Welcome to Conscious Consumer, a series in which we’ll explore how the money we spend on fashion and beauty affects our world and ourselves.
T-shirts are a staple in everyone’s wardrobe.
They’re comfortable, they can be casual or chic, and they never go out of style. As it turns out, T-shirts can also be made into some pretty cool accessories that you’ll actually want to wear.
If you have an excess of old tees lying around at home, why not transform them into something new? In 2014 alone, Americans generated 16 million tons of textile waste, according the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. By reusing your T-shirts, you’ll prevent them from being thrown in landfills and you’ll be adding a new accessory to your collection without necessarily having to spend a penny. It’s a win-win situation.
To help you get inspired, check out these six simple ways you can turn your old T-shirts into accessories:
Make A Cute Headband
The only thing you need for this DIY is a T-shirt and, if you're feeling extra creative, some fabric paint to add a little decoration. Check out the full tutorial at See Kate Sew.
Make A Multi-Strand Statement Necklace
For this necklace, you'll need to get some small jewelry-making supplies, which you can find in the jewelry aisle of most craft stores. Check out the step-by-step guide over at Brit & Co.
Make A Workout Headband
As anyone with bangs or fly-aways knows, they can get pretty annoying at the gym. This headband is a great solution. Get the full tutorial over at Rabbit Food For My Bunny Teeth.
Make A Single Strand Necklace
Like the bolder statement necklace, this one uses a dainty chain to add a little more interest to plain T-shirt fabric. The addition of copper tubing makes it feel modern. You can find the tutorial at Brit + Co.
Make A Braided Hair Tie
This cute hair tie can also double as a bracelet, so you'll never have to ask your friends for an elastic again. Get the tutorial at LoveMaegan.com.
Make A Two-Tone Braided Scarf
This braided scarf can add a pop of color to any cool-weather outfit. You can find out how to make it at AllDayChic.
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Tarte Beauty
Tarte's "eco-chic" makeup is cruelty-free and made with naturally derived ingredients. The brand, founded by Maureen Kelly, also aims to make sustainability a focus of its business model. According to Tarte's website, the company ensures its ingredients are sustainably harvested and supports the communities where its ingredients are sourced.
Maya Chia was founded by Susanne Norwitz with the goal of creating high-quality skin care that gives back. The products are made in the U.S. using natural, organic ingredients from conscious growers all over the world. Beyond that, Maya Chia donates a portion of its net profits to charities that help build schools and farms for the Maya people of Central and South America.
Kjaer Weis, founded by Danish-born makeup artist Kirsten Kjaer Weis, considers sustainability a huge pillar of its brand philosophy. Thanks to the brand's refill system, you don't need to waste money on packaging you'd otherwise throw out. Kjaer Weis also uses ingredients that are Certified Natural or Certified Organic.
True Botanicals' entire line of products is Made Safe certified, which means there are no ingredients known or suspected to harm humans. The brand, founded by Hillary Peterson, is on a mission to create skincare products that work but don't harm our health or the environment. True Botanicals products are also cruelty-free and non-GMO.
Plain Jane Beauty offers a huge selection of natural and organic cosmetics, including a foundation available in 17 different shades. Talk about inclusivity. Aside from that, the brand prides itself on its sustainable practices. For instance, PJB says it uses fair-trade coffee, cocoa butter and shea butter as well as certified organic ingredients when possible. The company also reuses its shipping materials, prints on recycled paper and uses vegetable-based inks.
Prestidge Beaute is the brainchild of makeup artist Shawnelle Prestidge, who uses organic ingredients sourced from conscious growers all over the world and makes products in small batches at her home in Brooklyn, New York.
Cosmos products are created with 100 percent plant-based ingredients, which the company says are completely safe for your body and the planet. The brand also uses reusable, compostable and recyclable containers to cut down on waste, and it doesn't test its products on animals.
Tata Harper's products are handmade in Vermont but contain ingredients sourced from all over the globe; they're natural and nontoxic. Additionally, the majority of the brand's packaging is made of reusable glass, and its plastic is derived from corn instead of petroleum. In terms of packaging, Tata Harper also says it uses 100 percent post-consumer materials and soy-based ink.
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