Eclectic Fashion and Upcycling
Using the process of upcycling to create eclectic styles
The term eclectic stands for varied. An eclectic outfit is a combination of various pieces that ordinarily stand separately. This also means there are no stated rules or guidelines to be followed. You can literally wear whatever you want the way you want it. The eclectic look requires confidence and little to no fear of standing out. Eclectic fashion normally mixes modern and vintage. It’s concentrated on mixing patterns, prints, and textures.
The pieces are carefully chosen and thoughtfully organized or presented. This style makes intentional fashion mistakes. However, the eclectic style is not easy to aim for. Depending on the person’s interests in colors or styles the look can vary. Therefore, collections can be a hit or miss depending on the viewers, which demands bravery and confidence.
Upcycling is the process of creating something new from discarded materials by repairing, refurbishing, or repurposing them. Upcycling began as a movement emerging from a growing concern about collective waste. It has become an outlet of creativity for many designers focused on keeping things out of landfills. Many techniques are used to upcycle, and many products can be upcycled.
In the Fashion industry, upcycling clothes is the process of taking something that has lost its value, and turning it into something new that aligns with what is currently trending. According to David Marshall (2021), “the World Wildlife Fund estimates that it takes 20,000 liters of fresh water to make one kilogram of cotton; enough for a pair of jeans and a t-shirt! And with farming accounting for 70% of all freshwater use, we can expect to see dramatic changes to the industry in the next 10-20 years.”
According to Martina Igini (2023), 92 million tonnes of textile waste is produced every year. In America alone, an estimated 11.3 million tons of textile waste – equivalent to 85% of all textiles – are sent to landfills on a yearly basis. That’s equivalent to approximately 81.5 pounds (37 kilograms) per person per year and around 2,150 pieces per second countrywide. Igi also learns the number of times a garment is worn has declined by around 36% in 15 years.
Using the process of upcycling to create eclectic styles can help embellish vintage with new. To aim for eclectic looks while combining the upcycling process, I recommend a combination of local thrift shops and companies like Indetexx Clothing; a leading supplier of wholesale unsorted used clothing to over 60 countries. Sewing processes like patchwork, embroidering, and sewing different pieces together, are great ways to repurpose fabric scraps and create a vibrant and eclectic look.
References
EPA. (2022, December 12). Facts and Figures about Materials, Waste, and Recycling: Textiles: Material-Specific Data. United States Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/textiles-material-specific-data
Falade, T. (2023, February 24). Eclectic Fashion? Here's A Complete Guide To Its Styling. Prazzle Magazine. https://www.prazzlemagazine.com/post/eclectic-fashion-here-s-a-complete-guide-to-its-styling#:~:text=The%20word%20eclectic%20means%20varied,the%20way%20you%20want%20it.
Fernandez, S. (2023). What is Upcycling? Yokatci Upcycle Design. https://www.yokatci.com
Igini, M. (2023, August 21). 10 Concerning Fast Fashion Waste Statistics. Earth. https://earth.org/statistics-about-fast-fashion-waste/#
IEX. (2022). Unsorted Used Clothing. Indexx Clothing. https://www.indetexx.com/unsorted-used-clothing-wholesale/
Marshall, D. (2021, June 5). Why Upcycling Clothes is The Next Big Thing in Sustainable Fashion. Immago. https://immago.com/upcycling-clothes/
