If you’ve worked with me, you’ve heard me say, “The second step to my process is getting ‘conscious’ with your closet.” When I say this, I mean, “Let’s look at everything in your closet…even those pieces hiding in the very back that you haven’t worn in forevah!” I always get a few laughs because all of us have something lingering back there that we forgot about or hid because it was never worn and still had tags hanging on it.
Today, I want to talk about taking that “conscious” effort even further. I call it “Getting conscious wth your clothing.” My clients understand when I teach them the many benefits of wearing quality clothing, that you will love for years, as opposed to wearing, what I and many in this industry call, “Fast Fashion” – In other words: “Throw away clothing.” The latter is not quality, and although you may love it, it won’t be a love for years because it will never last for that long.
For a person (moi!) who has been in the fashion industry forevah 🙂 – I started off my career in fashion as a designer – I know the impact that the production of clothing has on our planet. It is one of the reasons why I always tell my clients, “You don’t need to have a huge wardrobe, you just need the right pieces.” And I back it with, “Your closet is prime real estate in your home. Make sure that the pieces you choose to buy deserve a place in your closet.”
And I’m serious.
I love this planet that we are privileged to live on. Our impact on the environment is huge. Although we get dressed everyday, and we want to feel good in the items we choose to wear, we really do need to be more socially “conscious” about our clothing choices. Here’s a stat that is astounding:
1 major fashion brand uses 28 trillion gallons of fresh water every year
It’s hard to fathom that one fashion brand spends this amount of water to produce clothing every year, when 1.5 million children die every year because of inadequate, water, sanitation, and hygiene.
So you may ask, “How can I be a more socially ‘conscious’ about my clothing choices?”
Great question. And I’d love to answer it.
Here’s my top seven suggestions:
- Don’t Buy Fast Fashion aka: “Throw away clothes.” Buy quality over quantity. Buy durable over disposable. Buy fewer better things that you love and will last. Have an affinity for beautifully made, high quality items – Buy that timeless black dress. Care and repair your beloved pair of great fitting jeans instead of tossing them away to buy another pair. When you buy better quality and have spent your hard earned cash, you are more likely to treasure your clothing. If that isn’t enough, to convince you to buy quality, read this: Making a t-shirt requires multiple energy-intensive processes, carcinogenic chemicals, hazardous dyes and vast amounts of water. Once finished, the accumulation of chemical cocktails, hormone disruptors and heavy metals that rest in the fibers of your t-shirt wreak havoc on your body over time. —Andrea Plell/Remake
- Buy Less. Even if you’re one who only buys quality, buy less of it. Do you really need another (fill in the blank)__________? I speak about creating competition in your closet when you have too many pieces of similar items. Inevitably you’ll only wear your fave one or two. The rest were a waste to buy. When you have fewer pieces that you love, you’ll get the most out of every garment and enjoy getting dressed effortlessly.
- Be Curious About The Women Who Make Our Clothes. Know the care that it takes to produce a single garment from conception to you owning it. They are made by real people. 100 pairs of human hands touch your clothes before you see it in the stores or online. 80% of our fast fashion is made by young women between the ages of 18 and 24. Many earn less than $3 per day. Cutting costs is at the cost of young women.
- Shop Consignment Stores. I love finding a cool piece that’s only been gently worn. I still have pieces that I found on consignment that are my go-to favorites. The added bonus is that many “vintage” items from the early 90’s are made better than many current brands. We live in the era of almost anything goes, so scouring a consignment store and finding something unique is super exciting.
- Shop Local and Sustainable Fashion. Buy brands that have raised the bar for ethical and sustainable practices. Check labels – many fabrics are now made from sustainable textiles such as recycled plastic bottles and even fishing nets. Don’t know any? Let your fingers do the walking and google it. In the meantime, click here for a few.
- Give Away Pieces You Don’t Really Love To Someone Who Will. I love seeing the pieces I’m no longer interested in wearing on my favorite gal pals. They enjoy wearing them and I enjoy seeing them in them. Better yet, organize a clothing swap, gather your girls, swap clothing, go home with a few pieces or a new wardrobe.
- Hire A Personal Wardrobe Consultant. When you have someone who can help you discover, define, and refine your wardrobe, you’ll be dressing by design instead of by default. That means less purchases, more wears per garment, and a closet full of beautiful quality clothing that you love. Not to mention oodles of money and time saved.
There you have it. Do it for yourself. Do it for the environment. Thank you!
*****
Now, it’s your turn. I’d love to hear from you. Your insights and inspiration are appreciated so please share your stories in the comments below.
If you have a question also post it in the comment section below. I check it daily. Since the topic is always about fashion or style no question that you ask will be “off Topic.”
That means as far as I’m concerned, when you ask a question that is the topic. Everyone else who’s reading it can follow up on my answer. There will be no questions that you ask that will be be too far off topic because your question will be the current topic. So…ask away!
Oh…and your email address is not “required” even though it says so. 🙂 Don’t even ask.
Blog me.
Love,
~Michelle
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