Shopping for Upcycled Clothing
There are a ton of makers getting into sewing upcycled clothing for sale. You would be surprised if you have not ever shopped for remakes just how much there is to choose from! Because I normally just upcycle my own clothing, I had not ever purchased upcycled threads from someone else. So I explored Etsy to see what other creatives were up to.
Plus Size Dress from RepurposeCouture on Etsy
Goblincore Top by JenileeDesignStudio on Etsy
Art Dress by KoolHandDesigns
Here are three pieces I had to see in person! One thing to note is that Etsy does not have endless makers who do work for larger sizes, but there are really cool designs if you just look. If you wear standard sizes…there is tons to choose from! I love all three pieces for their creative edge, and you can see by looking at them that all are unique.
The Goblincore shirt is from a shop who creates handmade patches and sews them onto thrift store tops. She also turns shirts into crop tops! The other two pieces are completely made from scratch, and I love how original each one is. I didn’t realize the blue patchy dress had to be dry cleaned when I bought it. If you want to shop upcycled, be sure you understand how a piece will need to be cleaned first before you buy. That is also something to consider when you upcycle your own clothing!
As a consumer, you can make a huge impact by how you choose to spend your money. Buying thrifted and upcycled clothing really does make a difference! I feel like I have to mention…Covid can live on fabrics for two days, so if you do buy second hand or upcycled you might want to let the package sit for a week before opening. Just because there is a Pandemic going on does not mean you have to stop buying thrifted goods, you just want to be knowledgable and stay informed on best practices for handling used goods.
If you are a seamstress, look on Etsy and EBay and see what other people are making! It will give you tons of ideas for your own projects. If you are a consumer of thrifted clothes, why not try some upcycled pieces too? You will have a unique look all your own and truly make a difference for the environment and small biz too!
