• Advertise
  • Contact
  • Find a Retailer
  • eMagazine
Subscribe
IRISH COUNTRY MAGAZINE
  • Inside the issue
  • Irish Made
    • Irish Made Awards
  • Style
  • Food
  • Sustainability
  • Beauty
    • BIAB Nails
    • Hair
    • Health & Fitness
    • Makeup
    • Skincare
  • Interiors
  • The Invisible Struggle
  • Win
  • More
    • Culture
    • Family
    • Gardening
    • Health
    • Travel
No Result
View All Result
IRISH COUNTRY MAGAZINE
  • Inside the issue
  • Irish Made
    • Irish Made Awards
  • Style
  • Food
  • Sustainability
  • Beauty
    • BIAB Nails
    • Hair
    • Health & Fitness
    • Makeup
    • Skincare
  • Interiors
  • The Invisible Struggle
  • Win
  • More
    • Culture
    • Family
    • Gardening
    • Health
    • Travel
No Result
View All Result
Irish Country Magazine
No Result
View All Result

#LiveBetter: 5 ways to improve your wardrobe without buying new

Roisin Healy by Roisin Healy
September 16, 2019
A A

Save the planet and look good doing it by shopping and swapping your wardrobecam-morin-knKm7u_7Ihw-unsplash.jpg

According to Oxfam, 11 million items of clothing every week end up in landfills. With the environment at the forefront of public conversation, more people are becoming aware of the harmful aspects of fast fashion and the importance of caring for your clothes. The conversation on fashion is changing, and shoppers are seeking to be thoughtful in their consumption. The charity is prompting people to participate in #SecondhandSeptember and say no to new clothes for thirty days.

Keeping this in mind, we encourage you to get crafty with your clothing! As well as purchasing from ethical brands, you can help the planet by thinking creatively and taking care of your cherished pieces.

  1. Mend and repair: For most, their first instinct upon finding a hole in a piece of clothing is to throw it away. Instead, dust off your sewing kit and try and refresh those skills you learned in Home Economics by stitching up small signs of wear and tear.
  2. Think outside the box: When browsing second-hand, do not be deterred if a beautiful dress is a few sizes too big. Most clothes can be taken in to make them the perfect fit, and there is likely a tailor near you that can help. Excess material can be used to make something new, to reduce waste and get the most value for money – think a kitsch cushion or a quirky headband. Check out Rag Order Dublin on Instagram for some upcycling inspiration. Which leads us onto our next tip..
  3. Upskill! If you’re feeling like starting a new hobby, why not enroll in an evening upcycling course to help you make your own creations? Sew Easy offers a range of courses in Dublin, from beginner to advanced, as well as Sew Last Season in Galway. If you’re not located near a city, most Further Education colleges provide dressmaking courses nationwide.
  4. Sharing is caring: In this era of constant scrolling and instant purchasing, it feels as if we have forgotten the beauty of hand-me-downs. If you need a dress for a wedding, ask a friend to borrow one of theirs that you have always admired. Similarly, offer up your wardrobe when your friends are in need of new outfits; helping to save some cash and the planet.
  5. Swap and sell: If your friends wardrobes aren’t your cup of tea, attend a local swap shop. They are booming in popularity as shoppers can find fresh pieces while giving their pre-loved items to a new home. Sustainable Fashion Dublin organise swap shops in the capital, while Swap Shop Corcaigh ran a number of successful ones this summer. Their fashionista following ensures that you will find some new pieces you will love, and probably make a few new friends, too!

READ MORE

june event guide
Culture

June event guide: A full list of what’s happening around the country

May 31, 2023
lemon cheese
Featured

Recipe: Lemon cheese cream with granita, shortbread and mango ginger gel

May 31, 2023
bloom
Culture

Bloom 2023: Tickets, transport and highlights you won’t want to miss

May 31, 2023
Irish-made textiles for something special in your home and wardrobe
Fashion

Irish-made textiles for something special in your home and wardrobe

May 30, 2023
garden centres
Featured

Five gorgeous garden centres to visit this summer

May 25, 2023
liquids
Beauty

How to pack travel liquids like a pro

May 25, 2023
Load More
ADVERTISEMENT
IRISH COUNTRY MAGAZINE

© 2022 Irish Country Magazine

IRISH COUNTRY MAGAZINE

  • Terms of service
  • Privacy statement
  • Advertise
  • eMagazine
  • Download gift card
  • Contact
  • Cookie Settings
  • Find a Retailer

Follow Us

  • Inside the issue
  • Irish Made
    • Irish Made Awards
  • Style
  • Food
  • Sustainability
  • Beauty
    • BIAB Nails
    • Hair
    • Health & Fitness
    • Makeup
    • Skincare
  • Interiors
  • The Invisible Struggle
  • Win
  • More
    • Culture
    • Family
    • Gardening
    • Health
    • Travel
Subscribe
No Result
View All Result

© 2022 Irish Country Magazine