Be Green

“Eco Chic”

Our new sign promotes a new department at Upscale Downtown. Represented by Allie McConnell, Erica “Bee” Askin, Marria Roth and her daughter, Marla Fay. These articles of clothing are “repurposed” and very “green”. They can use fabrics and material from once worn clothing in recombinations to make something new and uniques, a sweater made with scarfs as sleeves, reversible fabric bags, skirts made from jeans and men’s shirts, vintage fabric repurposed into pocketbooks and other accessories and vintage ties that now are a cape or a camisole!

“To recycle means to reclaim items for another use. When you recycle clothing, you find continued use for garments you no longer want. A family member’s wardrobe expands at no cost when garments are passed to others who can use them. On a larger scale recycling shows concern for the environment. First, it helps preserve natural resources. Fabrics are made from either natural or manufactured fibers. Recycling helps conserve the sources of these fibers as well as the energy used at every step of the manufacturing process. It also reduces waste by extending the life of a garment or fabric. The longer you keep a garment in use, the longer you keep it out of a landfill. Be imaginative. What accessories could you make from an old pair of jeans? How about a sturdy belt pack made from one of the legs, and a clutch purse from the other, a throw pillow or shoe bag are other possibilities.”*
-Via Clothing, Fashion, Fabrics & Construction Textbook.

From the March 2008 Inside Business story Designer Fashion for Less: “[For founders Barbara Levitt and Susan Tritter], Consignment was appealing because it’s environmentally friendly. ‘People have new, or mostly new, clothes to get rid of and instead of throwing them away, we can recycle them. It’s a green process,’ said Tritter. ‘We don’t like to waste anything, and the fact is you get more at a consignment shop than you get at a new store, and it’s unique.’“