Some notes from the 4H events at the Iowa State Fair, courtesy of Iowa State Extension
A shirt from a garage sale, pants from a consignment store, a retro or vintage jacket from Mom or Dad's closet: these are the fashion building blocks that Iowa teens
will be using as they prepare their recycled outfits for the 4-H $15 Challenge clothing event at the Iowa State Fair. 4-H teens from throughout the state - up to three 4-H'ers per county - will be competing in this "green" recycling challenge at State Fair, said Sue Bogue, program specialist with Iowa State University (ISU) Extension 4-H Youth Development.
They will be modeling their $15 Challenge creations during the 4-H Revue of Fashions, Aug. 7, 8 and 9. The Revue is at noon each day at Merle Hay Mall in the Lower Bridge Court and repeated at 4 p.m. in the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair.
"Their challenge is to spend no more than $15 at consignment shops, garage sales, eBay or other used clothing venues to select or purchase clothing for a complete outfit. They may not purchase new clothes at traditional retail stores for this challenge," Bogue said.
"Selected" means its OK to use clothing from a "free" box at a garage sale or to borrow a "vintage" piece from Mom or Dad - with their permission, of course, Bogue explained.
"We really are encouraging young people to expand their shopping horizons and ‘go green' by reusing or recycling clothing. And besides, it's ‘cool' to be thrifty, particularly in today's economy," Bogue said. "Also, rather than buying something under $15 just for this State Fair clothing event challenge, 4-H'ers should consider look, fit and construction as well as whether they need the clothing in their wardrobe," Bogue noted.
"In fact, we encourage adults to learn this lesson, too."
4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. In Iowa the 4-H program is headquartered on the ISU campus in Ames and offered in every county through the local ISU Extension office.
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