Simi’s Sustainable Homecoming Look

Check out our Instagram page to see the fit on!

What inspired your Homecoming outfit this year?

I was inspired to create my own design because I wanted something unique to me, but I also saw it as a fun way to showcase my school colours. I’m also really passionate about sustainability, so I tried to reuse materials I already had instead of buying new ones 

Did you thrift or upcycle any pieces for your outfit?

Yes! I actually upcycled the clothes I used. The material is from last year’s Homecoming outfit, but I completely redesigned it into a new top

How do you think fashion at Queen’s could be made more sustainable?

I think sustainability is definitely something Queen’s students could focus on more. Fast fashion is extremely popular here, and I sometimes fall into buying pieces I don't need. However, I think there’s a lot of potential for students to get more into thrifting or even upcycling old pieces, like I did this year.

Would you consider making custom thrifted pieces for other students?

Definitely! I love helping people bring their creative ideas to life. I have actually made various pieces for many fashion clubs here at Queens.

Did you sketch out your design first or just start creating?

I actually didn't use a sketch this time, as I normally would, I kind of just let my creativity do it. I definitely changed the design a lot compared to my original idea, but I am super happy with how it turned out. I would recommend always having a sketch first, though, and then making adjustments as you go. 

How long did it take you to make the shirt from start to finish?

It took me about two days to get it fully done, but obviously, as a student, I often got distracted by class, friends, etc. I would say I put in about 4-5 hours of full work, which is probably the same amount of time I'd be online looking for pieces to buy. 

What was the most challenging part of creating it?

 Definitely getting the fit just right. Since I was using material from a previous outfit, I had to be creative with how I cut and restructured it. There was limited fabric to work with, so every piece had to count.

Check out our Social Media to see Simi's and her friends' sustainable FOCO looks!! Instagram Tiktok Pinterest