Shirts to Skirt | Restyle Revolution

With record numbers of CO2 levels currently making headline news, I thought it was it time to take matters into my own hands and do my part for the environment. As 2018 approaches we need to start making a difference in our lifestyles as the damage is too quickly becoming irreversible. After doing some research into the fashion industry, I was horrified to discover that in the UK, the average individual will produce 70 Kg of textiles waste in just one year![1] This makes it the 4th largest factor for creating environmental impact below housing, transport and food waste[2] Within our culture, disposal fashion has become very on trend. Cheap, quick fashion fixes that will last us until the next season, instead of items that will last us through many years and can be worn again and again. I have to admit, I am most definitely a perpetrator of this myself, but at least I'm aware and trying to make a change! It isn't easy with trends in fashion coming and going faster than ever before.

This is why I have decided to start a new segment of my blog where I take clothing items that I have either pulled out from the deep depths of my wardrobe or purchased from charity shops and transform it into something that suits my personal taste and saves the planet at the same time! A restyle revolution if you will!

We are going to begin with a project I started in the summer and I have only just got round to finishing! I found these two velvet shirts in a local charity shop and instantly I was inspired to change it into something new. I knew I would never wear either fo the shirts separately as they were difficult to style with other items I already owned, plus the green shirt had a rip going across the front that someone had tried to previously repair, which only made it easier to cut up this beautiful fabric.

To create the skirt, I used the same pattern I used to create my Cher Horowitz costume; an A-line skirt pattern from the Prima April 2017 edition. This particular pattern is fairly simple to follow and I would recommend it for most ability sewers. However, I wouldn't necessarily suggest using velvet shirts for all abilities, unless you're up for a challenge, as it was quite difficult ensuring that nap was facing the same direction when cutting out every piece and the cut velvet piles stuck to everything! Mess for days!

This skirt has a very 1970s feel to it due to the colour scheme of the emerald green and midnight blue that compliment each other well and embrace the earthy and muted tones of this era. The patchwork detailing also adds to the 70's vibe as this was a time not long after the "Make Do And Mend" wave, alongside the mini skirt style that follows through from the 1960s. Here I have chosen to style it with a long-sleeved black t-shirt from Primark to enhance the pop of colours from the skirt.

[1] https://www.ecooutfitters.co.uk/blog/fast-fashion-the-destruction-of-developing-countries/

[2] http://www.wrap.org.uk/sustainable-textiles/valuing-our-clothes