is something too few folks are speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very happy that I stumbled across this in my search for something regarding this.

    Reply

  71. Hi there! I could have sworn I’ve been to your blog before but after going through some of the articles I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m certainly pleased I stumbled upon it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back often!

    Reply

  76. This is the perfect site for everyone who hopes to understand this topic. You know a whole lot its almost hard to argue with you (not that I personally would want to…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a subject that has been written about for ages. Wonderful stuff, just wonderful.

    Reply

  79. Thank you for another informative blog. The place else could I get that kind of info written in such an ideal manner? I’ve a mission that I am just now operating on, and I’ve been at the look out for such info.

    Reply

  81. After I initially left a comment I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on each time a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the same comment. Is there a means you are able to remove me from that service? Thank you.

    Reply

  82. A motivating discussion is definitely worth comment. I believe that you need to write more about this issue, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people don’t speak about these topics. To the next! All the best!

    Reply

  90. Wow, awesome blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The total look of your website is magnificent, let alone the content!

    Reply

  95. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You definitely know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your site when you could be giving us something informative to read?

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

THE STAND