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HELP, WANTED!! Who?!? EVERYONE! FOR?!? FASHION AWARENESS!!

Your Guide to Financial Success and Sustainable Shopping

Author

Madelyn
September 19, 2023

Hey there, fashionable ladies & lady lads! It’s Madelyn! Today, we're strutting into a topic that's close to my heart (and my Pinterest boards): fashion that not only looks good but feels good for the planet and your wallet. 🌎

Monarch Menu

  • How to break free from the "uniform" rut and express your unique style sustainably.

  • The harsh reality of fast fashion and its impact on our health and the environment.

  • Practical steps to embrace sustainable fashion without breaking the bank.

Picking yourself up & out of that godforsaken “Uniform Rut”

We’ve all been there, standing in front of our closet that’s full of clothes and still seemingly having nothing to wear. You resort to what I (lovingly) refer to as the Basic Girl Uniform. This consists of a black shirt and a pair of jeans. You go out to meet your friends and ope- what was that?! A group of basics in their herd right beside you!! Ughhh I see this all the time, a whole girl gang resorting to the uniform. It’s honestly sad, have we lost our sense of self?! Are we all defaulting back to factory settings?! No! Not you, you will rise above in style, queen!! 💅

Okay, but HOW?! Gather ‘round children, zip it, listen! (said in Nicki Minaj’s voice from Dark Fantasy)

  1. Rediscover Your Style: Reflect on what truly resonates with your fashion sense and image. Imagine yourself feeling confident and beautiful/handsome/gorgeous, whatever you prefer. What are you wearing? (Pinterest boards are my go-to for inspiration!)

  2. Wardrobe Edit: Declutter your closet to make space for sustainable additions. In other words, Marie Kondo that sh!t!! Keep only what you know you’ll actually wear again.

  3. Thrift and Secondhand: Explore thrift stores and online vintage markets for unique, eco-friendly finds. (Depop is a slay in my opinion!)

  4. Support Sustainable Brands: Look for ethical and environmentally conscious brands. (Beware of brands that greenwash!)🙅‍♀️

  5. Mix and Match: Get creative with your outfits by experimenting with different combinations and accessories you may not have worn together yet, sometimes you will surprise yourself with what you already have!

  6. DIY and Upcycling: Transform old clothing items into something new and stylish. Paint/embroider your denim to give it a breath of fresh air or cut apart and reassemble with different pieces to make a patch work design. Remember, fashion has no rules!

  7. Capsule Wardrobe: Build a versatile wardrobe with quality pieces that reflect your style. This one can seem hard, but you do not have to break the bank for a statement piece. Vintage coats and rings make up most of my capsule, and I just thrifted them.

  8. Choose Sustainable Materials: Opt for clothing made from natural, sustainable materials. Try to stay clear of clothes that are literally made up of plastics! (Polyester, nylon, acrylic and polyamide.) Each time we wash these pieces containing plastic, the microfibers are going into our water and that’s not a slay!! 🤢

  9. Quality Over Quantity: Invest in durable, long-lasting fashion items. I KNOW we humans are now brainwashed by social media and constant ads burning into our irises, but we were never meant to have this many options and this much consumption, our planet cannot keep up!

  10. Embrace Slow Fashion: Practice mindful consumption and prioritize timeless pieces. My favorite timeless piece for myself would be Svetlana, my coat my mom ordered me one Christmas off Etsy from a vintage store in Russia. (My moms freaking awesome!) ((Yes, I named my coat))

  11. Personalize Your Look: Add unique touches like statement jewelry or custom-made items. I personally think jewelry is just as important as the rest of the look! My favorite article of jewelry would be rings, you can never have too many in my unprofessional opinion!!

BOOOOO Fast Fashion!! Tomato, Tomato, Tomato!!

LADIES!!!! Let’s be real. Living in this economy and current world is overwhelming and scary. (I want to hurl when I think about it too much!!) So lets be very brave and look fast fashion in its ugly, little, cheap ass, falling-apart-after-one-wash, grimy, greedy eyes. What tf is fast fashion? It’s products that are made cheaply and in bulk quantities for profit. Why is this so bad?

  1. Environmental Harm: Excessive waste, resource depletion, and chemical pollution. I’m sorry, but our Earth is more important than your tiktok shop dress, Melissa. (Sorry if your name is Melissa.)

  2. Ethical Issues: Low wages, poor working conditions, and exploitation of workers. (Sometimes these workers are children in very harsh conditions.)

  3. Low Quality: Clothing is often poorly made and not durable. Often the articles of clothing are drenched in cancer causing chemicals that absorb through our skin. You can’t make this stuff up. 😱

  4. Cultural Appropriation: Insensitive use of cultural elements.

  5. Copycat Designs: Replicating others' work without permission. I’ve seen social media artists going after brands like Shein for straight up taking their artwork and slapping it on a shirt without asking and without credit.

  6. Consumerism: Encouraging overconsumption and waste.

  7. Transparency Issues: Lack of openness about sourcing. Ummmm…sketchy. 🤨

  8. Health Concerns: Harmful chemicals in non-organic materials. Mmmm, yum, carcinogens! SAID NO ONE EVER!

  9. Impact on Local Economies: Job loss in local industries.

  10. Short-Lived Trends: Rapid shifts in fashion styles. This leads to over production and overconsumption once again.

Well Now I’m Scared of Everything!

Yeah, me too.😀 Welcome to my brain! Now that we are all good and paranoid, what can we do about this? Here are a few more practical ways to shop sustainably and not go broke while doing so.

  1. Sales and Discounts: Look for sustainable brands that offer sales and discounts, especially during clearance seasons. Many ethical brands have occasional promotions.

  2. Repair and Upcycle: Learn basic sewing and clothing repair skills to extend the life of your garments. Upcycling can give old clothes a fresh look.

  3. Local Artisans: Support local artisans and small designers who often offer sustainable and affordable pieces. You can find unique items with a personal touch. (Try searching through hashtags on Instagram for local designers!)

  4. Minimalist Approach: Adopt a minimalist mindset. Prioritize items you truly need and love, and avoid impulse buying.

  5. Rent for Special Occasions: Instead of buying outfits that you’re going to wear literally once, consider renting. Many online rental platforms offer a variety of styles, some even designer! gasp!

  6. Swap and Share: Organize clothing swaps with friends or family! Sharing clothes can expand your wardrobe without spending money.

  7. Educate Yourself: KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!!! Stay informed about sustainable fashion practices and brands. Look for brands with sustainable values and affordable options.

  8. End-of-Season Shopping: Purchase seasonal clothing when it's out of season. Retailers often discount items to make room for new stock. (So when fall is coming, shop for summer!)

  9. Conscious Consumerism: Ask yourself if you genuinely need a new item before purchasing. Avoid impulse buys and prioritize mindful shopping!!

While the impact of fast fashion on the environment can be overwhelming (and horrifying), it's essential to remember that the responsibility for change extends beyond lil’ ol’ us girlies. Large companies and the fashion industry as a whole must play a pivotal role in adopting sustainable practices. Your choices to shop consciously and sustainably do make a difference, but it's the collective efforts of consumers, businesses, and policymakers that will drive lasting change. By making informed choices and supporting sustainable brands, you're contributing to a future where fashion can be both stylish and kind to our planet. I understand that always shopping sustainably may not be accessible to everyone, this is not to throw guilt at people who do buy fast fashion (hey, every now and then I get an article from Amazon) nobody is perfect, but to be aware and make choices that align with your ethical morals is a step in the right direction. So, let's continue to do our part, knowing that together, we can create a more sustainable and fashionable world. THATS A BIG SLAY!!!!!

With eco-friendly and budget-friendly love, Madelyn.

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