Everyone is familiar with the term “Out with the old and in with the new”, luckily with the state of the economy the new is often the old.
Money is tight right now for just about everyone, and instead of splurging on things that generally come right back around like a revolving door, it might be time to turn those discarded duds to cutting edge threads.

Just think about all the old trends that have made their comeback. Plenty of our style icons used fashion to captivate their fans, sparking worldwide fashion epidemics. Prince used tight leather chaps, mesh see-thru t-shirts, spandex and oodles of sex appeal in the 1980s, while Cyndi Lauper paired a tutu with neon tights , stilettos, and a shredded t-shirt. But it is Madonna took the cake with her intense red lip, overpowering accessories and the infamous fingerless gloves. Does this sound a lot like what’s haute right now?

My Mom always told me it takes about 20 years for trends to come back in style, and that is why she never… ever throws away anything. I Win! (it’s a reccession, a sistah needs to be frugal)

Why do these trends come back in such a hurry? Charkita Glover owns Chargrels Couture, a one of a kind line of line wearable art made from recycled clothing . She says, “Sometimes a particular style is repeated, but it will be switched up a little to make it more modern,” said Glover. “Some styles do run their course, but there are many that are timeless.”

With more and more shoppers attempting to be chic on a budget the eco-craze has now become the thing for the trendy. You have to know when it is time to toss, and when it is time to save. She suggest doing things like shortening jacket sleeves, changing buttons and always hanging on to old t-shirts. The major advantage of eco-fashion (outside of cost) is its smaller impact on the environment. According the website newscientist.com it takes about 25 bath tubs full of water to make one t-shirt. That’s nearly a month’s worth of soaking! When it comes down to it, recycling fashion can contribute to a revolution that pulls upon fabrics and raw materials that have literally already been thrown away.

You don’t have to go to the mall to light a fire into your wardrobe, There are other ways you can pinch your pennies and innovate.
Here are a few Eco friendly or Green fixes that can maximize your style, lay off your pockets and conserve our environment.
• Have a swap party. Invite friends, coworkers, and folks from the neighborhood for a night of coffee, libations, and snacks. Set up tables or an area where guests can lay out their swaps and a dressing room with full length. When everyone is done shopping and trying things on they’ll feel like they’ve just been to the mall on a shopping spree!
• Go online. Try swapstyle.com. Browse through others closets all over the world and post your own items. You can swap, buy, or sell at this Web site free of charge!
• Consider consignment shops. There are many great ones popping up all over the North Shore. Bring gently worn items that you know you won’t wear and see what the stores have to offer at prices far below department stores.
• Share unwanted clothes with friends. Often that piece you purchased last year and never wore really looks better on your friend Lauren, and she would be thrilled to have it. Probably she has something she’s not worn that would look better on you too!
• Check in with the family. Styles always come back and you never know what they might have kept around in one of their many closets
• Try sewing. Classes, some with machines, are available at fabric stores, community centers, and more.

To purchase some of Charkita’s designs head over to www.Chargrels.com