It Must Have Been Fete: How To Create Wearable Outfits with Reloved Clothing Pieces

Buing reloved clothing is a sustainable way to revive your wardrobe as it keeps fashion in the loop, rather than seeing unwanted items going to landfill. Here is some inspiration showing exactly how to integrate your new-found treasures into wearable outfits once you get home. After all, is there any point buying a piece of clothing if you aren't excited to wear it?

Posted by Shea on June 15, 2014

Buying reloved clothing is a sustainable lifestyle choice and a positive way to revive your wardrobe as it keeps fashion in the loop, rather than seeing unwanted items going to landfill. Here is some inspiration showing exactly how to integrate your new-found treasures into wearable outfits once you get home. After all, is there any point buying a piece of clothing if you aren’t excited to wear it?

How often do you get to carry home bags, full to the brim of clothes, with the total cost coming in at under $100!

At that price they can’t be anything much to talk about right?

Wrong!

That, my friend, is exactly the basis of this story. A movie-star-style shopping spree courtesy of the preloved clothing stall at the school fete. Ultimately making a conscious choice to support our local community which also has a positive effect on our environment.

Good quality designer labels in lovely natural fabrics of cotton and silk. All in perfect condition and ready to be re-loved!

OK granted one needs the extra patience to rummage through piles of reloved clothing but what it comes down to is the thrill of the discovery. Finding that one-off piece, which you are not likely to then see walking down the street looking better on someone else and well within budget.

That buzz of success is reignited once again when you arrive home and try on the whole haul once again. Time to start pondering how to turn each of these items into an outfit.

The very best way I know how to achieve this is by either:

Trying on different combinations – guaranteed to be the most fun if you invite over a trusted friend.
Laying out your clothes flat, either on the bed or the (clean) floor, to see which combination looks best.

Both ways are effective, just make sure you add accessories to your new outfits to get the full effect.

After all, is there any point buying a piece of clothing if you aren’t excited to wear it?

Here is some inspiration to get you started.

Creating Wearable Outfits with Reloved Clothing

1. The Bold and the Beautiful

This shirt was instantly reloved (my personal favourite) and became the basis of a perfect casual Autumn outfit. It is beautiful and it only took a few minutes of sifting through my wardrobe to uncover the rest of the items needed to pull this finished look together. This bold hat was bought at the Fremantle markets in Perth, so thrilled at how well it completes this look.

2. Spot of Fun

This 100% silk spotted dress is the reloved clothing item in this outfit and looked fun when it was mixed with both the contrasting colour and texture of faux fur. Would love to wear it with some black ankle boots, but for now a decision will have to be made with what is available – pointed stilettos or open-toed wedges?

3. Shabby Chic

The shirt is the new reloved clothing piece which initiated this outfit. The smooth texture of 100% silk is perfectly complemented by the authentic vintage faux fur jacket. This jacket was a Mothers Day gift from my husband a couple of years ago and is my prized possession – not to be worn if there is any chance of red wine being consumed! The shabby jeans complement the chic touch of stilettos and sparkle of the handbag which was a random find at a local ‘op’ shop.

So what do you think – do these reloved clothing outfits work?
Which is your favourite: The Bold and the Beautiful, a Spot of Fun or Shabby Chic?

Whether you have success wandering around a local market or discover an independent boutique or quirky designer, the most interesting purchases are more often than not the ones which come with a story.

Although we are all guilty of owning items which are manufactured in less than ideal circumstances, I’m sure you can all agree that the mass-produced clothes in your wardrobe don’t tend to hold the same personal value as slow fashion pieces or that little reloved clothing number you found when you least expected.

Pin For Later

There are so many ‘re’ words which can easily be incorporated into everyday life: this small collection ‘resonates’ with me: reuse, recycle, reduce, repurpose, refuse, repair, reconnect, real, rediscover, reconsider, recreate and RELOVED, the newest term discovered.

Which word could you put into action to prevent any more unnecessary waste ending up in landfill?

Love to have you join our conversation –

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