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Learning about sustainability is an ongoing process. Whether you’re looking to dive into the intellectual thought and theories about why exploitative systems exist (both in fashion and in a greater social context) or are simply looking for practical fashion advice so that you can be more mindful in your day-to-day actions, there is a sustainable fashion blog or publication that will support you in that.

When I first started looking into sustainable fashion, blogs were my go-to source. Back in 2018 though, the majority of blogs were simply suggesting styling tips or eco-friendly shopping tips and rarely touched on the root cause and impact of the fashion industry on people. Now that we’re a little more aware of how everything is interconnected, the conversations that these blog posts cover have a little more substance.

Here are 5 of my favorite sustainable fashion blogs that talk about more than just fashion from a superficial perspective.

1. Intersectional Environmentalist

Intersectional Environmentalist is probably the biggest hub for intersectional sustainability. Leah Thomas created a post that went viral amidst the George Floyd protests that called for social justice to be brought to the forefront of environmentalist conversations and that sparked the entire community.

While Intersectional Environmentalist is not strictly a blog, nor does it talk exclusively about fashion, their resources hub is one of the best places to get educated on climate justice from an intersectional perspective. Their resources hub is organized, easy to navigate, and provides insight on some of the most pressing matters as it pertains to climate justice.

2. Green Dreamer Kamea / Uprooted

It’s no surprise that Kamea’s newsletter is on this list. I’ve been an avid listener of Green Dreamer Podcast since 2019 and have learned so much through the conversations with the variety of guests that she’s featured, that it only made sense to include this equally thoughtful newsletter on this list.

“Uprooted is a 100% reader-funded newsletter that explores sustainability through the lens of deep ecology and decolonial thought-in-progress. It centers on those who have been dispossessed–physically, emotionally, spiritually–and alludes to a future of true abundance and wellness for all, when the dominant, exploitative system has been uprooted.”

This newsletter addresses current conversations in environmentalism and always offers a perspective that is grounded in healing and equity. There are some posts that are for paid subscribers only but also a plethora of articles to read that are open to the public. I highly recommend checking it out if you’re looking for a mindful approach to ecological well-being.

3. Adimay by Aditi Mayer

Adimay was one of the first sustainable fashion blogs that I followed when I was just starting this journey. Aditi uses her platform to explore the intersection between “style, sustainability, and social justice” with beautiful photographs and inquisitive writing.

When I was first starting out, there weren’t a lot of Asian voices in the space so I found a lot of inspiration through her content. I love that she frequently features South Asian brands and dives into different approaches to sustainable fashion. It was through her blog that I discovered the idea of circularity and how it applied to the fashion industry. 

4. Thrifts and Tangles

If you’re looking for a more casual and traditional approach to sustainable fashion blogging, I recommend that you check out Thrifts and Tangles by Tyler! Her blog covers a variety of topics” from money to fashion, and colonization to blogging. Her tone of voice is typically quite light and I love the transparency behind her blog posts that talk about influencer rates. Of the blogs that we’ve covered so far, hers is also by far the most active.

5. Conscious Life & Style

Conscious Life and Style is a comprehensive fashion and lifestyle blog for more mindful living. Sustainable fashion can be very overwhelming when you’re just starting out but this blog makes it easy for beginners to take concrete steps to more sustainable living. They feature a plethora of guides and hacks and even have a podcast so that you can take the learning on the go.

These five blogs are only a starting point. If you’re serious about learning more about sustainable fashion or sustainability, I highly recommend that you take your education off the blogosphere and consider consuming longer pieces of content as well. For more direction on where to start, here are some lists of books, podcasts, movies that you can check out.

It’s no secret that thrift shopping is my favorite approach to sustainable fashion. The garments tend to be cheaper, higher quality, and more unique than what you might find at a conventional fast-fashion retailer.

While there are some garments that are harder to thrift (intimates, swimwear, socks, etc), the majority of our everyday clothes can (and should be) purchased secondhand. Here are 8 pieces of clothing that you should always thrift over buying new.

1. Denim

Is it just me, or are jeans unnecessarily expensive? Opt to purchase your denim jeans and jackets secondhand at a fraction of the retail price instead! 

Vintage denim tends to be higher quality and therefore will last for a longer period of time. Additionally, depending on the material and amount of wear, the fading in color can also be a unique stylistic choice!

Denim is one of the most environmentally taxing garments to manufacture. It takes about 1800 gallons of water just to create one pair of denim jeans, so by purchasing these secondhand, you can help to decrease the environmental impact of fashion and save money at the same time!

2. Scarves

Ah, vintage scarves…soft, silky, and saturated…what’s not to love?

Scarves are a great way to spice up any outfit and vintage scarves in particular, tend to be the best of the bunch. Scarves have gained a lot of popularity this summer with their versatility and are a simple way to change up the entire vibe of an outfit. 

3. Outerwear

I always buy my outerwear secondhand. These heavy garments are expensive to purchase new and because they’re usually well constructed, purchasing them secondhand is almost always a safe bet. 

4. Trendy Clothes

The thing about fashion is that it’s cyclical. Trends of the past will inevitably make their way back and right now, we’re seeing a huge resurgence of 90s and 00s fashion.

The thing about trendy clothes though, is that they’ll probably cycle out in a few years, so unless you plan on incorporating these items into your style permanently, it makes little sense to spend your money on them.

I get it though. Sometimes, we just want to try the latest fashion thing out and that’s okay.

Purchasing these trendy items secondhand is a great alternative to buying them from a fast-fashion retailer. You can still have fun and explore your creativity/style, but the negative environmental and financial impact will be lessened.

5. Work Clothing

While the line between what’s work-appropriate and what isn’t has softened quite a bit because of the pandemic, there are still some clear markers of professional dress.

If your professional closet is dramatically different from your personal one, consider shopping for it at a thrift shop. Thrift shops always stock an abundance of fancy blouses, shirts, slacks, and dresses so it can be a fun way of switching up your professional look.

6. Sweaters & Knits

Looking for a merino wool sweater or cashmere cardigan this season? Try shopping for it at a thrift store! The best thing about shopping secondhand is that you can find high-quality garments at cheap prices. Keep in mind that sweaters and knits can hold on to stains and smells for longer though, so be extra careful when making your purchases!

7. Kids’ Clothes

I can’t speak from personal experience, but a plethora of mommy bloggers swear by this. Children grow incredibly quickly and a smart way to decrease the costs of shopping for them is by thrifting their clothes instead.

8. Bags

Again, you can find quality bags for much cheaper prices if you buy them at thrift shops. Just double-check for any tears in the material and that the zippers roll smoothly. Also, check that the handles are sturdy because the last thing you want is to have the contents of your bag go spilling everywhere.

What are some garments that you always choose to buy at thrift stores over buying new? Have you had any experiences with buying these clothing items secondhand?

First off, there is no ethical consumption under capitalism, but that does not absolve us from trying to do our best. Sustainable fashion has become a huge buzzword these past few years, leading to discussions about what it is and ongoing arguments about how we as consumers can best reduce the negative environmental and social impact that our closets may have.

Sarah Chuck has outlined 6 paths to slow fashion–all of which emphasize a more intentional approach to fashion and second to shopping my own closet, purchasing secondhand garments has been my favorite approach.

So, what is secondhand shopping?

Secondhand shopping (sometimes further broken down in thrifting vs shopping curated styles) is exactly what it sounds like–shopping used or preloved goods (clothing in this case).

While each approach to sustainable fashion has its own pros and cons, here are 7 reasons why secondhand shopping is my preferred approach to sustainable fashion (at least when it comes to acquiring new garments).

1. Smaller Environmental & Social Impact

This is a sustainability blog after all…Here are 3 ways that shopping secondhand can help reduce the negative environmental and social impact of the fashion industry:

1. Save Resources: the items that you purchase secondhand already exist and therefore, no additional resources are needed for production.

2. Impact Market Practices: by demonstrating to the market that there is a decreased demand for new items, manufacturers are pressured to produce fewer of these new garments in large quantities

3. Reduce Waste: by purchasing from secondhand shops, you save existing garments from the landfill; this reduces waste and methane emissions produced from rotting piles of trash.

Save Resources: the items that you purchase secondhand already exist and therefore, no additional resources are needed for production.

Impact Market Practices: by demonstrating to the market that there is a decreased demand for new items, manufacturers are pressured to produce fewer of these new garments in large quantities

Reduce Waste: by purchasing from secondhand shops, you save existing garments from the landfill; this reduces waste and methane emissions produced from rotting piles of trash.

2. Save Money 

Is there anyone who doesn’t like to save money? Shopping secondhand can help you save a bunch of cash. Even if the garment that you purchase is new-with-tags (meaning that it was pre-owned but never worn/never had its store tags cut), it’ll likely be listed at a discounted price. Additionally, when you purchase true vintage garments, they’ll likely be better constructed and therefore last you longer (aka, you’ll save money by purchasing less in the long run).

3. Unique Products & Luxury Goods

One of fast fashion’s signatures is their use of cut-and-paste styles in different colors and sizes. Shopping secondhand, on the other hand, presents a mish-mash of different offerings. Because secondhand shops source their goods from a variety of clientele, you’re more likely to find unique offerings and luxury goods.

4. Community Building

This comes in two flavors: community building via supporting small businesses and via connecting with like-minded individuals

When you purchase secondhand garments from within your local community, you help small resellers build their businesses and make a living. In turn, they spend that money on more small businesses and this eventually builds a stronger and more reliant local economy.

Shopping secondhand is an intensely personal process. When scouting new items, it’s easy to spark up conversations with sellers or like-minded buyers which leads to long-lasting connections in the future. Additionally, with the advent of social media, sharing your secondhand purchases can be a great way to bond with others over a collective passion for this approach to sustainable fashion.

5. Discover New Styles/Discover Your Personal Style

The magic of secondhand shopping is that because the garments are (typically) cheaper and styles are so varied, it really is a great opening for trying new styles. Intrigued by a garment that clashes with your style? Why not try it anyway? 

Purchasing eccentric and unconventional garments stretches your creativity and presents new ideas for how to creatively style your garments in the future. This serves as inspiration for “shopping your closet” and ultimately reduces the amount that you purchase.

Furthermore, if you buy something out of the norm and find that it makes you comfortable, that move was just further confirmation of what your personal style is.

6. Support A Good Cause (Sometimes)

A fair proportion of the secondhand shops in the Global North (where I assume most of my readers reside) give back in the form of charity. Just make sure to do your research on where these shops are giving back to and whether or not the operation is credible.

7. Changes Your Perspective On Fashion (and Life)

One of the biggest things that I’ve learned from shopping secondhand is how to slow down and reflect on whether or not a garment is for me. Secondhand shopping pushes you to narrow in on what you like in a garment/style/fashion rather than what mainstream media and marketers say that you should like and I think that recognition is an important first step to a more mindful approach to consumption.

Moreover, I’ve found that secondhand shopping and sustainable fashion has also been a gateway to more mindful living as a whole. Because I’m more reflective about my approach to fashion, that same mindset has slowly spilled over into other aspects of my life (diet, movement, communication, etc).

Of course, it is also possible to shop so much secondhand clothing that it’s no longer sustainable (looking at all you thrift haulers out there) but for the most part, secondhand shopping provides an accessible and unique approach to sustainable fashion. What are your thoughts on secondhand shopping? What are some things that you love about it?

I’ve been in Taiwan for almost a year now and while I don’t think that you necessarily need to stay in a place for that long in order to get to know it well, staying at a place for a longer period of time, let’s say 3-6 months, definitely has its benefits.

What Is Slow Travel?

Slow travel is an intentional approach to travel that includes staying at a specific destination for a longer period of time. It prioritizes connection and experiences rather than seeing a place solely for the purpose of saying that you’ve been there.

Have you ever taken a trip with an itinerary so packed that ironically, you needed a mini staycation at home afterward just to unwind and relax? Yeah, well, slow travel suggests an alternative to that.

Slow travel literally means slowing down the pace at which you’re traveling. So for example, if you’re visiting a city that would normally take one day to explore, maybe you choose to stay there for an entire week instead. Or maybe a traditional two-week itinerary through Europe can be extended for six months.

I know that slow travel is often associated with additional monetary and time-related privileges, but we’ll address that in another blog post.

In today’s post, we’ll talk about 7 reasons why you should give slow travel a chance.

1. Connect More

Slow travel allows you to stay in a place for long enough to fully understand local culture, customs, and traditions. When you’re able to slow down and set a routine in your new location, you can prioritize living like a local and experience all the little things that come along with it.

2. Smaller Environmental Impact

Slow travel is a more sustainable way to travel. When you consciously choose to stay in one place for a longer period of time, you eliminate the emissions associated with jetting back and forth between places. Not to mention, if you’re in an area with multiple countries nearby, slow travel gives you the option to take slower (and more sustainable) forms of transportation (i.e. train or bus) instead of taking a traditional flight.

3. Smaller Social Impact

Tourism is great but sometimes it can be pretty detrimental for local communities. Whether it’s the slow degradation of local values and customs or inhabitants being priced out of their own cities, the influx of outside influence can potentially have a negative impact on local communities.

With slow travel, you get to know a place and the people that live there more intimately. The money that you bring in gives back to the local community (rather than the large, extractive businesses in the region), and the negative impact of your stay is decreased.

4. Relaxation

Slow travel gives you the chance to establish a routine and relax with the slower pace of life. Rather than rushing from one destination to another and then having to jet to another city immediately afterward, you can better space your adventures out. Furthermore, slow travel gives you the luxury of taking days off from exploring without the fear of missing out. When you’re only given a few days or weeks as with traditional travel, you feel like you need to cram everything in and take advantage of the time you’re there. With slow travel, you know that there’s time for you to explore all those destinations and to even take some rest days for yourself. 

5. Meet People And Actually Get To Know Them

One of the most challenging parts of traditional travel is that you meet people and within a few days, they’re gone. You rarely get the opportunity to develop long-lasting, deep connections. Alternatively, when you travel slowly, you can actually take the time to get to know someone and form life-long friends instead.

6. Save Money

Contrary to popular belief, slow travel can actually save you money. Slow travel gives you the opportunity to negotiate discounted prices for longer stays, save money by shopping and cooking like a local (rather than dining out all the time), and strategically plan your visits to attractions when prices are discounted.

7. Personal Growth 

Travel, in general, is great for personal growth but slow travel, in particular, gives you that time to process and reflect on your experience when you are still in it. You learn to really get to know yourself in the most spontaneous situations and how you can show up each day as a better version of yourself.

What are your thoughts on slow travel? Are you a fan of it or do you prefer traditional travel? Share your feelings in the comments down below!

It’s officially autumn and in honor of this transitional season, I’ll be sharing 12 outfits from sustainable sources grouped in accordance with the three months of fall.

The majority of these outfits were created from old fast-fashion pieces that I bought years ago (because the most sustainable thing you can do is to keep wearing your old clothes) but I also threw a few secondhand pieces and newer pieces from sustainable brands into the mix.

One thing that you’ll notice about these outfits is that I reuse a lot of the individual pieces. Again, when it comes to sustainability, we should ideally be wearing the same clothes over and over until they’re worn out.

September Outfits

September marks the start of the season and despite ongoing hot afternoons, we’re greeted with shorter days and chillier evenings.

Outfit 1

In this first look, I’m sporting mauve shorts, a white button-down, and a knitted cardigan. The outfit blends traditional summer garments like these shorts with more fall-appropriate pieces like the long-sleeved top. Adding a light, textured cardigan provides dimension to the outfit and also functions as an additional layer for when it gets colder in the evening.

White Blouse, Secondhand from 2nd Street Taiwan
Knitted Cardigan, Old Fast Fashion 2016
Mauve Shorts, Secondhand from 2nd Street Taiwan

Outfit 2

Look number 2 highlights one of the pieces that I wore all summer: the pastel green, floral dress. I chose to layer another pastel green button-down on top to keep the look cohesive but also autumn-appropriate. A big part of sustainable fashion is making use of the garments that you already own so throughout this lookbook, you’ll see me restyling the same articles of clothing into different outfit combinations that match the changing temperatures.

Green Floral Dress, Secondhand from 2nd Street Taiwan
Green Button-Down, Old Fast Fashion 2016

Outfit 3

Look number 3 plays with pattern mixing. I’ve chosen to layer a black and white striped skirt over a black, turtleneck mini dress and then added another sheer, plaid layer on top of that. The color black is a unifying component of this look and the darker colors signify a shift into a colder season.

Black Turtleneck Dress, Old Fast Fashion 2016
Black and White Skirt, Old Fast Fashion 2017
Sheer Plaid Button-Down, Secondhand from 2nd Street Taiwan

Outfit 4

Look number 4 clearly showcases summer styles, colors, and patterns, but layered in a way that works for dropping temperatures. I’ve added a dusty rose turtleneck from Organic Basics under this floral yellow wrap dress for a look that is still playful and light, but clearly signifies that it’s no longer the dog days of summer. The color of the turtleneck plays off the flowers in the dress and further emphasizes the floral print.

Dusty Rose Turtleneck, Organic Basics
Yellow Floral Wrap Dress, Old Fast Fashion 2018

October Outfits

To me, October really is the spirit of autumn distilled into one month. It starts off with t-shirt appropriate weather but ends sometimes even with snowfall.

Outfit 5

Outfit number 5 again plays with the idea of transitioning a traditional summer look into something that can be worn for autumn. I’ve layered a cropped black turtleneck shirt under this long, blue and white, corset dress for a simple autumn look that can be worn during the early days of October.

Black Cropped Turtleneck Top, Old Fast Fashion 2016
Blue & White Floral Dress, Secondhand

Outfit 6

It’s finally long pants season! Look number 6 highlights these flared blue overalls. I picked them up last spring but alas, didn’t have much of a chance to wear them out because we’ve been in lockdown for almost the entirety of summer. I wore them over a powder blue leotard from Hara and then brought back that white button-down shirt from the September outfits. This look features a baggy silhouette that I find comforting for the cooler seasons.

Powder Blue Bumi Leotard, Hara The Label
White Blouse, Secondhand from 2nd Street Taiwan
Blue Flare Jeans, Secondhand from 2nd Street Taiwan

Outfit 7

A technique that you’ll see me use across many of these looks is the use of the color black to make a traditionally summery outfit into something moody for the autumn season. Outfit number 7 is a prime example of this. I’ve layered a gingham skirt (I call this my picnic skirt) over the black, turtleneck, mini-dress from the September outfit and then added another sheer black cardigan on top. This look juxtaposes a light and fun picnic skirt against edgy black pieces.

Gingham Picnic Skirt, Secondhand from 2nd Street Taiwan
Black Mini Dress, Old Fast Fashion 2016
Black Cardigan, Old Fast Fashion 2017

October 8

The final look for October again plays with the ideas of pattern mixing and layering. This time, I chose to wear the pastel green floral dress over a black, cropped turtleneck and then layered the black and white striped skirt over the outfit. Look number 8 really showcases the green dress and is a reflection of this month as a whole. It references the bright, fun patterns of summer, but pulls that energy into a more grounded and practical outfit.

Black Cropped Turtleneck Top, Old Fast Fashion 2016
Green Floral Dress, Secondhand from 2nd Street Taiwan
Black and White Striped Skirt, Old Fast Fashion 2017

November Outfits

To me, November is always the precursor to a flashy holiday season. It’s a month of grounding, warmth, restoration, and family, before the extravagance of December.

Outfit 9

For outfit number 9, I’ve layered the blue and white corset dress over the black mini dress and then added the long cardigan on top. The long layers and flowy silhouette are extremely comfortable and provide a sense of security in this season.

Black Mini Dress, Old Fast Fashion 2016
Blue & White Floral Dress, Secondhand
Knitted Cardigan, Old Fast Fashion 2016

Outfit 10

Ah, pattern mixing again. I really love this technique–can you tell? I’ve played with the same idea of mixing black with the picnic skirt but then added a little of an academic flare with this oversized plaid blazer. Although the colors are extremely different, the pattern mixing in outfit 10 still works because both patterns are part of the checkered family.

Black Cropped Turtleneck Top, Old Fast Fashion 2016
Gingham Picnic Skirt, Secondhand from 2nd Street Taiwan
Oversized Plaid Blazer, Secondhand

Outfit 11

Outfit 11 is a basic but elegant late autumn look. I layered the dusty rose organic basics turtleneck under a simple black tank top and then wore a white and black striped skirt on the bottom. This silhouette is a classic one for late fall and you can easily replicate this look with a thicker turtleneck underneath or another cardigan over it.

Black Tank Top, Old Fast Fashion 2017
Dusty Rose Turtleneck, Organic Basics

Outfit 12

The best thing about loose, wide-legged pants is that you can basically layer them over anything. I chose to wear these over the black minidress and then added the sheer, plaid button-down for an edgy element of movement. This look is a little more masculine than what I typically wear but I actually quite enjoy it.

Black Mini Dress, Old Fast Fashion 2016
Blue Flare Jeans, Secondhand from 2nd Street Taiwan
Sheer Plaid Button-Down, Secondhand from 2nd Street Taiwan

There you have it–12 looks for the autumn season. Thank you so much for watching until now. Please let me know which look was your favorite and what techniques you use to carry some of your favorite summer pieces into the cooler season.

Autumn is in full swing and I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for cozy season. One of my favorite things to do when the temperature drops, is to snuggle under a blanket and watch a thoughtful documentary. Here are 5 films on sustainability for you to watch this season.

1. The Machinists

The Machinists is a 2012 British documentary film that follows the personal stories of three female garment workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Rather than sensationalizing the disasters that have occurred in the garment industry, this documentary takes a humanistic approach and explores the human cost of western high street fashion. 

We often hear broad statements about how the fashion industry exploits labor in the global south and its negative impacts on the environment, but rarely do we hear from that labor themselves. This documentary amplifies the voices of those who get the short end of the stick and sheds light on what an everyday lived reality is like for them. I do think that it’s important to note this documentary was created in 2012 and the garment industry in Bangladesh specifically, has put new labor laws and regulations in place. 

2. Udita (Arise)

Udita, which means “arise,” is a documentary that follows the protests for better working conditions after the Rana Plaza collapse in 2013. This film follows five years in the lives of the women leading grassroots efforts to secure fair working conditions for garment workers in Bangladesh and provides insight into the strength and determination required for small organizations to fight against global industry.

The entire film is up on youtube! Watch it here.

3. Honeyland

Moving away from fashion now, Honeyland covers the story of North Macedonian beekeepers and their message about conservation. The film follows a woman as she utilizes ancient beekeeping traditions to cultivate honey and the challenges that she comes across when disruptive new neighbors try to do the same but disregard her wisdom and advice. Honeyland not only sheds light on the significance of nature conservation but also demonstrates how our relationship with nature also mirrors our interpersonal relationships and our relationship with human life.

4. Inhabitants: An Indigenous Perspective

This documentary follows five North American tribes across diverse American bioregions as they work to restore traditional land stewardship practices. It discusses the significance of ancient indigenous wisdom as it pertains to our Earth and how centuries of exploitation and colonization have played a part in our current climate crisis. Inhabitants: An Indigenous Perspective is a reminder of how indigenous communities have always been leaders in land management and why we must center their stories and practices in the face of a changing climate.

5. 2040

Climate anxiety is something that we’re all familiar with but 2040 provides a positive reminder that despite our current climate situation, the future remains hopeful if we take actionable steps now. This 2019 documentary highlights the potential effects of climate change over the next 20 years and what inventions and initiatives that exist today can do to reverse those effects. The film is also accompanied by a website and online community that provides individual and community-based action plans that we can adopt for a safer, cleaner, and more equitable future.

Above are 5 of the most insightful films on sustainability. For similar articles, please reference:

20 Sustainable Fashion Resources

Top 8 Books on Sustainable Fashion

Top 8 Books on Sustainability

Top 8 Podcasts on Sustainability

As climate anxiety grows, more and more consumers are taking direct action by making adjustments to the way that they live. Whether it’s through making low-waste swaps or actively choosing to invest in eco-friendly technology, the everyday consumer is now more conscious of the impact that their buying power can have.

One of the most helpful tools in this shift has been technology. With the development of apps that can help us with anything from reducing food waste to tracking our carbon emissions, living more sustainably is truly a simple touch or scroll away.

Last year, I covered 8 Sustainable Living Apps but since then, the market has grown exponentially. Here are 5 new apps that make sustainable living easier.

1. 30 Wears

Because this is primarily a sustainable fashion blog, let’s start with this sector. Everyone knows that the most sustainable thing to do in terms of fashion is to rewear your clothes. 

Rather than purchasing new items, you can decrease the negative environmental impact of the fashion industry by extending the lifespan of your existing garments. It’s thought that on average, it takes 30 wears of a piece of clothing to work off its emissions from manufacturing. 

This app was inspired by Olivia Firth’s 30 wears campaign a few years back and takes monitoring garment use to a new dimension. Gone are the days of manual tracking; there’s an app for that now!

30Wears is a relatively simple app that makes digital tracking a breeze. You simply take photos of your clothes, upload them, and tag them every time you wear them. This community-driven app also offers some fun fashion facts to make the process educational.

Additionally, Wear Me 30 Times is a garment tracking app created by Maakola in conjunction with Genuine Way. The premise is similar but users can only upload garments from specific partner catalogs. While I think this app is currently extremely limited in functionality and has a clear bias towards working with specific brands, it could be an interesting app to keep on your radar as they expand their partnership program.

2. Ailuna

Habits are at the core of everything we do. It’s thought that 40% of our daily actions are run by habits alone so if we can begin to shift them to support more sustainable living patterns, then we create bigger, and more longer-lasting impact.

Ailuna is an app backed by behavioral science that helps you develop habits that benefit both you and the planet. It encourages you to set green goals by embracing zero waste and low carbon habits so you can track your positive impact as you go. Each habit is designed as a dare that lasts a week in length and new dares are released every month. If you’re a fan of games, tracking, and challenges, this app is a fun and interactive way to engage small sustainable actions that accumulate to make large differences.

3. JouleBug

This app is similar to Ailuna in that it encourages individuals to take small daily actions for long-term impact. This app delivers practical tips and strategies for reducing your environmental footprint and allows users to participate in fun activities and challenges to enforce a more sustainable way of living. The best thing about this app is that it encourages corporations and organizations to sign up and allows employers to build team morale while making a positive environmental impact.

4. My Plastic Diary

I recently participated in Plastic Free July for the first time and let me tell you, one of the hardest parts was keeping track of all the plastic that I inadvertently used. My Plastic Diary app helps you record single-use plastic consumption and shows you the breakdown of the plastics that are present in your daily life. This app then takes things one step further and offers helpful tips for reducing your reliance on plastic, and gives you rewards for your progress. If you respond well to positive reinforcement, this app is one to check out!

5. Oroeco

In order to ensure that we’re actually living more sustainably, we need to be able to measure the actions that we’re taking. Oroeco does just that. Oroeco is one of the longest-standing carbon footprint trackers on the market. It covers multiple life activities (eating, living, transportation, just to name a few) and allows you to better understand your lifestyle’s environmental impact.

Have you ever used any of these apps? Do you use technology to help you reach your sustainable living goals? Please share your thoughts down below!

Why do we say that we hate work and need time away from work, but continue to throw ourselves into more work when free time is presented? Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about work-life balance and specifically, on why free time feels so uncomfortable.

A typical schedule for me looks like this:

8:30 am – wake up, check emails in bed
9:00 am – begin working for a digital marketing agency
10:00 am – scarf down breakfast and coffee as I continue to work
12:00 pm – lunch
12:30 pm – begin working on additional side gigs and paid projects
1:30 pm – snack and YouTube break
2:00 pm – continue designing websites, writing newsletters, or drafting editorial calendars
3:00 pm – afternoon walk
4:00 pm – perform mundane work-related tasks (invoicing, social media scheduling, time tracking)
6:00 pm – dinner & YouTube break
7:00 pm – begin working on my personal projects: alternating between engaging on social media, writing captions, editing photos, editing videos, shooting videos, etc
11:00 pm – yoga and work out
12:00 am – post & engage on social media (I sometimes skip this and go straight to sleep)
1:00 am – sleep

As you can tell, there’s very little that’s not oriented towards work. 

I purposely stack my agenda so that every item is optimized for productivity. If it’s not something that will help me pay my bills or a side hustle that I’m hoping to supplement my income with, it’s something that I’ve deemed important enough for my *physical* wellbeing (eating food, exercising, etc).

But as I followed this schedule day in and day out for almost three years, I began to burn out. I broke down on a weekly basis and this eventually led me to question why I chose to live this way. After all, it’s not as if I couldn’t afford to cut some of this work out. 

I took August to reflect and actively rest and ultimately, it led me to the conclusion that my propensity for overwork stems from fear and guilt.

For me, the privilege of leisure time is the ultimate freedom: to be in a safe and secure enough position to work a set number of hours (or not work at all) and to have excess time to pursue hobbies and connections that fall to the wayside when basic needs are not met.

However, if you look closely at it, the majority of people in the middle class and up already have some version of this privilege. But recognizing that triggers fear and guilt, which then leads to a rejection of that free time and into a repeated cycle of overwork.

Overwork -> Burnout -> Fear of Nonwork -> Overwork

This is because claiming your free time is scary; it asks you to take agency over your own life and to question everything that you’ve ever known about your way of living. 

If you choose to work your way through life, that responsibility is on somebody else: it’s on society, it’s on the corporation, it’s on hustle culture. Alternatively, if you choose to spend your time leisurely and it doesn’t lead to what you envisioned, then ultimately, that’s on you; any failures and disappointments are solely yours to claim.

Simultaneously, there’s this conversation around guilt. A lot of us feel guilty when we have free time because it’s as if to have that free time and not use it for the betterment of society, means that you’re a bad human. If you choose to spend that free time selfishly for your own joy, rather than to use it to work on a project for the greater good, then you’re not taking advantage of the time, space, and opportunities that so many others are not given.

These negative emotions trigger a cycle of overwork and burnout, which serves nobody. To do our deepest work and to fully do impactful, meaningful, good work requires free time and by extension, active rest.

Free time and deep rest are absolutely necessary and they allow us to fully show up when we are at work. 

After recognizing these motivators behind my tendency towards overwork, I’m slowly coming to the understanding that claiming my free time and using it to rest is in fact, not selfish. In actively committing to saying “no” to unproductive work, and “yes” to active rest, I can unselfishly commit myself to fully showing up for the meaningful projects that actually do make a difference.

A few acknowledgments in the discussion of this topic:

While fear and guilt are the primary motivators that lead to this cycle of overwork, I think it’s also important to acknowledge that all of this is operating against a backdrop of a larger capitalistic society in which human worth is tied in with productivity.

Additionally, to even be in a position to talk about this conversation is an extremely privileged one but I think that these conversations do need to happen and that is why I’m writing this article.

Whether you’re preparing specifically for Second Hand September or are hoping to add more secondhand finds to your closet in general, online thrifting platforms are some of the most convenient ways to purchase secondhand garments at the moment.

Traditional in-store thrifting (especially if you shop at small, locally-owned stores) is always a great way to get secondhand digs, but if you’re concerned about surging delta cases or simply don’t have the energy to leave the house, thrifting garments online can be a more efficient and targeted means of shopping.

We’ve already covered popular platforms like ThredUp, Poshmark, and the RealReal in part 1 of this installment so in this article, we’re going to dive deeper into more specific and niche online thrifting platforms. Without further ado, here are 8 more online thrifting platforms for secondhand fashion.

1. Swap

Swap is an online consignment retailer that features fashion for all people. They were created in 2013 and are based out of Downers Grove, IL with offices in Chicago and Helsinki, Finland.

Pros:

• Large selection of clothes across all genres

• Cheap finds (I found a BCBGMaxazria bikini top for just $10)

• Smoothing shopping experience: website is easy to navigate & filters are easy to put in place

Large selection of clothes across all genres

Cheap finds (I found a BCBGMaxazria bikini top for just $10)

Smoothing shopping experience: website is easy to navigate & filters are easy to put in place

Cons:

• Negative feedback on the selling process (items getting lost, poor customer service)

• Variable item quality (just make sure that you’re setting the filter for “new with tags” or “like new” quality and it should work out)

Negative feedback on the selling process (items getting lost, poor customer service)

Variable item quality (just make sure that you’re setting the filter for “new with tags” or “like new” quality and it should work out)

2. Bonanza

Bonanza is an online marketplace that highlights new and secondhand fashion, home, gardening, and art items. They put sellers at the forefront and and really encourage the development of long-term relationships between buyers and sellers.

Pros:

• Best platform for sellers; easy to navigate for buyers

• Great support and communication

Best platform for sellers; easy to navigate for buyers

Great support and communication

Cons:

• Difficult to tell if an item is new or secondhand

• Because they put independent sellers at the forefront, there’s less uniformity across policies; make sure to read independent store policies before buying

Difficult to tell if an item is new or secondhand

Because they put independent sellers at the forefront, there’s less uniformity across policies; make sure to read independent store policies before buying

3. Tradesy

Tradesy is an online consignment shop for luxury goods. They authenticate every item that is listed on their platform and you can shop for clothing, bags, shoes, accessories, and more.

Pros: 

• Every item is authenticated

• Streamlined shopping experience

• Great customer service

• Working towards more equity and sustainability in terms of how they function

Every item is authenticated

Streamlined shopping experience

Great customer service

Working towards more equity and sustainability in terms of how they function

Cons:

• Only luxury items

Only luxury items

4. Ruby Lane

Ruby Lane is one of the best platforms for vintage lovers. They were founded in 1998 and carry not only vintage fashion, but art, jewelry, decor, and collectibles as well. 

Pros:

• Extremely unique vintage finds. Think Etsy but even more targeted towards antiques and vintage articles.

• “Lanebook” section allows buyers to filter by aesthetic or theme

• Highlights independent shops and sellers

Extremely unique vintage finds. Think Etsy but even more targeted towards antiques and vintage articles.

“Lanebook” section allows buyers to filter by aesthetic or theme

Highlights independent shops and sellers

Cons:

• There are a lot of listings and it can be difficult to sort through

• Inconsistent reviews on customer service and communication

• Takes a large cut from sellers

There are a lot of listings and it can be difficult to sort through

Inconsistent reviews on customer service and communication

Takes a large cut from sellers

5. Vestiaire Collective

If you’re into luxury items, Vestiaire Collective is for you. This online marketplace first launched in Paris in 2009 but has since expanded to New York, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Berlin. This shopping platform mostly functions as an app but also has desktop browsing capabilities.

Pros:

• Every item is authenticated by experts

• Large selection of luxury items

• Notification settings to track items you’re interested in

• Option to buy locally to reduce shipping emissions

Every item is authenticated by experts

Large selection of luxury items

Notification settings to track items you’re interested in

Option to buy locally to reduce shipping emissions

Cons:

• They only sell luxury items

• Customer service and communication can be spotty

• Some negative customer reviews about goods not matching descriptions 

They only sell luxury items

Customer service and communication can be spotty

Some negative customer reviews about goods not matching descriptions 

One of the trickiest parts about purchasing secondhand is the variability in quality. You don’t always know what you’re getting and sometimes an item will have defects that you don’t notice until after you purchase it. This applies doubly to online thrifting.

Small online thrifting platforms don’t always have the bandwidth to check every single listing in detail and so it’s up to you as a consumer to be inquisitive about your potential purchases. 

Regardless of the potential downsides, I still think that shopping online for secondhand garments can be a great way to affordably build up a more sustainable wardrobe. Have you ever used any of these platforms before? What were your thoughts?

Sustainability and inclusive sizing are two of fashion’s biggest problems. As intersectional conversations around social justice, climate justice, and inclusivity have taken center stage in the media these past few years, consumers have begun to demand more from their go-to brands. Whether that’s asking for a larger range of sizes to fit more body types or completely boycotting fast fashion brands in favor of slowly produced designs, consumers are no longer accepting sub-standard products or company values.

Before we start, let’s define a few things…

What is “sustainable fashion”?

On a personal level, sustainable fashion can take on multiple different identities. Other than the traditional understanding of shopping for sustainably made clothes, a sustainable wardrobe can also consist of items that you’ve thrifted, swapped, or upcycled (more here). For the purpose of this article, “sustainable fashion” will refer to sustainably produced new garments.

“Sustainable fashion is a movement and process of fostering change to fashion products and the fashion system towards greater ecological integrity and social justice. Sustainable fashion concerns more than just addressing fashion textiles or products. It addresses the whole system of how clothing is produced, who produced it, and how long the lifespan of a product is before it reaches a landfill. This means dealing with interdependent social, cultural, ecological, and financial systems.” (source)

Because every step of production needs to be sustainable in order for a garment to be “sustainable fashion,” it is highly unlikely that there is a single brand out there that is meeting all the requirements. It’s incredibly difficult for a corporation to track every single step along the production line and even more difficult to ensure that their partners maintain the standards that they say they do.

Now, what makes fashion size-inclusive?

Fashion is size-inclusive when a single collection makes it a priority to sell the same design in all size ranges. As opposed to collections that separate plus offerings from straight size (sizes 0-14), size-inclusive stores will have the same styles in a size 2 and in a size 32.

So, these are two of conventional fashion’s biggest concerns and they’re not mutually exclusive.

Why does sustainable fashion have such a big size inclusivity problem then?

The answer is in the fatphobic nature of fashion. 

American women who wear clothing sizes 14+ account for 68% of all shoppers (source); they make up the majority of consumers and yet fashion brands (including sustainable ones) choose to ignore this fact. Despite the obvious financial benefits of tapping into this $1.1 billion market, brands choose to produce a smaller range of sizes, citing production costs as the reason behind the business decision. When the numbers truly don’t add up, we have to take a deeper look at the inherent fatphobic nature of the fashion industry.

Diet culture and fat-shaming have been a part of fashion forever. Clothes sell because retailers associate their products with a sexy image of what the ideal woman or ideal lifestyle looks like. Even if brands could double their profits, they choose not to extend their sizing because this would shatter the fantasy that they’ve so carefully created.

The thing is…people no longer buy into this fantasy. Brands are banking on the idea that everyone to be thin and this isn’t the case anymore. We’re seeing a rise in self-acceptance and the inclusion of people with all body types in all conversations.

When it comes to producing size-inclusive clothing, it ultimately comes down to doing what’s right. Plenty of fast fashion brands have begun to make this shift, but why are sustainable fashion brands so slow to follow suit?

Could it be that the nature of sustainable production does not mesh with size inclusivity? Is it even possible to produce size-inclusive sustainable fashion?

The answer is yes; it is possible to produce size-inclusive sustainable fashion and it is absolutely paramount that the sustainable fashion industry begins to move in that direction.

But let’s break this down a little further…

What are some of the barriers that sustainable fashion brands may come across when producing size-inclusive clothing?

Challenge 1: Fabrics for bigger bodies require more stretch and that typically requires some sort of non-biodegradable synthetic textile

Many sustainable fashion brands opt for natural fabrics because they will eventually biodegrade and leave a smaller impact on the planet. Bigger bodies, however, typically require fabrics with more ease in the way they move and unfortunately, many of the traditional stretchy and flexible fabrics require some sort of plastic-based synthetic fiber.

Challenge 2: Creating for a larger range of sizes requires more upfront investment

You cannot create clothes for bigger bodies by simply making larger versions of straight-sized patterns. In order to make sure that the fit is appropriate, brands need to adjust the pattern, hire plus-size fit models, and because plus-size bodies are also more diverse, brands will likely spend extra time on making further adjustments to the original designs.

Sustainable fashion brands typically have a smaller profit margin, and that might be one possible explanation as to why existing sustainable fashion brands are slow to extend their sizes.

Challenge 3: There’s more risk involved for both the consumer and the corporation

Plus sizing is more variable and sustainable fashion already tends to be more expensive than conventional fashion. Customers have to take a huge financial risk when buying products that may or may not fit them and brands adopt a similar risk in the case that a customer returns the product. 

The model of only creating clothing in straight sizes has been tried and tested over the course of decades but size-inclusivity is something that brands are only just now starting to consider. The framework for a size-inclusive model is relatively unexplored and this makes the entire situation riskier from a business perspective.

This ultimately comes down to how a brand defines sustainability and its willingness to incorporate these upfront costs and risks within the business model.

Sustainable fashion and size-inclusive fashion have their fair share of challenges but despite this, it is on the industry to address those difficulties, innovate, and come up with solutions that are both in environmental alignment and resonate with the demands of the majority of their consumers.

Sustainable fashion and size inclusivity must go hand in hand in the future of fashion. As new technologies develop and additional concerns are brought up, brands must shift their practices in order to remain competitive.