Last week I attended a luncheon at my friend Isabel’s house where I met a group of her friends including a former model named Samantha. As we all sat around eating, the discussion turned to the benefits of taking something old and giving it a new life, rather than adding to the landfill. My ears perked up.

Samantha brought out a shopping bag and said, “Look at this!” As we all watched, she held up a pair of baggy black cotton harem pants in a Batik print with a matching shawl. She’d had the set for years but hadn’t worn either piece in a long time. Then, she flipped the baggy slacks upside down and showed us where she had opened the center seam running along the crotch. We were fascinated.

Moments later, she pulled the pants over her head using the opening she’d made, put her arms through each “leg,” tightened the drawstring around her waist and wrists, and, voila, she’d created a great looking blouson top! And, with the shawl wrapped sarong-style around her hips, she had a very stylish new outfit. To say we were all impressed by her savvy recycling project is an understatement.

So, I have two questions: Are you, like me, going to look through your closet and hope you’ve, somehow, saved a pair of harem pants? And, have you had any clever recycling ideas of your own or know of someone who has? Do share.