From Scrap to stylish

CEBU, Philippines - Nearly everyone assume that "new is better." Nowadays, it's in the mindset of people to go along the mainstream.

People, especially women, buy new things in order to fit into the fashion trend. Old materials are often disregarded, dumped in either the garage or straight to the garbage bin.

It is a costly habit that often goes unnoticed. And what more, the abandoned materials add up to the garbage system. What most people don't realize is that it's not necessary to spend much to possess new things. Sometimes, it only takes a little polish and good imagination.

Rummaging around in the closets and long-forgotten boxes cluttering the home can spur ideas for a new fashion material. Even recycling bins hold a plethora of materials ready for reuse. One would never know what can be done out of faded curtains, for instance.

Old long-sleeve polo shirts? The buttons can be scraped off as accessory designs. A portion of the cloth could be cut into a bib form where the buttons will be sewn into patterns. And there, from a polo shirt to a fashion bib necklace.

Girls have personal hygienic needs to attend to and that is why they need hand bags with enough zippers and pockets. On the other hand, burned pot holders are of no appeal to be hung on kitchen cabinets. Just with the help of clean zip locks sewn into pages, a square pot holder could be folded and reincarnated into an organizer bag.

Usually, softdrink cans are just thrown away after its content is consumed. What most people don't know is that the cans are ideal for fashionable re-purposing since both the top tab and thin flexible aluminum body can become the sturdy foundation of cuff bracelets, necklace pendants, belt buckles, brooches and pins.

Old jerseys and torn-out denims deserve a second chance in the spotlight. Sewing the sides into desired forms finished with a zipper at the top can transform the clothing into bags. The sleeves of the jersey can be used as sling for a shoulder bag.

ID slings may seem to be of no use especially to people who have already graduated from wearing their identification cards. But ID slings from primary school all the way to college when compiled, can be knitted into colorful belts. The same thing can be done with worn-out zippers.

A person doesn't need to be fashion-forward to be able to see the recyclable in a scrap. To be keen and creative are just the main keys. Aside from minimizing materials to be discarded out to the trash bin, a new fashion item can also be born. Indeed, scrap can be made stylish. Kristelle Jenine, Campos Ortega, Masscom Intern, Univ. of San Jose Recoletos (FREEMAN)