We Need To Talk About… Making Smarter, More Sustainable Fashion Choices

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How often are you seduced by the sale?? Oh boy, I used to LIVE for a sale! I would proudly proclaim my fabulous, affordable, fashion find regardless of where it came from. Frankly, I probably didn’t even know where it came from. But the reality is… those “fabulous finds” were likely thrown out or donated only a few short months later, when they started to fall apart in the wash, balled up, or lost color. Not only were these purchases a waste of money since they only lasted a short time, but they are also horrible for the environment.

No joke, the other day I received a pair of pants from a popular retailer, opened the plastic bag, and was overwhelmed by a pungent chemical smell. It was truly disgusting! Despite that scent, I tried the pants on anyway and wore them around the house for a couple of hours. That’s when I started to get super itchy around my knees. I took the pants off and noticed red bumps all over my legs! What the heck were those pants made of? I’m not sure I want to know. It’s possible that even some of your favorite “reputable” brands may not be using environmentally-friendly fabrics and processes.

A Shift for Team Busbee

I shared my thoughts with Team Busbee back in 2020. After a lengthy discussion and collective agreement, we made a conscious shift toward wearing and recommending brands that are not “fast fashion”…meaning they don’t fall apart after a few washes and are made of high-quality, non-toxic fabrics. (No rashes!)

Making a shift towards sustainable fashion can seem overwhelming at first, but when you make small changes over time, it will feel much more manageable. And, you know what? It doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s just like clean eating or clean beauty… it’s never 100%, you just do your best. Simply reading the fine print and understanding fabrics and the brand behind the garments can help you make smarter, safer choices.

The Price of Fast Fashion

There is an exciting movement in fashion right now.  A shift toward sustainability. Designers and fashion houses are now paying attention to the clothing they’re putting out there, the fabrics they use, working conditions, and how fashion is affecting our planet.

We DO have a long way to go, however. The fashion industry is reportedly responsible for 10% of all carbon emissions, is the second-largest consumer of the world’s water supply, and pollutes oceans with micro-plastics. Not to mention clothing is overflowing in our landfills.

Fashion Transformation

The best fashion trend I’ve seen in a long time is a shift towards sustainability. Capsule or forever wardrobes are more and more popular. There is also a notable ‘minimalist’ movement.

In 2020, I looked at my closet and decided I was tired of buying pieces that fell apart after two or three washes, tired of donating clothing I only wore for one season, and tired of all the waste that low-quality pieces were creating. That’s when we (Team BUSBEE) made a very conscious shift toward wearing and recommending brands that are not “fast fashion.” You may have even noticed the shift? While it’s sometimes tempting to promote the latest social media ‘must-have’… it simply doesn’t align with our values anymore. We recommend high-quality pieces that will last for years, using more sustainable fabrics and manufacturing practices.

Feel Good In Your Clothes

If you are a long-term reader, you’ve heard me talking about Wardrobe Basics before. These basics are the foundation of your wardrobe, which make getting dressed every day so much easier. (We give our basics checklists free when you sign up for our newsletter here.) Instead of checking the boxes off your wardrobe basics list quickly with cheap, low-quality, fast-fashion pieces…you can take your time and invest in high-quality pieces.

The benefits are SO amazing. You will wear those pieces for years and years. You will save time and money because you don’t have to buy, buy, buy every season… And, of course,  you can also help protect the planet.

Making this shift might seem overwhelming at first, but you can start small. At first, maybe you just get curious. Ask yourself… what is this brand? What are their values? Where do they manufacture the clothing? Do they have any messaging about sustainability online?

I believe that even small changes can make a major impact!

Breaking The Cycle

Here’s a startling stat: experts say the average American consumer generates about 75 pounds of textile waste per year! We are not going to solve this issue overnight. But for now, we can try to break the cycle by educating ourselves, investing in higher-quality pieces, and supporting organizations and brands committed to sustainability in fashion.

Below, we’re sharing some of our favorite brands committed to or moving towards more sustainable practices.

Rails Eco Collection
Ba&sh
Express Conscious Edit
Reformation
DL1961
Veja
Mara Hoffman
Everlane
Vitamin A
Mango

Do you know an incredible, sustainable brand we need to highlight? Please let me know. Team Busbee is committed to this effort…a different kind of fashion transformation.

If you’d like to read more from our, We Need to Talk About Series, you can find additional thought-provoking topics here.

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