Chic Upcycled Items You Won't Believe Were Something Else Before

As a fashion editor and a self-proclaimed "hippie in heels," it's always a goal of mine to be a more mindful consumer, especially in the fashion space. But where to start? Shopping my closet and “renting” clothes on demand is a great place to start, but what about that insatiable craving for newness? Having long been a vintage shopper, there something exciting about taking it one step further and buying something that really feels one of a kind, not just an abandoned “great find." Upcycling by definition is “reusing [discarded objects or material] in such a way as to create a product of higher quality or value than the original." This poses the ultimate existential fashion question: Is the repurposed “old” as exciting as the “new”? I say yes, it absolutely can be. Here’s a roundup of great upcycled pieces from designers and companies who are driving the idea that preexisting materials can most certainly become shiny new things.