June 2007 | Green Scene

Out with the Old, In with the...Old

By Summer Bowen

As the owner of an eco-fashion boutique, I’m frequently approached by women looking to green their closet. They tell me, “I’m going to get rid of all my clothes so you can help me build an eco-friendly fashion collection from the ground up.”

The picture is quite romantic — throwing all of your pesticide-laden cotton shirts and petroleum-derived polyester in the front yard, sprinkling generous amounts of nail polish remover on top and lighting a match, while vowing your dedication to the planet... Stop! This is decidedly not easy on the earth (and could very well get you arrested).

While buying brand new sustainable clothing is a great way to lessen the fashion industry’s impact on the earth, it isn’t the best or only way to go green. Before smacking down the plastic for an entirely brand new eco-wardrobe, try on these green fashion tricks.

Go Shopping in Your Own Closet

Believe it or not, the most eco-friendly wardrobe in the whole wide world is the one you already have. Most likely, stuffed in the back of your closet there are a few diamonds in the rough a local tailor could do wonders with. Too tight? Too loose? Too last-season? Have a sit down with your seamstress to talk solutions. Bring in a few magazine clips of the latest styles... perhaps you’ll walk out with a new pair of slim pants born out of those tired old bootcut jeans. And if you’re the do-it-yourself kind, try creating this season’s Bermuda shorts out of the khakis you used to wear way back when.

Not Your Grandma’s Goodwill

Thrift stores can conjure up images of stuffy pantsuits, fake pearls and mothballs. But in the last decade, the second-hand clothing industry has evolved into a powerhouse that keeps fashionistas drooling for hours. Some second-hand stores specialize in slightly used high fashion, a la Prada and Fendi. And many of these resale stores are more discerning about what they put on their racks than shops on Rodeo Drive. If you don’t mind digging a little, there are still great finds at non-profit thrift stores like Out of the Closet and The Salvation Army. Plus, there’s always Ebay, baby!

Stage a Naked Lady Party

Not nearly as naughty as it sounds, the “naked lady” party involves a few pals, their unwanted wardrobe pieces, and some organic beverages. In the Evite, ask guests to clear their closets of the clothes and accessories they never wear and bring them on over for the other guests to try out. Have an elbow-throwing free for all, or an organized auction-house-like event. Either way, your friends will rid their closets of unwanted duds, and end up with something new, fun, and free! No time to throw a party? Find a pre-arranged clothing swap near you on the growing list at Swap-o-rama-rama. (swaporamarama.org)

It Used to Be What?

Inner tubes into belts? Billboard signs into purses? A few savvy eco-fashion designers have been using landfill-bound junk to create wardrobe ready items. Green designer Debbie Brosenne buys second-hand 1980’s dresses and disarms them of their shoulder pads, pointed sleeves and gaudy flowers. She then turns the once-hideous-frocks into sundresses that’ll wow all the ladies at the luncheon.

So blow out that match and ditch the slash and burn eco-wardrobe tactics. Why stop, drop, and roll, when you can reduce, reuse and recycle?

Summer Bowen lives in Santa Monica where she runs her online eco-boutique, BTC Elements (btcelements.com). She blogs about running a green business and living a similar lifestyle.