How to… Update Your Wardrobe the Eco-Friendly Way

With the outside world slowly opening up, many of us are turning our attention from the trusty sweatpants we spend most of the week in back to our neglected wardrobes. (Jeans, remember those?)

Mix that with the fast-approaching summer, and you’ve got a recipe for a fashion overhaul. Those shirts you were obsessed with 18 months ago? Not so on-trend now. You want to emerge from lockdown like a butterfly from a chrysalis, with a similarly eye-catching outfit to match.

However, with Earth Day coming up on April 22nd, we’ve been brainstorming ways to do this without putting a strain on Mother Nature. Here’s what we came up with…

1. Thrift for Treasure

No, thrifting isn’t quite as simple as browsing your favorite store for the latest trends and adding your exact size straight to your cart. But, it sure is more rewarding, helps you find unique items, and is usually a lot cheaper too. Not to mention it doesn’t require any new garments to be added into circulation!

Our top tips for thrifting are…

• Use eBay, Depop, or any vintage store sites to search for your size. That way, you know your purchases will fit when they arrive, and you’re prevented from finding a gem you love only to find it’s 3 sizes too small.

• Take your time when searching the rails. Keep your eye out for patterns, colors, and textures you love. If it’s the wrong size, could it be altered?

• Always wash your buys before wearing! (Check the label first, because many vintage clothes need to be hand-washed)

2. Style Swap

Been crying to your girlfriends that you have nothing to wear when socializing starts up again? Us too, hon. But have you ever noticed that your best friend who claims to hate her clothes, has the best style ever…?

Use that to your advantage and suggest a style swap. If it’s safe to do so in your area, meet up and exchange a few items of clothing you don’t want any more. If you can’t do that, have a FaceTime wardrobe clearout and send each other pieces you want rid of - just pay for postage!

This is an easy, cheap and cheerful way to have a spring clean AND inherit some of your most fashionable friend’s unwanted pieces. It’s a win-win.

3. Alter, Crochet, Tie-Dye...

Your mom was right when she said you have perfectly good clothes already. But if you’re bored of what you own, it’s time to grab the scissors and start customizing!

Maybe a formal gown can be made into a sundress, an old denim jacket or blue jeans could use some studs and patches, or a plain sweatshirt could get a trendy tie-dye update.

If you’re in the market for a new hobby, how about learning to embroider or crochet? Hand-stitched items will have everyone asking where you got them, and you can proudly say you did it yourself. You could also turn it into a side hustle - customized, crocheted and knitted pieces can be sold for a profit on Depop.

4. Mix and Match

Not handy with a sewing machine? How about… looking at new outfits to put together using your existing clothes? (Revolutionary, we know)

Take everything out of your wardrobe and look for color matches, clashing (but complementary) patterns, or just things that could look cute together, and start your fashion show!

Need some inspo? Check out our Tiktok videos - we’ve got plenty to help you match your threads to your favorite accessory… your Casely case, of course!

@get.casely

Which outfit is your favorite? 🤩 @brenleyherrera has the cutest style! #LiveBold #Casely #phonecase #case #fyp #fashion #ootd

♬ Backyard Boy - Claire Rosinkranz

Psst - before you go - we want you to know that Casely’s mailers are made from recycled materials. Make sure you recycle them again when you’re done with them!