If you’re a vintage shopper, then you probably identify with the saying “one person’s trash is another’s treasure.” While sifting through endless racks of second-hand clothing can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack bag of mothballs, it’s almost always worth it when you find that gem of a sweater stuffed between two nondescript wraps. Conversely, it can be really disheartening when you spy an incredibly beautiful textile, only to find out it belongs to some hideously outdated pair of pants.

No matter how organic or eco-friendly I try to be in my garment purchases, it’s impossible to get around the fact that when I purchase something new, that item is made up of new materials and thus, in some fashion, perpetrating an unsustainable chain. Still, shopping second-hand can be daunting and take time and I think there are a lot of us who would prefer to be more eco-chic but just can’t quite jump on the “used” bandwagon.

With a clever play on the old saying I mentioned earlier, Junky Styling is a label that specializes in deconstructing old garments and using the quality textiles in new designs. The UK based design duo, Annika Sanders and Kerry Seager, cite non other than San Francisco’s recycling mentality as an inspiration behind their 14-year-old brand. Of course, by recycling previously worn apparel, no two finished pieces are exactly alike, keeping with the uniqueness that makes vintage shopping so exciting.

Though they started by deconstructing men’s suits and creating original tweed numbers, Junky Styling has expanded its ready-to-wear lines to include things like feminine skirts in blues and pinks and funky dresses that can be worn as skirts. I’m especially intrigued by their multitudes of little black dresses—talk about timeless! If you want to make your Junky experience even more individual, try their “Wardrobe Surgery” service and bring in your own clothing to be redesigned.

Images courtesy of Junky Styling