Sustainable Style Tips for Writers, Working Moms, and Fashionistas
A secondhand Aya Muse blazer I picked up at The RealReal on Melrose.
If you follow me on social media or Substack, you know that I’m a secondhand Louis Vuitton trunk full of sustainable style tips. You can trust that I know what I’m talking about because I walk the (thrifted) talk. Does this mean that I never buy things new or from “fast fashion” brands? No. It’s ok to splurge or buy something once in a while just because you think it’s cute and deserves a spot in your ever-expanding closet. However, strutting down the sidewalk in sustainable style is so much more chic.
Recently, I wrote a post about looking like a cutie for less than an Erewhon smoothie. I styled three outfits that all cost $25 or under. The garments and shoes were all thrifted around Los Angeles, and the purses I used were either gifted or passed down to me from my great-grandmother. And is there anything more sustainable than that? I mean, my great-grandma had that beaded bag in her collection for decades. It’s been working hard.
And that’s what you want your wardrobe to do, too: work hard. Your clothes should be able to be worn more than once, be able to be washed over a handful of times, and remain a go-to of yours for years to come. I get wanting to be trendy, but if your entire collection revolves around what the runways say, you’re never going to find your personal style or have a closet than continues to resonate. And if you really want to wear trends, try finding them at the thrift store.
Sustainable Style Tips for Writers, Working Moms, and Fashionistas
There’s a line from The Manhattan Mishap that I’m (still) obsessed with about thrifting:
I’ve always been under the impression that women who have the ability to buy their outfits completely thrifted and still manage to be the best dressed person in the room are truly iconic and have limitless power.
How can you embrace sustainable style? First, try incorporating timeless pieces into your wardrobe and always prioritize quality over quantity. Opt for natural fabrics like organic cotton and linen that are both eco-friendly and breathable. Shop secondhand or vintage clothing to reduce your carbon footprint and discover fashionable yet frugal finds. Additionally, consider a capsule wardrobe that consists of versatile items that can be mixed and matched, minimizing the need for excessive shopping.
Finally, support ethical brands that prioritize fair trade practices and transparent supply chains, ensuring that your fashion choices contribute positively to the environment and the people involved in creating them. If you need ideas, check out this post I wrote about small Canadian brands to support. There’s fashion, beauty, food, and everything in between.
A thrifted outfit: strapless dress, Calvin Klein sandals, and my great-grandmother’s beaded bag.
Opt for timeless pieces
If you’re only thinking about the here and now when you’re shopping, that’s a problem. I know it’s favourable to live in the moment, but that doesn’t apply when you’re shopping for new (and/or used) clothes. Timeless pieces can be worn again and again throughout the years. Maybe even the decades! You’ll start to see that the ROI on your shopping is way most cost effective than buying a fast fashion piece that you can only wear once or twice and leave for the landfill. Less fast fashion hauls and more cost per wear!
Read More: 6 Years Ago I Tried to Interview Victoria Monet and My Editor Turned it Down
Find trends at the thrift store
If you’re willing to hunt, you can find almost anything at the thrift store. Sure, it takes some extra time. Maybe days, weeks, or months before you find the exact thing you want. But it can be done. Recently, I wanted to challenge myself to see how many spring trends I could find while thrifting. I ended up with seven on-trend looks. And not just ones I’ll be wearing for the season. Many of these outfits I’ll keep wearing long after the magazines says they’re out.
Fast fashion can be bought secondhand
Sustainable style can (sometimes) mean fast fashion, too. Unfortunately, there is a Shein, Fashion Nova, and Pretty Little Thing epidemic happening at the thrift store. If you absolutely must buy fast fashion because you think it’s cute or whatever, then at least try getting it from your local secondhand shop. Racks are stuffed to max capacity with it. So, if polyester garments are your thing, go get it girl.
A $10 dress paired with $15 never-worn slingbacks and a rattan bag gifted to me during my fashion blogging era.
Use a wardrobe cataloguing app
This year, I started cataloguing my wardrobe with Indyx. It’s been really helpful to see what I own all in one place—nothing hiding at the back of my closet, going unworn and forgotten for years. I’ve loved being able to create outfits and track how often (or not) I’m wearing certain things. Since I’ve only just begun, I don’t have that much data yet. But once I do, I’ll share more info! It’s really wild to see the cost per wear of things. Some items I’m at, like, a penny per time I wear it. Other more expensive things, it’s a bit shocking to see that it’s still costing me, sometimes, $50 per wear. Guess I gotta get out more.
Wearing the thrifted Aya Muse blazer from above with my puppy Boa.
Hone in on your personal style
Nothing is more sustainable than finding your personal style. Why? Because if you love everything in your wardrobe and you actually wear your clothes, everything will work in your favour. I’ve spent years honing my personal style. Before 25, I’d say I was experimenting with what worked, with a few long-lasting styles still present in my closet. However, so many things I tried didn’t work at all.
Overall, whether you’re a writer who needs a cute outfit for your author portrait, a working mom who needs to look professional yet remain comfortable, or a fashionista after the latest trends, shopping sustainably is the way to go. Not only is it environmentally conscious, it’s eco-chic. I hope you’ll take these tips and start to build your sustainable wardrobe!
Read More: Stylish Author Photo Outfit Ideas for Every Writer
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