5 Tips to Keep You Looking Eco-Fabulous Before the Holidays

Black Friday was as busy as ever this year with people wanting to catch good deals while they lasted. For you, the green connoisseur, the luxurious but still very eco-conscious consumer, here are some tips to keep you fashion forward this winter, but without environmental blunder or busting your budget. 1) Don’t Forget Your Layers Layering items is the best way to stay warm and show off your fashion sensibilities in the winter months. Instead of wearing your biggest and warmest winter coat all through the winter, check the weather and see if you would fair better pairing your favorite sweater with a stylish vest and a lighter jacket over-top. Enough layers can keep things interesting and keep you warm. 2) What’s Old is New As you might be looking through your current wardrobe and wanting something new, think about your friends who might be having the same thought. Hosting a swap-party or else just inviting a friend over to raid your closet and then having them return the favor is a great way to recycle by bring new-to-you items into your wardrobe. Swapping clothes, shoes, and accessories with your friends is a great way to spice up your attire while helping out a friend and without spending a dime! 3) Just Sew It! Some items are too precious to ever let go, no matter what shape they’re in. Beloved sweaters with holes, ripped jeans, and purses with broken straps are a few of the thing that you might have around the house that could still be used in a fabulous way. A needle and thread can do wonders towards transforming an unusable item back to its original state. If it seems hard to find the time to sit down and sew, try doing it while watching your favorite television show. For ripped jeans, think about adding a patch with a flash of color to update the look. 4) Reclaim it In the course of life, things get broken or lost. Earrings with missing partners or broken jewelry or ceramics are a part of this system, but there are new creations to be made out of the remains. For single earrings, try using a necklace chain and fashioning the earring into a pendant. Broken jewelry can often be made into either charm bracelets or another useful jeweled item like a wine glass charm. Broken ceramics can be saved and used for pottery projects for you or an artistically inclined friend. 5) Remember the Internet For those items that don’t hold the same sentimentality, remember that there are many more way to sell them than to host a yard sale. Using websites such as Ebay and Craig’s List are an easy way to sell your unwanted items. The profits made from the sale could give you the chance to turn around and purchase new-to-you replacement items on the aforementioned site. So, while saving up to spoil your loved ones, use these tips to save money and the environment this winter while still remaining fashion forward. Image Credit: A Little Girl Talk, Flickr, Chica and Jo

5 Ways to Reuse and Recycle Your Old Clothes

Seven percent of the trash piled up in our landfills is old clothes, worn-out bedding, and outgrown shoes.  Instead of adding to that heap of everlasting waste, find ways to reduce and recycle when you clean out your closet.  From creative projects to beneficial recycling programs, there are plenty of ways to bring new life to your old clothes.

1. Turn your old clothes into toys and play props.  Get the kids involved and transform sleeves, pant legs, and socks into puppets and simple dolls.  Reuse buttons for eyes and scraps for stuffing.  Some old clothing, especially work uniforms and accessories, can turn into hours of fun as imaginative dress-up props.  If you don't have children at home, talk to a local daycare center or kindergarten class to find a recipient.  
2. Swap for something new.  Attend a Swap-o-rama-rama event with your old clothes and learn how to create your own recycled clothing.  Started in 2005 by Wendy Tremayne, the organization is much more than a clothing swap - after the swap, there are DIY workshops that help swappers make new creations.
3. Give them away.  Outgrown and unwanted clothing that is still in good condition can be reused by someone else.  Give children's clothes to another mom or donate your items to a local thrift shop or charity.  Evening gowns, bridesmaids' dresses, and other formal wear can make the prom more exciting for someone when you donate them to a local organization like Gown Town - allowing area teens to 'shop' for their free prom dress.
4. Recycle your worn-out clothes.  Textile recycling bins are being considered at several local landfills and clothing recycling events are held in a variety of locations throughout the year.  Patagonia accepts several types of materials through their clothing recycling program.  If you're having trouble finding a place to accept your old garments for recycling, most nonprofit organizations that take clothing donations will send unwearable items to a manufacturer that recycles the fabric.
5. Make them into something new.  Old t-shirts and worn out socks make excellent cleaning rags, but there are plenty of more creative things you can do with your old clothes.  Use scraps of baby clothes and special outfits to make a quilt; turn old denim into a rustic throw pillow; let the kids help turn old clothing into doll clothes.  A number of recycled clothing projects were included here.

Whether you donate, recreate, or recycle it, there are plenty of options to keep your old clothes out of the landfill.  Share your favorite ways to reuse or recycle clothing in the comments!

Image: miltedflower via Flickr