Your outdated sweaters, favorite leather jackets, decades-old jeans needn’t be thrown in the dumpster any more.

Uptown Redesigns founder Sandy Philpott, has a better option - cut them up and create stylish handbags. The New Orleans-based business takes used leather coats from thrift shops or your own special pieces and deconstructs, cleans, and reshapes them into stylish new purses. She wastes no part of the coats; she keeps the integrity of the coats’ pockets, belts, and zippers and incorporates them into her unique designs. Using other upcycled fabrics and clothing for the lining and pockets, each creation is truly green, and chic.

The company is a reflection of Philpott’s values, a former educator and businesswoman: to reduce the unnecessary consumer drain on the environment. Her green stance on upcycled materials goes hand in hand with her love of fashion. Take her military-inspired bags, made from US army tents and canvas bag — it’s a new take on the military look — or her coffee sack and leather tote bags. Not in the market for a new purse? Her collection of upcycled leather cuffs (made from belts) adds a twist of fun to your jewelry collection.

Transforming shabby clothes into chic accessories — that’s something every green fashionista can enjoy.

Milkshake is offering you 25% off pre-made or made to order (3-4 weeks) bags.