Clothing is a way that many people express themselves, and through upcycling, clothing is more personalized than ever.

Upcycling is the process of taking old clothes and making them completely new and unique. Whether it be as simple as embroidering a flower on a T-shirt, or as complicated as completely changing the cut of a dress, upcycling is a good way of recycling clothes that just aren’t as loved as they used to be. 

A good way to start upcycling is to clean out that closet. Cleaning out a space is an opportunity to find clothes that could be upcycled. If something can’t be upcycled, it is always good to donate unwanted items to a local thrift store, because other people can benefit from old items.

Thrifting is also a good way to find items to upcycle. Thrift stores offer many different types of clothes that could be altered in many ways. 

Upcycling and thrifting are becoming much more popular ways to get “new” clothes. 

Many Internet personalities push thrifting and upcycling over buying retail. YouTubers such as Ashley (aka Best Dressed) and Melissa Tatti (aka Threads Obsessed) are well known influencers who push upcycling and thrifting.

Not only is upcycling a unique way to change clothes, it is also beneficial to the environment.

In the United States alone, around 15 million tons of textiles are thrown away each year. New clothing can produce large amounts of pollution, and can take hundreds of gallons of water to produce. With upcycling, clothes are recycled and not thrown away, so these numbers are reduced. 

Many people are trying to reduce their global impact due to the climate crisis, and upcycling is a good way to reduce textile waste. 

Upcycling can really cut costs and help the environment — and it’s simple and easy.