what is reworked clothing?

The level of understanding surrounding the sustainability of consumerism or daily habits has been on the rise in the United States for the last decade. As conversations about climate change (or a decade ago, global warming) increase, naturally we seek ways we can positively contribute to the solution and begin taking steps in the right direction.

Just as we have seen with conversations surrounding climate, we also see conversations on human rights on the rise. Fast fashion and companies like SHEIN make fast fashion easily accessible, delivered to your front door, and is often the most affordable option. In a society that promotes consumerism, we don’t buy for quality and to last. We know the quality of our clothes are poor no matter where we buy, with the shelf life of the average shirt landing around ten total lifetime wears. This pushed price-conscious consumers to seek fast fashion as an option. It is much easier to justify buying into micro-trends when the price point is low, and spending full-price at a more reputable retailer won’t result in improved quality or longevity. Despite the obvious points in fast fashion’s favor in the eyes of the average consumer, we care about the working conditions of those carefully crafting each piece. We worry about the increase in crochet fashion pieces, knowing that crochet cannot be replicated via machine. Yes, that’s correct; each crochet piece you see floating around was handmade by someone. A crochet top might take five hours to make. The cost of the yarn to make it in the US is $20. Yet somehow, the cost of the top is $10, including labor costs. We know these products are not ethical, and consumers want to feel good about their purchases. What is the solution?

Reworked clothing or upcycled clothing are two terms with different meanings. They are often used interchangeably.

Google defines Reworked clothing as “clothing that has been transformed into a new piece using vintage or secondhand materials. The process of reworking clothing involves altering the fit, adding new details, or deconstructing and reconstructing the garment.” This would include items such as vintage cloth, fabrics, table cloths, and more.

Google defines Upcycled clothing as “clothing that has been transformed into a new item from old, damaged, or worn out clothing. It's also known as repurposed, reused, or recycled clothing.” This would be made solely from clothing.

The creation and selling of reworked and upcycled clothing is an obvious answer for a rapidly growing market in 2025. With 17 million tons of textiles going into the landfill each year, the reuse and repurposing can keep fabric out of the landfill while breathing new life into it. With fast fashion’s fixation on participating in micro-trends, this type of repurposing can help extend the life of items that only receive a few wears before going out of style. In the same vein, old blankets, sleeping bags with 90’s characters, and vintage comforters with lovely florals can make incredible hoodies, sweaters, sweatpants or jackets. These may have lived their full life as a blanket, but with careful cutting, sewing, and repurposing, they can be used for decades to come.

With handmade, carefully curated items, you also see an improved overall quality. These items can be expected to last longer than the typical items you would purchase in stores or online, and vintage material is often thicker and better quality than what we see today. This means that consumers can buy in at a slightly higher price point while finally regaining the quality that has been lost in factory production corner-cutting processes over the years.

Buy a reworked item and see if you notice the difference. See for yourself - you will likely choose to never go back!