The Art of Just Start
I guess I could make this really short and merely say these two words:
Just Start
Alas, I am too wordy for that. But even I can’t really complicate this. What am I even talking about? Come in real close so we can chat.
I’ve recently had an epiphany. In the different spheres in which I occupy space, the people in my orbs have similar responses to the conversation of Ethical and Sustainable fashion goods. Let’s look at two of those spheres as a sample:
Group A: My friends and colleagues in the Fashion industry
Group B: My friends and family not in the Fashion industry
Friend/Colleague: Hey, that skirt is really nice and I like the way you styled it with your button-up. Where do you shop these days?
Me: Oh, this skirt is vintage- my great grandmother’s actually. And my blouse I purchased from (insert ethical brand). I actually made the decision to shop more purposefully and have really tried to eliminate fast fashion, and honestly, any purchases that I don’t think about thoroughly.
Group A Response: Oh, Cool. I’ve heard of quite a few brands doing stuff like that, but they are usually too minimal in style or even too expensive. Oh, but sometimes I thrift!
Group B Response: Oh, wow. I’ve been hearing more about this type of stuff. It’s like Toms, right? (Me: WRONG) I usually just don’t know where to start when it comes to shopping, especially when it comes to ethical brands, so I just do whatever is easiest and inexpensive. I have "thrifted" once before though!
See what I mean? We as a whole have the wrong perception of what ethical, sustainable, and fair trade fashion is. We assume it is:
Too expensive
Not on trend
Too hard to find
Not stylish enough
Too minimal
Those concerns are valid for some brands, but not for all.
But here is the real secret…
You don’t have to know it all. You don’t have to get it perfect. You just have to start.
Both sample conversations above had this in common- the desire to do it, but not the confidence or ability to carry it out.
I’ve found that some of us feel an unfounded guilt or shame if we can’t afford to buy all new ethically made clothing, so we just don’t even try…
Could it be you’re scared the sustainability police will be mad if you don’t go all-in ? They don’t exist…
Do you become so deflated when you imagine a life of only fair-trade coffee, organic superfoods, adopting a baby from another country, only wearing oversized Linen and Tencel garments, growing a garden, and never eating sugar again?
All of those things can be so incredible, but NO ONE is asking you to do them all.
All this girl is asking you to do is start.
Fashion is my area of expertise and has been where I’ve chosen to START so I’ll focus on that area.
Here are a few STARTer steps:
1. Next time you have the itch to shop, or saw an influencer wearing something you now want, check out a thrift store or vintage store, or, try resale sites like Poshmark, The Real Real, or Thredup
2. When you are deciding where to purchase a staple piece like jeans, a white tee, etc., Google "sustainably made jeans" or "ethically made t-shirt" and just see what you come up with. Start with a basic and see how it feels.
3. If a beloved garment is damaged, don’t replace or throw out. Try to mend. Whether you do it yourself or take it to a tailor, seamstress, or cobbler, you can give it so many more years to frolic in the sun.
4. Attend swap meets in your area or create your own clothing exchange with friends. Maybe Jane is wanting to trade that striped blouse of hers that you‘ve been eyeing…
5. Rent! If you have a special occasion or just “nothing to wear” for a weekend trip, try renting from websites like Rent the Runway and Style Lend.
* Bonus- Hire a personal stylist focused on sustainability- Liiiike me! So subtle…*
Now, you have no excuses.
All you have to do is pick one action, and start.
Sustainability is not about perfection or an end goal. It’s all about thinking more clearly and purposefully about why our purchases matter. It’s about considering those who made our clothes and the parts of our environment that are affected by what we buy.
So really, Just start.
XX,
Meghan
