Spring Break
Vintage treasures
Razorback Runway
Natalie Johnson
Issue date: 9/3/08 Section: Life & Style
Make the most of your wardrobe and every piece of clothing.
Now is a good time to clean up your closet and use all your clothes, including the clothes you will not wear.
First, do not overlook fabulous finds in your own closet. A garment that you have not worn in years could fit like a glove now or might go perfect with a new pair of pants. Many trends and styles this season are very flexible and favorable to all types of clothing.
There are always clothes that hold sentimental and comfort value. If you cannot bear to part with clothes, wear them. Be innovative, and recreate garments in your wardrobe. One idea: a handy accessory this season is a belt, thick or thin. Belts can add style to almost any shirt. Shirts can scrunch, be tucked in, emphasize a waistline and add flavor with a simple belt.
If you cannot wear the clothes now, make better use of them. Instead of trashing clothes, transform them to something usable or give them to someone in need.
If crafts are not for you, donation is key. I suggest being lenient with clothes you choose to give. You will not miss any clothes that have not been worn recently, and someone will have the opportunity to appreciate them.
Fayetteville and other places in Northwest Arkansas have many options for donating clothes and other belongings. Seven Hills Homeless Shelter is near campus and gladly receives seasonal clothing as long as storage allows. For more information or for other ways to help, visit sevenillscenter.org.
The Salvation Army also always accepts clothing. There are biweekly drop-off times at the two locations. The other option is thrift stores. Make your donations feel good; if you have a certain concern, like the homeless or the abused, support them. The thrift store on Sycamore Avenue supports domestic abuse. The drop-off days are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays.
If you are hurting for some cash, some thrifts stores offer cash for clothes, too.
Those willing to get creative will find that fabric and clothes go far beyond their general use. Rugs, which are generally expensive items, can be made out of cut strips of cotton fabrics. Weaving and braiding techniques easily found on the Internet show how to make various designs of any kind of fabric.
Have pets? A T-shirt is a great tool for pet toys, especially cats. Cut long thin strips, create a handle out of a loop, and then tie varied widths and lengths of strings to the handle. Dangle in front of a cat and you have free entertainment.
Those are just a few suggestions for making the most of your closet. Maximizing use of your goods will benefit you and others today.
Natalie Johnson is a columnist for The Arkansas Traveler. Her column appears every other Wednesday.
Now is a good time to clean up your closet and use all your clothes, including the clothes you will not wear.
First, do not overlook fabulous finds in your own closet. A garment that you have not worn in years could fit like a glove now or might go perfect with a new pair of pants. Many trends and styles this season are very flexible and favorable to all types of clothing.
There are always clothes that hold sentimental and comfort value. If you cannot bear to part with clothes, wear them. Be innovative, and recreate garments in your wardrobe. One idea: a handy accessory this season is a belt, thick or thin. Belts can add style to almost any shirt. Shirts can scrunch, be tucked in, emphasize a waistline and add flavor with a simple belt.
If you cannot wear the clothes now, make better use of them. Instead of trashing clothes, transform them to something usable or give them to someone in need.
If crafts are not for you, donation is key. I suggest being lenient with clothes you choose to give. You will not miss any clothes that have not been worn recently, and someone will have the opportunity to appreciate them.
Fayetteville and other places in Northwest Arkansas have many options for donating clothes and other belongings. Seven Hills Homeless Shelter is near campus and gladly receives seasonal clothing as long as storage allows. For more information or for other ways to help, visit sevenillscenter.org.
The Salvation Army also always accepts clothing. There are biweekly drop-off times at the two locations. The other option is thrift stores. Make your donations feel good; if you have a certain concern, like the homeless or the abused, support them. The thrift store on Sycamore Avenue supports domestic abuse. The drop-off days are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays.
If you are hurting for some cash, some thrifts stores offer cash for clothes, too.
Those willing to get creative will find that fabric and clothes go far beyond their general use. Rugs, which are generally expensive items, can be made out of cut strips of cotton fabrics. Weaving and braiding techniques easily found on the Internet show how to make various designs of any kind of fabric.
Have pets? A T-shirt is a great tool for pet toys, especially cats. Cut long thin strips, create a handle out of a loop, and then tie varied widths and lengths of strings to the handle. Dangle in front of a cat and you have free entertainment.
Those are just a few suggestions for making the most of your closet. Maximizing use of your goods will benefit you and others today.
Natalie Johnson is a columnist for The Arkansas Traveler. Her column appears every other Wednesday.
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