7 ways to build an eco-friendly wardrobe
10.17.2016
We can follow fast fashion or create our own style. Ah, yes to own style please(hand raise emoji),fast fashion is such a bore anyway. By choosing eco-fashion we waste fewer resources, save energy, reduce the amount of waste going to landfills, and reducing pollution. A lot of these fast fashion chains have unethical labor laws. So by making better choices we are helping other people as well as respecting animals and the environment. Here are a few ways to make your wardrobe more eco-friendly:
Host a Clothing Swap: Gather friends together for cocktails + hors d’ oeuvres and to bring a few good conditioned clothing items to exchange. There are several ways to host one from, and you can even do a seasonal one. Here is a cute article from Kelly Golightly on how to host a fabulous clothing swap party.
Shop at Vintage + Thrift Stores: This is by far the best way to really own your own style. It’s also an awesome way to decrease your global footprint. You can also shop for gently used designer clothes online as well(and you can also sell here too) try Threadup and Poshmark.
Cut up your old t-shirts: You can do a lot of fun things with old t-shirts, with new sewing at all From turning an old tee into a grocery bag or a totally new tee. It’s easy to use Pinterest for a bunch of ideas.
Have an up-cycle party and re-make your old clothes new again: Who doesn’t love a craft party? You can do so much with old clothes and accessories. Add rhinestones, dip-dye your shoes add cool patches to old sweater. The list can go on and on.
Choose Fabrics Wisely: Synthetic fabrics take a significant amount of energy to produce. Fabrics such as polyester and nylon are not biodegradable. Natural fabrics like cotton, silk, polyester and ray are all recyclable. Organic cotton has less pesticides and is much better for the environment. Many retail stores are increasing their use of organic cotton. Good sustainable fabrics such as bamboo, wool and hemp as well. Good questions to ask yourself when choosing fabrics is it natural, recycled, upcycled, second-hand, fairtraide, local, and for a good cause. These are all great things to consider in your decision. Quality over quantity : )
Shop Local: Buy buying products made in the US we support our local economy and also lowers the carbon footprint of our purchase. Some of my favorite designers that make clothes in the USA are Nanette Lepore, Wildfox Couture, Alice + Olivia, for a full list you can check out here. Also choosing to support a local independent designer in your area helps support your community.
Look for Eco-friendly Brands + Boutiques: By finding brands and stores that you love that are supporting sustainability, then you already know they are doing their best to be Fair Trade and less toxic to the environment and our bodies. Here is a great list of brands who have ethical guidelines.
Don’t throw away old clothes: This is really toxic for our environment when we just toss stained clothes in the garbage. Let’s not be lazy, check to see if there is textile recycling drop off in your area. And Goodwill and Salvation Army will take clothes in any condition. And all their unwanted clothes goes to recycling textile companies. In a Huffington Post article recently they stated that in 2013 alone, Americans discarded 15.1 million tons of clothing and other textiles, and 85 percent of the that wound up in landfills.
So let’s take really good care of the clothes we have. Be awesome and thrifty. And with the money we save from that buy good quality clothing that is good for the environment and community. And when we do have to throw something out let’s go the extra mile to donate it or recycle it. High five!
Illustrated Guide: Perfect Simple Green Juice
5.20.2014
There are so many fun juice concoctions out there. And one for every kind of health improvement. But this is my go to. The perfect amount of sweet and green, with so much nutrition goodness. And if you are on a budget and want to juice, especially organically, then this is a yes! I just add a lot of carrots, which are easy to find cheap and organic, use half a apple, romaine, and a little bit of kale and then some ginger for spice : )
Green Girl: 10 Tips on why to bring your own bag and how to make it a habit.
1.7.2014
1. Reusable bags made of cloth, canvas and etc. have the possibility to replace the use of 1000 plastic bags or more in their lifetime!
2. Plastic is made of petroleum, therefore very harmful to the environment. It takes hundreds of years, let me say that again HUNDREDS to completely break down in landfills.
3. FACT.Americans use, on average, anywhere from 300 to 700 plastic bags each year, per person. There is currently more than 7,250,00 tons of plastic polluting the world’s oceans at this very moment. Eeeeeek.
4. More than 46,000 pieces of plastic contaminate each square mile of our oceans. Okay, now think about that and then all the cute things you love in the ocean. Dolphins, starfish, seahorses or if it helps the things you like to eat in the ocean as well!
So now that you have a few facts that make you cringe. You say, but how am I supposed to remember to always bring a bag with me? Well here are a few helping points:
5. Buy a couple different small packable bags such as baggu that you can carry in your purse. I am always switching purses so I try to have a couple different ones.
6. Have large durable ones for grocery shopping, make a habit of keeping them in your car. Or if you live in the city keep them next to your fridge or grocery list so it is easy to grab them before you run to the grocery store.
7. Keep one bag at where you work, also keep them by your coat rack or by the door. Some people store coupons in them so they definitely do not forget.
8. Many grocery stores give you a discount to bring your own bag. or like Trader Joes they put your name in the raffle : )
9. Bringing your own bag is good for the animals, it means that wildlife won’t get tangled in them or eat them.
10. And IF you do forget and have to pick between plastic or paper. Pick plastic and then make sure to recycle it. Plastic bags require less energyy to produce and generate less solid waste than paper bags. ** And if you do use plastic you can reuse it for many uses, mini trash bags for small trash cans, broken glass, or many other reasons.
Three perfect summer bike outfits.
6.14.2011
Sooo…if you follow me on twitter, you know I am a little obsessed with biking. It’s become such a lovely way of life, especially when we are having all of this beautiful weather here in New York. From biking to the library- to run errands in the garment district -to dinner with friends, when picking out my outfit for the day, what is appropriate for the bike is MY top priority! AND that is not just t-shirts or sneaks! If you know me, I am into dresses and all things girly! So here goes….my top fave picks and why they are best for the chic biker!!!
When jumpers came back into trend, I was all over them. And when I decided to get a bike, they were the perfect pair! Most easiest to bike in for sure! And you never have to worry about showing too much-sometimes the wind takes over, if you know what i mean! I love these clogs from Nina Z. You can find her booth at the Brooklyn Flea, I am about to add some more to my collection. I always get the “Wow!-that is hardcore biking in heels!” But the truth is girls—it’s SO much easier!! I have ruined too many cute flats by having them slip off the pedals! (And some bruised toes as well, no fun!)
Sixties shaped dresses are perfect for riding. They are not super tight, and let little breeze through for those super summer hot days. And if the dress happens to be a little short, just add some super cute bloomers. I am very into this trend lately, and loving the ones from American Apparel!! And you don’t need a giant back pack, little shoulder strap bags are perfect! AND can we talk about helmets??!! Lets be serious girls, we spend so much time painting our faces, lets protect our pretty heads too!! I KNOW, I KNOW….there are NO cute helmets out there!! WELL… what about these white equestrian-like ones??…Bern has a cute one, and I am liking this one from Giro too!! So there–ha ha, no more excuses!
Hot dinner date? No problem. These American Apparel Biker shorts are perfect! I have a pair as well….add a cute top and some strappy shoes, and TADA!! And I am especially loving the corset trend, perfect for a night out with some hot shorts! Betsey has a bunch of cute ones to check out!!
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