Why care? Fashion. Sustainability. The Environment. Our Future.
Why do I care so much about sustainability and fashion? And why am I so convicted that sustainability and style can commingle as one?
A large part of my why is this: About four years ago I learned that I was a huge part of the problem. After watching the documentary True Cost in July 2015, I learned for the first time that the fashion industry has a dirty little secret. HUGE, actually. Sadly, for fashion and environmental lovers like myself, the fashion industry is a hugely polluting industry.
And I, someone that knew for many years that I overindulged when it came to clothes- especially discount shopping, and always thought to myself ‘it’s just shopping- I’m not hurting anyone.’ The irony- I actually was inadvertently hurting plenty of people. Garment workers all over the world.
What I learned is that- unless you are shopping secondhand- if you are paying an unreasonably low (ie. too good to be true) price, like $5 for a T shirt, or $15 for brand new jeans, someone somewhere is paying that price.
Question that good deal! How is a garment priced so low? Because, for starters, garment workers are not being paid fair wages and in some cases are even being abused. Hard to believe, but in the year 2020 slave labor does exist.
I was that girl who shopped excessively, purchased a new item every time I had ‘nothing to wear,’ and soothed emptiness or other uncomfortable emotions by buying more stuff. But my real medicine is not shopping more, but getting creative more.
Challenging my creativity- creating in my closet, playing with the clothing options I already own… how many ways can you wear it? I truly believe this can lead to less waste in the world, and a much more stylish, fully expressed life.
One thing each of us can control is our actions. Think about your wardrobe, and where your clothing comes from. Each purchase is a vote. Each choice matters. Do your best to make your next shopping choice a sustainable and responsible one. Ask questions. Educate yourself. Share what you know with others.
Impeccable style can be both sustainable & affordable, and does not have to come at the cost of human & environmental ethics. Only good things can come from learning to be a more conscious consumer- because it really does matter. I hope you will join me in this journey to live a more sustainable lifestyle and build a more conscious closet.
Follow me on Instagram where daily I share my sustainable shopping and styling advice. And also, please follow Remake, a nonprofit I work closely with that creates content, such as films, simple guides, and live events, to build a conscious consumer movement and more. Remake is constantly sharing resources and guides on living and shopping more responsibly, and I highly recommend their website as a reliable industry source.
Educate and action- two things we all can do right now, today. And there is no reason you can’t be stylish on your journey of doing so.
Cheers!
Clothing: Goodwill, all vintage.
Photography: Gene Watson
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