How to not buy new clothes for 90 days

Highlights from June's Circular Salon

Last night Reclypt teamed up with Remake to launch their annual #NoNewClothes 90-Day Challenge!

And of course, we explored how to achieve this challenge through a circular lens.

Skip to the bottom for the full list of resources and how to sign up for the Challenge.

Reminder: At Reclypt we believe the circular economy is working together as a community to keep everything we use in circulation.

aka, don’t throw that away!

Let’s set the scene:

We met at a cozy co-creating space in Astoria that, lucky for us, has an a beautiful outdoor patio, Our House, or as they so brilliantly call it, “Astoria’s Living Room” - LOVE!

But, we’re not just outside, we’re outside in the warmth and glow of an *early summer* evening and stayed out until the sun set. If you know, you know.

As people arrived, they sipped on home-made iced mint tea, lemonade, or a delicious combo of both and snacked on my favorite recipe: orange olive oil cake. The latter of which I am proud to share I dusted with powdered sugar reveling both the Reclypt and Remake logo.

While we’re enjoying our treats, we shared excitement that Reclypt FINALLY made it out to Queens, made connections (two attendees met previously at the gym), and discovered that among us were Remake Ambassadors from all over the globe!

First things first: What is the Circular Economy?

After going around for brief introductions, the group split into smaller discussions about “what the circular economy is to them.” These 5ish minutes could have easily lasted the entire evening, as they were filled with stories, facts, experiences, and resources.

When each small group shared what they talked about with the whole, I personally liked the response “there are many ways to define circular economy.” Which was proven as I ran out of room writing all the responses down, and we only scratched the surface. They were:

• Hand me downs

• Too Good To Go

• Dissolvable pimple patches

• Reuse packaging

  • Reusing anything really!

• Volunteering

• Swapping

• Compost

• Supporting Local

• Menstrual Cups

• Bartering

• Intentional Design

• Legislation

• Mending

• Borrowing

• Recycling

From there, we discussed,

What do you want to know about the circular economy?

Or what we’re skeptical about, unsure of, etc.

Again, this conversation could have lasted through the night but responses we discussed included:

• Pre-consumer waste

• Circular economy in a Capitalistic system, does it work?

• Consumer impact, how/to what extent

• Supporting brands actually doing the work

• Need for (early) education and innovation

• Use of technology

• Politics (getting in the way!)

• Evaluation methods need to go beyond profit

  • Lack of standardization

• Circularity highlighting the true value of people

From there, Holly from Remake, connected what we know and want to know about the circular economy to their

#NoNewClothes 90-Day Challenge

Similar to the circular economy, this challenge looks different on everybody. Last night, one attended pledged not to buy mid-calf socks.

Just like the skinny jean versus mom jeans, this sock length trend is another way for the fashion industry to bully us into buying more. Yes, bullying. Here’s more info, but wear whatever socks you want to because you want to, not because of perception.

Check out the FAQs at the bottom of this page to discover how *you* want take on the challenge. But, the purpose of this challenge is to stop and consider the values we want to wear, and the role we can play in addressing overconsumption to change the fashion industry going forward. By taking on the challenge to buy no new clothes — whether that’s buying nothing at all or only secondhand — for 90 days, you will reduce your carbon footprint, limit the waste you send to landfill, and keep your hard-earned money out of the pockets of companies that hurt people and the planet.

Let me know in the comment if you pledged!

If this already sounds like something you’d be into

check out the other events we’re hosting this month and summer. Reclypt hosts monthly reoccurring events across NYC to help you figure it out AND meet cool people along the way!

Circular Salon takes place every second Wednesday of the month. It’s like hanging in Reclypt’s living room with your friends, role models, and new faces while you connect, share, and build the circular future we all want!

Mending Club gets together every third Tuesday of the month. It’s a time to have communal space to work on our own mending and handcraft projects, and get advice and guidance from our host if you’re new to mending. Bring your own projects.

Sustainable Style Club meets the last Thursday of every month. Discussion is based on our book of the month, NO READING REQUIRED, that guides us to start or grow our sustainable style with tips, resources, and experiences.

We know everything is getting more more expensive, and we want to make this community as accessible as possible, so to do so we offered discounts when you purchase multiple events. Our bundle and save options. Come in 3, 5, & 10 and save you up to 20% off each ticket!

OK - Whether you pledged or not, here are some resources for

How to Not Buy New Clothes for 90 Days

Personally, the take-aways from Circular Salons are my favorite part and huge reason why we started offering this events.

All too often, I’ll buy a ticket to some #enviromental event, rush to the venue after work, listen to people talk about circularity, sustainability, or something like that (it tends to get depressing real quick), get frustrated with the "I-like-to-smell-my-own-farts” direction the discussion is going in, then leave during the “networking” portion because I don’t want to come off as jaded, then get home past my bedtime, and feel like I wasted my time.

Circular Salons aim to not only raise awareness and discuss the problem, but provide community-led, real-life solutions.

So, here are a few tips and resources Circular Salon attendees suggested last night to to help you not buy clothes for 90 days.