Freecycling for Fashion

Yesterday I pointed out to my step-mom the fact that the outfit I was wearing was free. 

"How did you manage that?" she asked.

I was wearing a nice pair of jeans from Randy River and a cotton, long-sleeved top from Roots.  Except I hadn't visited either of those stores or spent a dime to acquire these pieces.

"Freecycle," was my simple reply. 

Over the weekend someone offered up a bag of women's clothing.  I jumped on it, and had soon picked up a large garbage bag filled with (mostly) gently used clothing.  I went through the bag in my laundry room, putting the items I planned to keep in my washing machine, and folding the rest up and returning the pile to the bag.  I was happy to find several nice sweaters, a couple of t-shirts and a pair of jeans that fit me.

When I was finished, I re-offered the rest of the clothes, and they were scooped up quickly by a local dad who said his daughter has been growing like a week.  He picked them up the next day.

When I told my step-mom about how this worked, she said, "Plus, you're keeping that stuff out of the landfill!"

Freecycle is a fantastic way to acquire new items, including clothing.  It's totally worth checking out your local Freecycle organization by visiting their website.  You never know what goodies you'll find.  My new t-shirt featuring a picture of Popeye and sporting the phrase, "Who Wants Some?" is living proof!

March's focus here at BlogHers ACT Canada is "Eco-Fashion."  While I certainly don't aspire to high fashion (see note above re: Popeye t-shirt), I do have a sense of personal style that gels well with recycling used clothing and shopping in thrift stores like the Salvation Army or Goodwill.  Jump into this topic in your own blogs this month.  Be sure to comment here with a link to your post telling us how you make fashion an eco-issue in your house!

Comments

[Heidi]

My group of friends hosts a quarterly Clothes Swap fondly known as the Switch and Bitch. Everyone brings their unwanted clothing and other items, hopefully brings a few friends and their bags of stuff, we dump it all in the middle of the room and go nuts. Afterward, we bag up what's left and sort it to go to local women's shelters or Goodwill.

[Alana]

I have a baby on the way. I've been researching organic cotton and online etailers that specialize in organic clothing for children. I've written two posts (below) summarizing my findings.

I've also scored some gently used pieces from eBay and discovered a great website http://www.theconsciouschild.com/ where you can swap/sell organic, natural children's products.

It's been an educating experience. I know as more people become aware of these types of products, demand will get higher and hopefully prices will start dropping.

http://graymattersmd.blogspot.com/2008/02/three-r-thursday-organic-childrens.html
http://graymattersmd.blogspot.com/2008/02/three-r-thursday-organic-childrens_23.html

[Nicole]

Ok, I blogged it here: http://rti.serveblog.net/wordpress/index.php/2008/03/25/greening-your-fashion/

Better late than never - its only March 25 :)