The choices we make when we dress each day influence the kind of world we live in. The greenest clothes are those that already exist in the world, mountains of which are readily accessible from your own wardrobes, through op-shops, friends cast-offs or clothing swaps and can then be refashioned.

Having a few sewing skills is empowering. It gives you choice, because you are not restricted to what is newly available for purchase at any particular time. You can choose fabrics you like in colours and styles that flatter your style. And you can be uniquely original – and never run into someone wearing your style. And best of all, by reusing natural fibre clothing you can help save it from prematurely ending up in landfill. 

It was great to chat upcycling with Fairholme College fashion and textile students recently and their teacher Mrs Clare Greenhill set them a classroom challenge to work in teams to refashion some unworn garments I’d brought to the class. Maree’s team worked on a pretty soft cotton turquoise and silver ribbon skirt. They considered a range of options for turning the skirt into a dress, including adding straps or wearing it as a one-shouldered style. Ultimately they decided to refashion the skirt into a dress by strategically sewing some silver ribbon (from the classroom to the sideseams to cinch it at the waist with a bow. Well done girls, looking good Maree.