Going green is something that I’ve always done throughout my life, subconsciously. I never gave it a second thought when my family and I would save bottles and cans and then recycle them at the local grocery store. This was at a time when there were no machines to crunch cans and shatter glass bottles. We had to physically count items prior to going to the store, wait on the recycling line, and then watch the clerk recount everything and give back cash that my siblings and I would split.
Speaking of siblings, hand me downs were also an easy way to go green. Rather than buy new clothing, I wore my sister’s old clothes. I remember immigrating from Jamaica with only a few pieces from back home. While most kids shopped for clothing for the upcoming school year, I received my cousin’s old fall and winter fashions. Back then, we didn’t have a lot and wanted to save as much as possible. But I never thought about the positive impacts these smart choices had on the environment.
Fast Forward to Junior High, my friends and I often swapped clothing to extend our wardrobe for the week. It gave off the illusion that we could afford to buy a ton of name brand clothing. We knew nothing about going green, and renting clothes wasn’t a thing.
Years later, times haven’t changed much. While I may be able to afford a little more, my thought process is very much the same. I no longer get hand-me-downs from my big sister or cousin, and I don’t exchange clothes with childhood friends before school. However, I continue to practice ways to extend my wardrobe and take advantage of other eco-friendly options. Here are some helpful tips to dress sustainably.
How to Dress Sustainably
Repurpose your clothes. My body has gone through so many changes over the years, including being pregnant. So you can probably imagine that I’ve been different sizes throughout my adulthood. However, there are some styles I’ve been able to keep. In order to recycle them, I’ve had to alter a few pieces, including maternity fashions.
Shop consignment. I first learned about consignment shopping when I interviewed a store owner for a story I was working on. In addition to purchasing gently worn clothes, you can sell your own. I also do this with clothing my children have outgrown and with finding a breitling replica to buy. You’d be surprised by the great finds when consignment shopping.
Donate unwanted clothes. Instead of leaving them hanging in a closet, give to a good cause and help others to be more sustainable; someone else will enjoy extending the life of your garments.
Clothing rentals. I’ve been working in TV for years and have built up a pretty sizable wardrobe. But, I’ve been feeling like freshening things up and wanted to give rentals a try. It frees up space in my closet and it’s eco-friendly too. I heard about Armoire from a friend. The selections are amazing and they’re packaging is also eco-conscious. Each case comes in a bag that can be reused upon returning items. Armoire offers a wide range of sizes with options for different occasions.
Contributing to a circular economy concept like fashion rentals minimizes waste. It saves garments from ending up in landfills. Rental platforms like Armoire are a great way to go green and protect our environment.
No matter how you decide to go green with your fashion choices, do your research. I hope you find this post informative. Please comment and share ways you dress sustainably. In the meantime, Armoire is offering a 50% discount to new subscribers. Here’s a link to sign up. Also, please follow me @weatheranchormama on Instagram for more fashion tips, weather updates, and get to know me off-camera.
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