Earth Month: Reuse and Restyle Challenge With Value Village

Thank you Value Village for graciously coordinating a shopping excursion to my local Value Village for an Earth Month Style Challenge! Affiliate links are occasionally used throughout this site, which means I might make a small commission if you click on a link & make a purchase. Thank you for supporting Story of My Dress! 

Thrifted Vintage Liz Claiborne California Dreaming Blouse c/o Value Village (similar) | Thrifted Vintage Plastic Retro Basket c/o Value Village (similar) | Thrifted Callisto of California Shoes c/o Value Village (similar)  | Jag Jeans c/o MyFitCode (sold out, similar) | Moorea Seal Straw Cross-body Bag (similar) | Marc Jacobs Sunglasses (sold out, similar)| BKR Glass Water Bottle

Happy Earth Month! April 2018 is the 48th Anniversary of Earth Month and this Sunday, April 22, is Earth Day! The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970 and is now celebrated in more than 193 countries annually. In 2018, it's more important than ever to demonstrate support for environment protection, responsibility and stewardship of our planet, and work together towards a sustainable future. 

For Earth Month this year, I've partnered with Value Village on a style challenge to style an outfit with thrifted pieces of clothing alongside re-styled pieces from my closet to bring attention to the life-cycle of clothing. Shopping secondhand and consciously curating your wardrobe has a positive impact on the environment and planet and is a super easy way to go green year-round.

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Photography: Karya Schanilec Photography

According to Value Village's State of Reuse Report, the world now consumes more than 80 billion pieces of new clothing every year, with more and more ending up in landfills (often times pieces only worn once or twice thanks to fast fashion). The average American throws away 81 pounds of clothing each year, 95% of which can be re-worn, reused or recycled (or re-styled!)

For my Earth Month Reuse and Re-style Challenge, I ventured out on a shopping trip to my local Value Village for a thrifting adventure. I scored a vintage Liz Claiborne California dreaming blouse, vintage plastic retro basket and Callisto of California Shoes. My inspiration for my soon-to-be reused and re-styled outfit came from the beaches of the California coast, the streets of L.A. and poolside in Palm Springs . . . California dreaming!

At home I gathered a few more items that already existed in my closet to re-style with my newly found thrifted treasures. First up was a pair of already distressed jeans that I took scissors to for a little DIY action to make a raw hem (also styled here). My current favorite basket bag was the next obvious choice (also styled here), followed by a pair of Marc Jacob Sunglasses I keep on constant rotation (also styled here, here, and here). Right before heading out the door, I grabbed my reusable glass water bottle to stay hydrated and avoid buying one-time use plastic water bottles.

The thrifted and re-styled outfit proved perfect for a day in the West Seattle neighborhood of Seattle for some California dreaming at the California Junction. A coffee and croissant at Bakery Nouveau, record browsing at Easy Street Records, sustainable sushi at Mashiko and boutique shopping on California Avenue made for the perfect California dreaming in Seattle day!

What tips do you have for re-styling, re-using, re-wearing and thrifting clothes secondhand? What are your suggestions for a more sustainable closet? How are your celebrating Earth Month and Earth Day this year? Please leave your suggestions in the comments!

Happy Earth Month and Earth Day!

xoxo