Use it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do, or
Do without.
Remember that old Depression-Era rhyme? It still applies today.
As a passionate devotee of ethical fashion, I adore sharing new products and styles here. But while I gush about gorgeous purses and dresses, my actual purchases are measured and few. Buying every trend that comes along isn’t sustainable for my budget or the planet. So I admire from a distance, and spread the word.
I’m currently practicing the traditional definition of sustainability in several areas, choosing to save, reuse, and mend instead of buy, buy, buy.
Currently using up: I still have clothing from my fast fashion days. I’m keeping and using my Old Navy tees and jeans for as long as they last. I’d love to have a closet of only ethically made clothing, but throwing out usable items to get there defeats the purpose.
Currently wearing out: My formerly gray jeans bought several years ago. After the color faded, I dyed them. Now the hole in the knee means I’m keeping them as my distressed pair. They’ll probably end up as cut-offs before too long.
Currently making do: I LOVE boots. Love them. So when my tall black boots had a run-in with my elderly cat, I was sad. I’m not sure if my black boots are going to recover, but I’ve found that my rain boots and black ankle boots fill the gap for now.
Currently doing without: Dress pants. My only pair of non-denim, non-workout pants tore a few months ago. My stay-at-home lifestyle doesn’t require much in the way of a professional wardrobe, so I’m doing without dress pants until I decide if I can mend my previous pair.
A lovely thing about traditional sustainability is that it’s free! If you are feeling left out of the ethical fashion loop due to budget restraints, this is a wonderful place to start. Focusing on patience, restraint, and re-use isn’t a second-rate form of sustainable fashion; it’s the original method, the real deal, and a fabulous way to contribute to a better world.
