REFASHIONING by Charlotte Bryn

One minute you’re in, the next minute you’re out- says everyone in the fashion

industry including models, designers, merchandisers, etc. It’s a little bit scary how fast it

moves sometimes. It’s like the same classics are always in, but done in a different way!

And then the next thing you know, you run out of closet space after a single Nordstrom

run. I’m going to be that one heroic person who saves you from this dreaded fashion

tornado. And how am I going to do that? By first giving you, the reader, researched

information on fashion waste and how to be more environmentally generous during the

holiday season. I’m not going to lie, it’s not cute. But it WILL help you make the right

decision for yourself on which brands to fund and how you can be a part of the solution.

For starters, one of the best ways to limit the landfill is by going thrift shopping.

According to Fortune.com, the thrift industry is supposed to reach $10.3 billion in

revenue for 2020. And rightfully so. It’s crazy. There’s so many thrift stores all across the

country, you’d have to really look to somehow NOT see one near you. And if somehow

you haven’t discovered one, there’s plenty of online options. For example- ThredUp,

Swap.com, thrifted.com, Etsy, etc. I will say, there is a common misconception. That thrift

stores are outdated, that the clothes in them are ratted or worn out in some way.

However, virtually every online thrift store has frequent trend reports. Thredup not only

has reports, but also the best brands for certain price points, as well as helpful market

information. And no, before you come at me this isn’t sponsored, I just love ThredUp. Not

only are there trendy online stores, there are also plenty of in-person options for the rest

of you daredevil fashionistas.

*Pro tip: if you go, match your mask to your outfit!*

Popular ones are Uptown Cheapskate, Goodwill, and Plato’s Closet. You should try them

out sometime.

Aside from alternative shopping options, there are also alternative repurposing

options. And with coronavirus blended with the holiday season, saving money is more

important than ever. Repurposing is when you take something like a sweater for

example, and maybe turn it into a pillowcase, a different shirt, or even a fuzzy pair of

socks! It can be fun, as long as you are okay with spending a good amount of time

crafting whatever it is you’re crafting. For me, there comes a point where you feel over

it, like a get it over with, like they’re just going to rip-it-open-anyway type of point. Like a

“Holy cow, I still have to do gifts for 7 other people!” feeling. Yeah. It’s really stressful

sometimes. But, this is also a special time of year. Imagine seeing their face when they

open the gift you worked so hard on! MhmHm. #Worthit. But what if I don’t want to craft

you ask? Don’t worry I have a potion for that- toy donations, give to kids at church, write

notes, or buy cookies (my choice obviously).

With all this in mind, I have one request. There’s one line I want you to remember

if you don’t read the other stuff I wrote- less focus on the crazy news, more focus on the

crazy Nu. Nu possibilities, new methods, and most importantly- a Nu View on fashion

sustainability. One of openminded-ness and reusability.