The Future of Fashion: Recycled Clothing and Footwear
Going green is a trend that’s here to stay and for many people, the easiest first steps are recycling and making more conscientious purchasing decisions. You can combine both of these initiatives by investing in recycled clothing and footwear instead of fast-fashion, which has had a serious impact on the environment.
Did you know that it’s one of the biggest contributors to pollution because of all the waste it creates? From the production practices to the growing landfills packed with these clothes that constantly need to be replaced, fast fashion’s impact is far reaching. From garments made from recycled trash to biodegradable wedding dresses, more and more brands are committing to sustainable fashion practices, and you can too.
To make your mark by shrinking your footprint, you can begin revamping your wardrobe from top to bottom with items that are recycled, starting with these recommendations:
Sustainably Made Shoes
Let’s start with one of the most important parts of your wardrobe—your shoes. Fortunately, there are many shoe brands taking steps in the right direction, including Rothy’s. Not only are Rothy’s shoes always on-trend but they’re also sustainable and comfortable. By using eco-friendly materials including thread made from repurposed plastic water bottles and bio-based algae, running their workshop that’s held to the highest sustainability standards, and shipping their shoes directly in their boxes, Rothy’s is able to make shoes that you can feel good about wearing for years to come.
Try them out and you won’t be able to find a reason to look elsewhere. Whatever your preferred shoe style, from flats to sneakers, they have you covered. Start with a pair of cute Chelsea boots just in time for the cooler months.
Recycled Denim
Jeans are a staple in nearly everyone’s wardrobe, so they’re also a big source of waste. But, when it comes to your denim, you can do better. Thanks to the uptick in demand from consumers, there are plenty of options for eco-friendly jeans—including arguably the most well-known name in denim, Levi’s. Levi’s has been the go-to retailer for well-fitting jeans for decades and they still are, even for those who are striving for an eco-friendly wardrobe. The company is dedicated to using recycled fabrics and sustainable materials to make their iconic jeans.
They have a broad selection of recycled denim including their 711 skinny jeans, wedgie fit women’s jeans, and their popular exposed button mom jeans. Today, they’ve committed to re-purposing old vintage denim, use responsibly sourced cotton and lyocell, and reducing their water consumption in the production process.
Tees & Outerwear
Top off your look with recycled tees and outerwear by Recover. They reuse plastic bottles and upcycle cotton, turning them comfy yet stylish tees and outerwear you’ll love. Thanks to their dedication to eco-friendly fashion, not only has Recover been able to divert 7.8 million plastic bottles from the landfill, but they’ve also saved 29.2 million kilowatts of energy, 11.8 million pounds of carbon emissions, and 2 billion gallons of water. Plus, their clothes are buttery soft.
You can take comfort in knowing that when you throw on one of their classic v-neck tees, you’ve made a choice that looks and feels good.
Accessories
No look is complete without the right accessories and fortunately you don’t have to sacrifice them. You may be aware that a lot of jewelry companies are scrutinized for their unethical practices and wasteful materials. However, there are many brands that are dedicated to breaking that stigma.
From designers who are passionate about recycling E-waste that can be turned into metal jewelry to major companies who are focused on making ethically sourced diamonds trendy, there are virtually limitless options to find accessories that suit your style.
As you can see, there are plenty of stylish ways to wear recyclable fashion, from shoes and clothing all the way down to your accessories. While starting to integrate eco-friendly pieces into your wardrobe is a great first step, don’t forget to also recycle your old clothes to help prevent them from ending up in landfills. You’ll have to invest some time and money to start dressing sustainably, but it’ll be worthwhile when you can enjoy the peace of mind that you’re part of the solution.