As we try to step into the winter season with our best foot (and shoes) forward, it is important to remember that keeping up with the latest fashion trends can have a bigger impact than keeping you in style.
In today’s day and age fashion trends come and go faster than you can say overconsumption.
It is harder and harder to fit into the mold of what is “in style” as the current fads are constantly changing.
Cozy winter essentials like bold chunky scarves are making their way onto the fashion scene while other brands like UGG are making a resurgence taking the loungewear scene by storm.
The UGG mini boot can be seen on the foot of fashion influencers everywhere donned in matching loungewear sets with “clean girl” aesthetic slick back buns.
The urge to fit in, to look the part influences the public to shop, shop, shop.
Now let me be clear, I love clothes as much as the next person. I love the feeling of buying something special that makes me feel beautiful or cool.
However, it is important to buy clothes that are built to last.
Fast fashion brands like Shein and Forever 21 dump out wave after wave of new products daily.
These brands are known for their sweatshop-like conditions and unethical treatment and pay toward workers.
According to Earth.org, a single Forever 21 factory worker can produce up to 700 shirts a day.
This leads to large-scale textile waste. Instead of supporting fast fashion brands to stay on trend, instead invest in timeless versatile pieces.
If you are able, support brands like Patagonia whose products are produced ethically and sustainably.
However, I recognize that many people don’t have the means to shop at upscale brands like Patagonia.
Thrifting can be a great resource for those looking to find unique pieces at an affordable price.
Thrifting is environmentally friendly and is a great way to give a new life to an old piece of clothing.
At any thrift store, no two pieces are the same. Thrifting is a great way to curate a unique sense of style for yourself without breaking the bank or hurting the environment.
As trends are recycled throughout the decades as 2000s UGGs and other brands come back into style vintage treasures can be unearthed at the thrift store.
No matter where you shop, it is important to take care of your clothes.
Boring “basics” can transform an outfit from summer to fall-appropriate.
Layering a long sleeve shirt can add texture and depth to an outfit.
Layering is functional and fashionable.
Clothes are meant to be worn. Society abides less and less by restrictive rules about when clothes are meant to be worn.
We now wear white after Labor day and layer denim on denim.
We wear what we want when we want.
Our clothes are an expression of ourselves, of our beliefs and our personalities.