The author in sustainability sourced style.
On the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, I thought it’d be poignant to share how you can stay stylish while being sustainable in your fashion choices regardless of what your style and preferences are. Plus, you can save money and I, for one think that that’s another way to save Mother Earth.
Whether you have a palate for high end luxury or prefer a more casual, active wardrobe or some combination (or something else entirely) chances are you wear clothes. If you’re a nudist that probably even better for the planet but I’m going to guess that 99% of people reading this will have to put pants on at some point. So, make your investment in those pants in a way that has less of an impact on the environment (and your wallet)!
Read on below for some examples of sustainable choices I’ve made and some simple advice on how to curate your own closet in a way that lets you be Chic on a Shoestring: looking good, spending less, and yes … saving the planet.
A vintage dress from Goodwill and Lilly Pulitzer skirt from the author’s mother.
The Finer Things in Life
Everyone likes nice stuff. It’s a no brainer. Beautiful, luxury goods just look, feel, wear better. They also last longer. Luxury goods are almost always synonymous with quality. They’re made by people earning a decent, living wage and so they’re made to last. They also tend to use materials that also are made to last. I’m talking materials like leather, brass, high quality fabrics. Combine craftsmanship with quality materials and you have shoes (or anything) that’s going to last for years. Just pause to contemplate how many Louis Vuitton bags are going to still be around in even 10 years versus any plastic accessory from H&M.
A Louis Vuitton Neverfull from eBay and Chanel Espadrilles from Mercari.
By buying higher end items, you’re not only going to feel and look better, you’re also going to spare the planet from all the cheap crap that ends up in landfills. Don’t get me wrong, I do own some fast fashion, but I choose to focus on purchasing high quality goods that will last as well as make me feel like a total boss.
While I like really nice stuff, I also like saving my credit rating and not killing my bank account either. And my secret is that I buy most of my fancy stuff used. By purchasing something second hand you’re extending that item’s lifespan and keeping it out of a landfill. If you take care of it, you’ll extend its lifespan even further. And the longer someone keeps wearing it, the more it has a positive impact on the environment.
The Active Life
I’ve written about activewear before but it’s just so popular that I need to bring it up again. Everyone loves being comfy. There’s no argument on this. I love getting dressed up and ball gowns but no of that fancy stuff compares to my favorite Athleta joggers. I will throw those pants on any chance I get.
The activewear market is pretty crowded these days with a gazillion brands churning out new releases, colors, and styles with increased frequency so there’s also a really amazing supply of activewear available via the “second hand” market. Just like the luxury goods, I feel strongly that by buying items second hand, you extend their use (duh) but you also keep them from ending up as garbage and polluting.
A Patagonia fleece from Buffalo Exchange and a pair of Allbirds Wool Runners from Goodwill
But certain activewear and brands have an even greater impact. Brands like Patagonia have a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability. They work to ensure their products are sustainably sourced, used recycled materials when possible and encourage their customers to repair and reuse their products before recycling them (as opposed to just trashing them) when they’re finally at the end of their lifespan.
To drive that point home further, Patagonia estimates that by using 80% of recycled materials in their 2020 polyester fabric, that they avoided over 5 million pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Read more about this initiative here.
Viva La Vintage
Ever heard the adage “what’s old is new”? Well, that should be the official motto of Vintage. The actual definition for Vintage varies depending on who you talk but for in my opinion (and for this post) I tend to consider anything over 10 years old “vintage”. And I love Vintage! Regardless of your style, there’s always a way to incorporate some vintage pieces into your look. Love athleisure? Add a vintage Champion hoodie or a fanny pack to your closet. Into a more classic and composed look? Throw one some vintage Ferragamo pumps and a navy double breasted blazer (look for one with shoulder pads for an even bolder take on the classics!).
The obvious case for vintage swag is that you look great and add unique pieces to your wardrobe. It’s highly unlikely that you’re going to run into someone with the same bag or jacket if you’re rocking vintage. You just know that you look cool when rocking vintage. But the other big plus for having these pieces is that you end up keeping these treasures in your closet instead of trash cans.
A vintage Dooney and Bourke bag from the author’s mother and vintage Lady Dior bag from Poshmark.
Vintage has definitely grown in popularity with more and more vintage shops popping up across main streets, in fashion hubs like NYC, and online at sites like Esty. And the more popular something gets, the more expensive it tends to get too. That’s not to say that you can still find cool vintage pieces without breaking the bank. First and foremost, talk to your family and friends. Some of my favorite vintage pieces came from my family including a fun vintage Lilly Pulitzer, custom Hermes blouse, and a fun 80s windbreaker.
Fashion for Action
Looking good is important because it makes you feel good. And when you feel good, you accomplish more and have more success at whatever it is that moves you.
But what’s the point of looking good and being successful if our environment is wrecked? Being clad head to toe in designer gear won’t look good if you’re standing in the middle of a landfill. And all the activewear and hipster swag won’t matter if there’s nowhere to workout (or do anything). By investing in sustainable style means that you’re investing in somewhere to wear that curated closet.
I’m doing my part by committing to buying less, repairing and upcycling more, and making sustainable choices when I do add to my closet. I hope that you’ll join me in this pledge.
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