Used clothing is sustainable fashion. It’s really good for the planet, and it happens to be gaining popularity as the ‘cool girl’s fashion’ too. In case you are not familiar with my work, I’m a sustainable fashion advocate, influencer, stylist, and an upcycled artist. I talk a lot about the intersection of style, sustainability and self-esteem both here and on my regularly scheduled Instagram LIVES.
Clothing is a very powerful too. I use clothing to empower and express myself, but it can not come at the expense of the environment. By shopping secondhand fashion, I literally wear my values because I believe it is still the best thing you can do for the planet.
Shopping secondhand started out as an environmental stance for me five years ago after watching the True Cost documentary. Shopping secondhand reduces waste, conserves resources, and keeps unwanted clothing out of landfill.
Shopping secondhand is basically reusing and repurposing someone else’s discards. And I happen to be obsessed with it. It’s like rooting for the underdog… and I feel it is the right thing to do. Repurposing is also what I consider creativity. Curating a look from odds and ends is like true sartorial alchemy.
Take a woman who walks into a thrift store- shops on pure instinct & personal aesthetic- no one standing over her shoulder, suggesting what to wear or buy- She walks out looking fabulous. That’s a woman with true style. To do that- you must have style!
The Fashion industry needs some ReFashioning right about now. We need to support the brands and businesses doing good. And we really need everyone to be on board because our planet needs healing.
TAKE THE NO NEW CLOTHES PLEDGE + HEAL THE PLANET
As a global ambassador and board member of the nonprofit Remake, I care a lot about creating a conscious consumer movement and educating people on how they can use fashion for good. I’m excited to share that we are in the midst of another Remake No New Clothes 90 day challenge, and I’m inviting you to join! It’s never too late.
I hope you’ll join me in reinventing our relationship to clothes by taking the pledge to buy no new clothes for 90 days and doing the best thing we can for the planet right now. We started June 1st and conclude September 1, but any bit you can do is worth the effort!
Join me on Instagram LIVE for my ReFashionTALK LIVE series every Monday + Friday 10am PST @iamlauramadden
Thank you to Goodwill for collaborating with me on this project. All clothing provided by Goodwill. Photo credit Gene Watson