In a world of fast fashion styles change with the season, and it's pretty tempting to hit up Forever 21 or H&M for cheap, made in China versions of the latest trends. The problem there is that keeping up with what's in style often means supporting sweat shop labor only to purchase cheap garments that fall apart after a dozen washes (if you're lucky!).

This adds up to tons of waste every year. From the conventional cotton grown with harmful pesticides to petroleum-based polyester, the garment industry has a huge environmental footprint. It isn't just the fabric that's a problem. Conventional dyes are full of heavy metals and other toxins that often contaminate waterways surrounding garment factories.

Marisa Lynch is bucking that trend with her New Dress a Day project. Rather than hitting up big box stores to stay in style, Lynch is using her passion for sewing and refashioning to turn mumus and other frumpy thrifts store finds into awesome, contemporary styles!

Her goal is to refashion one dress every day for 365 days, spending only $365 total:

So, that’s where my ode to no traditional shopping begins. This year, I will be foregoing trips to Bloomies and Nordstrom for brand new gear. Goodbye to H&M purchases and accessory grabbing at Forever 21. And seeing the “must have” French Connection dress in People’s Style Watch will just have to suffice as a cut out on my inspiration board.
[...]
One person’s trash is becoming my treasure this year.

Pretty awesome, right? She's going to have a huge wardrobe by the end of this project, while saving money and resources at the same time!

[h/t Green LA Girl]

Image Credits:
H&M Window. Creative Commons photo by roel1943
Before and After. Images via New Dress a Day