There’s not much getting away from fast fashion these days. Even if you’re conscientious about your fashion spending and try to buy versatile pieces that will last a while, there’s always the option to pick up cheap clothing easily both online and on the high street, if a current trend takes your fancy. If you’re trying to be more environmentally friendly, you probably know that fast fashion is one of the biggest environmental issues in the world today. Thankfully, even if you do buy fashion regularly, you can do your bit by making eco-friendly choices when it comes to what to do with any old clothes that you don’t wear anymore. Instead of throwing them out, here are some creative ideas to consider.

Donate:

First of all, it’s worth donating any clothing that you don’t wear anymore but is still in decent shape with plenty of life left in it. Whether it’s something you’ve grown out of, bought and never got a chance to wear or you’ve simply gone off the style, donating clothes means that somebody else can enjoy them. You can easily do this by taking them to a thrift store, dropping them at a clothing recycling point or using a clothing donation pick up service.

Make New Clothes:

If you’re into working with textiles and have some basic sewing skills, you can easily turn your old clothes into new ones. This doesn’t actually require that much skill, either - for example, a pair of fabric scissors and a simple hemstitch is all you need to turn an old pair of jeans into summer shorts or turn an oversized t-shirt into a crop top. There are so many ideas out there for changing up your old clothes and turning them into something new; why not have a look and find an idea that you like.

Around The Home:

You can even use your old clothes to make new items around your home. Fabric from items like t-shirts and sweaters can be used to make cushion cases or you could even cut them up into equal squares and make a unique patchwork blanket. Or, you could put your old clothes to practical use and turn them into cleaning cloths and rags. This is even more eco-friendly, as it means you can wave goodbye to disposable wipes and kitchen paper.

Make artwork:

If you’re on the lookout for something new and fresh to hang on the walls of your home, then your wardrobe might have the answer. If you’ve got a bunch of t-shirts with motifs or designs that you barely wear anymore or a sentimental piece like a band t-shirt or old college hoodie, then why not cut out the design and frame it instead? All you need to do is buy a frame that you like and use the glass insert to cut a matching piece of your t-shirt. Easy!

Before you throw your old clothes away, think about any other creative uses you might have for them. You might be surprised at just how much you can do!