Sustainability & Being Clothing Conscious: It Matters

Slow fashion is not a new concept and the pandemic has brought attention to the amount of waste from within our closets.

Welcome To My Blog

When my great-grandmother passed away when I was ten, I was given her sewing machine. I would sit with my grandmother and learn the basics of sewing. My first projects were creating new clothing for my Barbie's. When I was in high school, my dad would buy his original Levi's 501 #levis jeans (#givebetter) and would wear them until they became faded, ripped and torn. They were no longer useful for him since he liked them dark and crisp. Because my dad is a small guy, I could fit in his 30x30 Levi's so I would quickly inherit them. Sometimes I would make the rips in the knees larger and wear colored tights under them. On others, I took fabric paint and doodled designs. I would oftentimes visit local thrift stores with my BFF and source items that could be transformed with a touch of creativity. Sometimes we got lucky and scored some slightly loved vintage pieces. Although this has been nearly 30 years ago, my love for taking used clothing and resurrecting them in new ways never stopped.

Blogging with Purpose

"The pandemic has brought a lot of attention to the amount of waste we have as individuals." XGENX

This is a work in progress as I continue to build my blog and messaging. In addition to my blog, please be sure to see relevent content on my social media linked on my page. As I continue to evolve my content, I will be adding more social media platforms. Currently you can find me on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter. My goal is to foster a sustainable conscious community.

Doing My Part

At a time when the world is discussing waste and climate change, it makes sense that people may oftentimes look at their own waste and what can be minimized. I've recently done this myself with items I no longer use, as well with no longer fits...since I have been on a weight loss journey. I've found myself saying I have “nothing to wear” with a closet full of items I cannot put together. Which means I have too much waste.

It is amazing what a simple Google search can provide by using the key words #wardrobecapsule #sustainablefashion #sustainablefashionblogger. Harper’s Bazaar has provided insight with some basic sample pieces to invest in for longevity to incorporate in your capsule (Davis, 2021). Although some pieces may need to be curated if your closet does not have these items, it explains how to invest in pieces that will last in style and quality. My messaging is to promote less waste and self-responsibility.

Some History

“The lockdown reminded us that we could creatively reuse what we had by transforming it and that everything can last forever."

— Stefano Gabbana —

While my love of upcycling and capsule wardrobes has been evolving over the past few decades, the concept started long before that. Susie Faux opened a boutique in London during the 1970's called "Wardrobe," which focused on minimalist capsule style (Astoul, 2021). During the 1980's, Donna Karan created what she called "Seven Easy Pieces" which allowed women to shift their styles with minimal effort (Astoul, 2021). Other designers, such as Orsola de Castro, co-founder of Fashion Revolution, have been promoting sustainable fashion since the late 1990's with their upcycling label called From Somewhere (Shurvell, 2020).

The pandemic lockdown gave me a lot of time for self-reflection and how I can minimize my carbon footprint. Days became weeks, weeks became months of wearing nothing but leggings and oversized t-shirts. When I did go back to work in August 2020, I realized that most of the items in my closet I will never wear again. Designers found that fabric mills in Europe were hit especially hard and found themselves in closure with no end in sight (Omerod, 2021). With fabric mill closures, paired with supply chain issues, many designers such as Dolce & Gabbana, embraced the idea of upcycling and minimizing waste (Omerod, 2021). By taking pieces in their stock, they embraced creating new items without having to depend on fabric mills.

Get Inspired

Visit me by following and sharing my social media. Contribute to the community by sharing creative ideas and other ways to reduce our carbon footprint.

References

Astoul, E. (2021, March 25). What is a capsule wardrobe? (& how to build one. Sustainably Chic. https://www.sustainably-chic.com/blog/what-is-a-capsule-wardrobe

Davis, J. (2021, August 17). The 27 pieces you need for the ultimate capsule wardrobe. Harper’s Bazaar. https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/fashion/what-to-wear/a29204515/how-to-build-capsule-wardrobe/

Hahn, A., PhD. (2019). Influencers and social media. Salem Press Encyclopedia.

Omerod, K. (2021, January 26). The pandemic forced designers to embrace upcycled fashion. Harpers Bazaar. https://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/designers/a35232888/upcycled-fashion-designers-covid-19-pandemic/

Shurvell, J. (2020, January 8). The rise of upcycling: Five brands leading the way at London men's fashion week 2020. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanneshurvell/2020/01/08/the-rise-of-upcycling-five-brands-leading-the-way-at-london-mens-fashion-week-2020/?sh=19f5dbe47478