Sunday, October 18, 2009

Beyond refashioning... a new clothing pledge

My six months of being on the Wardrobe Refashion pledge is drawing to a close. Time to do a summary post about what I've learned during this time, and also to have a think about where I'm going to from here.

Here are some of the great things that have come from being involved with WR:

1. I've tried my had at new creative/sewing skills: I've felted and refashioned jumpers; I've made lots of different aprons; I've made kids' pants that have actually been wearable, and I've made skirts from a tablecloth, a men's shirt and even from a pattern!


2. I've become a decent op-shopper: I've learned to look at items of clothing from a different perspective. Instead of just rifling through racks to try to find something in a style I like that also fits (a tough ask!), I scan entire sections for textures, colours and patterns that catch my eye. Some items have fit me or fit my friends, others have been refashioned or joined the 'stash'.

3. I've started to find a style that suits my own tastes and shape: A year ago, I lived permanently in jeans and baggy tops. Now I'm barely out of skirts and dresses, and I often throw in a scarf or brooch for a bit of flair. I'm clearer about what suits my figure. A great benefit of this is that I've become far more content with my body. This is in spite of the fact that I am significantly heavier than I have been before. Dressing the body as it is with respect and acceptance does wonders for the self-esteem!

4. I've thought a lot about where clothing comes from: I had no idea just what a big impact our cultural appetite for 'disposable fashion' was having on the environment. We buy cheap stuff, made in sweatshops, then toss it and let it go to landfill. I feel ashamed about my part in this to date.

So... now what?

I really want to carry on developing my skills, style and new attitude towards clothing. I was trying to figure out whether to take the WR pledge again on behalf of my whole family, when I came across a new-to-me blog Isismade, and THIS:

T H E E T H I C A L C L O T H I N G P L E D G E

I pledge to only wear clothing that is one or more of the following:

1. Pre-loved

2. Handmade (preferably by me)

3.Reconstructed

4. Made with ethical / environmentally friendly materials

5. Made by a company with strong ethical policy & workers' rights

Isis adds: "Companies with environmentally friendly practices (such as cutting down on waste/energy/water) get brownie points. If I get one little inkling of sweatshop labour, I'm outta there! Above all though, I think the most important thing is reducing the amount of things we use in the first place. Not purchasing ANOTHER piece of clothing just for the sake of it is the biggest statement we can make."

I heartily agree. So with permission from Isis, I'm joining her pledge. My aim is to clothe my family primarily from the first three sources, and the latter two where necessary. For specialty items (like shoes and underwear) I'll do my darnedest to find things that fit with the pledge but, failing that, we will buy things to LAST.

If you've been thinking about the same things and want to join in the pledge too, you're welcome to copy the button for your blog, from here or from Isismade.

20 comments:

  1. Your summary is gorgeous. You are so reflective of life and yourself. And so honest. It is refreshing and exciting and motivating.

    About the pledge... you find such good stuff and are so generous with sharing it. How awesome are Isis' beliefs and guidelines? The pledge is very do-able. I'm in too!

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  2. What a great pledge to make. It must be so much harder to try to keep it up for the entire family. I wouldn't know where to start just for me!
    I'm really enjoying following along with your fashioning / refashioning adventures.

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  3. That is so fabulous, Gina. I wish I was nearer to where you are in thought and in deed. I'm still trying to shed those consumerist/accumulation demons! I have good thoughts most the time and manage to stand strong on a lot of things, but oh how I lapse sometimes! It's a journey, I guess, and I'm so impressed with how you've gone about it and stuck to your guns. Good on you - very inspirational! K

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  4. I'm not taking any pledges bu t I have decided just this week to only buy from the oppy for the next three months. On of my reasons is so that I can find the style that suits my body. I always had my own style but then I wore size 8 and 10. Now that I am a 16/18 I have taken to covering everything up with unshaped blouses and that is not a good look on a short, derriered person. I figure that for the price of a cheap blouse I can get at least five or six, maybe more, items. If the new one doesn't suit in the home mirror I have lost say thirty dollars. If half the oppy ones are no good I have only lost twelve to fifteen dollars, Makes good money sense. Cherrie PS I might even have to do a post about this myself.

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  5. I have pledged to myself to make at least four skirts for this summer. I hate buying clothes and i have oodles of fabric just sitting around.. Beware I may end up looking like a clown!

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  6. I love your summary - it seems like you got so much more out of the Refashion pledge than you'd anticipated. My favourite thing that you've learned from this is that you're into skirts and dresses now! If only I could take a leaf out of your book for that one (being a bit of a long pants girl myself).

    Well all the best luck for the next pledge Gina!

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  7. Hi Gina. I can relate totally to your comments about refashioning making opp shopping so much easier. I used to struggle to find anything I liked AND fit me at opp shops. However - now i just look for fabric I like and then decide whether it can be easily refashioned. My problem now is that I have a huge pile of clothing waiting to be reconstructed and nothing to wear!

    I love that pledge. I have more or less lived that pledge over the past 6 months or so except one pair of leggings and one top - and I remember buying them clearly. So atleast i'm definately more conscious of my purchases these days.

    Off to find out if I can join in the pledge also....

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  8. Good on you Gina. You have done an amazing job so far and can only do better the more you learn and create. I'm glad I follow your blog. It means that inspiration isn't hard to find.

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  9. What table clothe to skirt ... did i miss it? GRRR MooBear is sooooooo an ethical clothing pledge.. I can't remember the last time i bought them anything new to be honest... Bubble has nothing new... I am joining you girl...woohoo. You know Over It my new indie label? Well carlos is going to do my web site so you have to help me get it out there okay?? Hehe

    xo Steph

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  10. Great summary. I totally agree with your #3. Dressing to flatter you body can sometime be hard but it can make you feel so much better.

    Congratulations on completing the 6 months!

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  11. Love it Gina - can't wait to see what you come up with! Looking forward to seeing you Friday at le quilt event!

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  12. awesome. you are doing what i wish i had the energy and willpower to do. i'm so glad i found your blog!

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  13. gee you are a wonderful lady miss Gina, I loved reading this post, good luck with your new pledge and I look forward to reading more as you go forth on your journey x

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  14. The pledge sounds great. I also try to make all the clothing we're wearing myself. I must admit: I should get on sewing a bit more, because it's one giant task, with those three little ones :}

    I look forward to see how it will go!

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  15. You continue to inpsire me. Great post.

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  16. That is such a great pledge! I also love the idea of dressing your body with respect - such a great way to live!

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  17. Thanks for linking to the Ethical Clothing Pledge. My new years resolution was to not buy any new clothes (apart from post-maternity jeans). Op shop or homemade were fine, but mostly it was about not owning more than I need. Ten and a half months in and apart from the jeans I've only bought a cardigan new (from Target, who signed up to the FairWear pledge), about five things from the op shop (including a jumper I refashioned) and made one dress.

    I have to admit my resolution has been much easier to follow as I haven't been in paid employment this year and I don't feel self-conscious about wearing the same things day after day!

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  18. Gina, you have been an inspiration, love seeing what you refashion.

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  19. Wow Gina I am so impressed. I'm thinking of doing the wardrobe refashion. It sounds like it has been a really positive experience for you.

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  20. I just saw this post over at Nikki's blog and I am so excited to be joining in too. Even better that I have stumbled upon a wonderful collection of bloggers who think exactly the same way as me... and are refashioning, up cycling and be inspired to make a HUGE difference. I know that I have done the right thing with MooBear and soon to launch Over It. Without the feedback from my refashioning friends I wouldn't have really thought of launching Over It. Gina You Rock at what you do Hun and I am so proud to have meet you!!

    xo Steph

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~Albert Einstein