The “Sixers,” as they call themselves, have drawn some interesting and eco-applicable conclusions from the experiment:

[Stella] Brennan did sound ripe for some kind of fashion intervention. In a recent interview, she spoke of a rack of clothes in the back of her closet that still had the tags on them, and clothes that she has not worn in 15 years but that she cannot stand to part with, and her 72 pairs of “active” shoes (meaning those that she actively wears, not the ones still in the boxes), and a closet full of clothes for her 3-year-old daughter, and, lest she forget, a wardrobe of clothes for her dog.

“My daughter doesn’t care what she wears, and I’m turning her into a monster,” Ms. Brennan said. “We’re ruining the next generation of girls with fashion.”

And here I thought I was being hardcore by limiting myself to 10 pieces for the summer.

I like the message that refutes the idea that new always equals better, and that simple can still be stylish (as evidenced by Kate Moss’s put-together-but-basic ensemble at right).

So as I like to say: There’s always more room on the bandwagon! Join the Summer Light Challenge today — we may be a third of the way into summer already, but the last two months will surely be the toughest.

—-

(Courtesy of TheVintageSociety.com)

Whenever I travel to a new place, I always check out the local thrift store — Goodwill, Oxfam, hole-in-the-wall charity shop, you name it. Not only does your purchase raise money for a good cause, it’s the most affordable and unique place to score a souvenir, and it’s interesting to sort through what the locals have worn. (You also get major coolness points back home for being able to say “Oh, I picked this up in Argentina” or “I found this in Paris,” knowing it’s a one-of-a-kind.)

Even at home, thrifting can be a deeply satisfying way to spend an hour or two. In fact, I only ever go into a thrift shop if I have cash on me, because I know I will walk out of there with something in hand.

My favorite thrift shop is divided into women’s and men’s sections, and then organized by tops, pants, skirts/shorts, dresses, coats, accessories, and activewear. It’s also in a ritzy area that’s pretty much split between retirees and young people, so having an idea of the local demographics is helpful in knowing who’s likely donating their stuff. (Indeed, this shop has plenty of brand names, from Seven for All Mankind to Eileen Fisher.)

I love the idea of rehoming unwanted clothes. It reminds me of an animal shelter in that way — they have plenty to offer for the person who has the inclination to give a new treasure the attention it deserves.

Intimidated by the lack of organization or squicked out at the thought of wearing other people’s castoffs? Fear not. There’s one central principle in the art of thrifting, and it’s called “compromise.”

In short, enter a thrift shop with the broadest possible idea of what you’re after. It could be a beaded bracelet, a trench coat, or a clutch purse. Then head to each section and assess your options.

I find the best way to shop is to do a sweep of the entire store first, grabbing anything that catches your eye. Don’t overwhelm yourself with options — once you reach 5 or 6 items, stop and try them on before roaming unexplored territory. That way you can edit your choices as you go, and you might later discover the perfect skirt to wear with the tank top you’ve already settled on.

There are a few pieces that deserve special consideration before you buy. Touching everything and trying each item on for size is key, especially if you’re still developing your eye for determining how a garment hangs on the rack will translate when it’s hanging on your body. Inspect every inch for stains or other defects that you know you won’t be able to repair; loose threads and missing buttons are one thing, but a funky smell is quite another. White shirts and dresses in particular must be searched thoroughly; check for yellowing, food stains, and sheerness, because you won’t be able to fix those problems. Have some faith in your DIY skills, but don’t bite off more than you can chew.

You can also use thrift shops as a means of procuring cheap clothes to alter and upcycle, or even just for the thrill of a bargain It’s remarkable how your price ceiling adjusts when everything is objectively inexpensive, because I’ve been known to balk at a $25 price tag on a coat before. Yet where else can I find a well-made coat for so little?

Above all, keep an open mind. Making the mistake of adhering to too specific a treasure hunt means you won’t give a second look to items that are truly special.

—

When I first read about the Summer Light Challenge, I immediately thought to myself: “Bring it on.” The timing was perfect, as I’m not terribly inclined to overdress in the heat. But it also dovetailed with my latest preoccupation: changing priorities and how they have affected the way I approach shopping.

Full disclosure time. I’m 28 years old and I’ve been an avid shopper since high school (my mom can verify this fact – back-to-school shopping was a very big deal for me, even though I wore a uniform). Few things give me more pleasure than the smell of new clothes and the commitment of cutting the tags off a purchase. I love fashion and how it’s a manner of self-expression. Truly, under the right circumstances – a bad breakup, a new job – it can be downright transformative.

But between writing for EthicalStyle for going on two years and getting married last fall, I find lately that I’m more content with what I have instead of chasing an ever-evolving version of myself. I don’t know that I want to say that I’ve matured, but I’ve definitely become more comfortable in my own skin.

It’s certainly helped that I’m not in much of a shopping mood these days. Part of it, certainly, is that marriage makes me feel more responsible and less inclined to spend some double-digit percentage of my paycheck on clothes. But as collateral damage of the Great Recession, some of my favorite places to shop are no longer in business (most notably Martin and Osa, a brand that introduced me to soybean sweaters and the lion’s share of my polished casual basics).

I guess you could say that fashion used to be the way I demonstrated my personal evolution, and after a few years of tinkering with it, I’m no in a place where I don’t feel I need to reinvent myself every three months. Is it possible I’ve evolved to a point where I am actually happy with how I look?

I remember being in college and feeling like this day would never come. I would grab my lower belly and lament how poochy I was, despite being an athletic size six. I would change my hair color with my mood, from Punky Bleach’s banana yellow to Clairol’s simmering dark espresso. I bought way too many clothes at H&M during this era, trying out a variety of fashion styles from preppy to punky as if they were boyfriends I never took seriously.

Yet as I’ve entered my late 20s, I’ve felt myself settle down like a house into its foundations. Having seen what my body is capable of and how much my husband loves it now matter what shape it’s in, I refuse to ever again tell myself that I’m fat; in fact, I’m currently training for my first triathlon. I’ve stuck with the same shade of blonde since 2008, breaking my own personal record. And I’m comfortable with the idea of limiting my closet to ten pieces for a whole summer. Because now I know it’s not the dress that wears the woman.

My 10 pieces, clockwise from upper left:

Dark grey ruffle-front tank top from J. Crew

White v-neck tee from J. Crew

Orange and white striped nautical tank top from Martin and Osa

Black three-quarter sleeved organic cotton Henley from C&C California

Colorblocked tank dress from Crossroads, my favorite consignment shop in Los Angeles

Dressy black tunic-length tank by Vince (doubles as a dress if worn with leggings)

Oatmeal-colored vintage jersey hoodie by Splendid

Ash grey skinny jeans from a thrift shop on Lake Tahoe (only $6!)

Dark-wash trouser jeans from Martin and Osa

Khaki “Aviator” skirt with cargo details from Martin and Osa

(M.J. Prest/EthicalStyle.com)

Good morning, greenies! Over the weekend, Green by Design ran a post by yours truly on why I’ve joined the blog’s Summer Light Challenge, reducing my wardrobe to ten easy pieces for the duration of the summer. We’re at the beginning of Week 4 right now, and it’s turned out to be easier than I thought it would be.

You can read my piece here, and find out more about the challenge on the SLC’s Facebook page. If nothing else, it will inspire you to dig old favorites out of the closet!

In a recent interview posted on Anthropologie’s website, he talks about his shopping strategies and how to avoid the dreaded buyer’s remorse:

I always look for integrity. I don’t like things that have been monkeyed around with too much — or if they have been manipulated, it has to be intentional, almost ironic. I also look for things with a great patina or things that narrate the experience of where I am. …

I used to feel I needed to buy variety. It made me make choices that weren’t based on falling in love with something. The thing with found objects is you have to be open to happening upon something and responding to it. If you have too strong an agenda, you are going to force your eye into seeing things that may not be there.

Sounds right in line with our thoughts on successful thrift shopping. The point being: The secret to being a world-class shopper is selectiveness. And with enough patience and an eye for quality, anyone can become one.

Want some inspiration from those who have gone before with a small but valuable idea? Read on.

• If you’re up for a challenge, consider a small project that you can complete quickly. The idea is to choose something you can check off your list in a week or less, and then come up with something new to pursue.
• Kara interviewed a collection of her eco-loving friends and asked what they did to get their start in earth-friendly consumerism.
• Ingrain ethical style early with these eco-friendly fashion options for the under-two set. There’s a surprising number of options for infants and toddlers now with online shopping at your fingertips!
• We also profile a few of our favorite small businesses that have nurtured the seed of a good idea into a full-grown business plan. And best of all, the good word is spreading.
• Finally, for more ideas of great things coming in small packages, check out Seam Ripper, our selection of blog stories on the theme.

Everybody, at some point, figures out that all clothes are not created equal, despite the fact I made my first pair of shorts at the ripe of age of seven, it wasn’t until I was 18 at an outlet mall that I realized not all clothes are created equal. We all may begin to think about ethical style in different ways and at different times, but I’m just happy when another person discovers their own personal fashion ethics. Here are a few stories of other people’s discovery. –Kara Cook

A few years ago, I became fascinated with the concept of barefoot running and the materials and technology that go into make “barefoot” shoes. The New Yorker had an article on them and I remember scouring it and then looking for other resources and information on the barefoot phenomenon and shoes which replicated barefoot movement or the sensation of running in bare feet, like Nike Free, Vibram Five Fingers, Vivo Bare, etc. I loved the fashion sense of the Vivo Bare, all while feeling like I was doing something good for my feet with a company that was unique. Now, I want to get more of them.
–Katherine from Connecticut

When we discover the origin of where most of our modern-day clothing comes from and who is behind sewing the hem of your pants or the seams of your blouse — sweatshops in 3rd world countries with abominable working standards grossly under U.S. standards — it is rather unsettling. But what are the options to avoid supporting such a depraved system? When I was in 7th grade my mother would take me to a consignment store where I found most of my wardrobe. Fortunately for me, my classmates appreciated my vibrant wardrobe. As a young person I shopped at consignment shops to save money, but as an adult I shop at consignment shops to find vintage styles and avoid supporting the giant sweatshop machine, which is behind nearly every commercial fashion label…I save money too!
–Jenny from Texas

I was standing in a crowded, smoke filled bar… well, maybe it wasn’t quite that bad. I was at my favorite country bar when I happened to notice that most of the people on the dance floor were dancing in beautiful cowboy boots. There were a few flip-flops here and there, but most of the “true” devotees wore leather cowboy boots. In that moment I knew that I wanted to buy myself — in all my California glory — a pair of genuine cowboy boots. When I returned to California for a visit I convinced my mom to go shopping. We walked into the one western store in California and that’s when I saw them: the perfect leather boots for my line dancing ways. I knew that they were going to be an investment, but that the trade-off would be the wear I would get from them because of durable exterior and solidly constructed interior. Those boots have been dancing (or walking), ever since.
–Angelena from California

Even though I don’t think about it too much, most of my eclectic bracelets and necklaces are recycled. One of my favorite memories growing up was sitting at my grandma’s kitchen table while she poured out pile after pile of her old jewelry, telling me I could pick out whatever I wanted! Hence my jewelry box is overflowing with everything from genuine stone necklaces, to lightning bolt earrings, big bangle bracelets, and rings from the 1920′s. Those small treasures mean more to me now than ever before. My sweet grandma recently had to move into an assisted living home and her health is rapidly declining. Each time I put on a piece of her jewelry — no matter how funky or out of style — it reminds me of her and makes me thankful for family.
–Sarah from Alabama

My first encounter with ethical style wasn’t something I was looking for – or to be honest – had ever really given much thought to. I was studying in Morocco and made the obligatory trip to Fes (or Fez for you westerners). Fes is home to the famous Moroccan tanneries, a smelly and involved process to dye and craft genuine leather goods. Now Morocco wasn’t my first encounter with local artisans or even my first time seeing a craft produced from beginning to end, but the tanneries of Fes were my first view into the old world process of producing leather goods that made you feel good about the quality of leather you were purchasing and the value of buying a bag (or shoes, or jacket, or ottoman, or all of the above) that would last a lifetime. I may have bought more than one leather bag in Morocco – but they’re still getting lots of use – and will continue to carry my books, and car keys, and wallet for years to come.
–Ally from Louisiana

Ethics and shopping is something that hit close to home with me the first time I ever left the continent. It was to Ghana, West Africa for two weeks the summer after I graduated high school. I’d never been to somewhere so poor. On a trip we got an opportunity to go to the local market to shop for gifts for friends, family and supporters. The translators took us to the “tourist” market with their colorful clothing, cool and funky jewelry, beautiful batiks and many, many other things all handmade with the makers standing there selling them. Even though we knew that the prices were “jacked up” because they like to haggle and tourists don’t know the local value of things, I always felt bad in the midst of the price banter because all I could think was, “Am I really haggling over the difference between 5 and 10 dollars for this?”

Turns out, the exchange is quite fun when you realize that haggling is the people’s social time and that they would never go below what’s necessary to sustain their family. Anyway, even though I learned to haggle, I still have a tendency to overpay for things and let them think they swindled me because in the end, it could feed a whole family where they wouldn’t have been able to eat before. All this to say, I really pay attention now that I’m back in the U.S. to which stores sell fair-trade products. I have never had buyer’s remorse from single fair trade item I’ve purchased. And how often can you say that?
–Chelsea from California

The modern age teaches us rather impatience.  We are encouraged toward fast food to satiate quick-forming appetites, soundbites to cut to the chase, cheap “disposable” clothing to suit every passing whim.  Gone is a life of contemplation, appreciation for the craft of the things with which we surround ourselves.  These days, it’s practically vogue to do what I’m doing — disparaging mass production.  And really, Walmart and China may be praised today for making more things available to more people.  But “more” — more emails per minute, more food on your plate, more plastic cups per dollar — isn’t always better.  I worry about the volume our modern culture has enabled us to have has supplanted a deeper appreciation for higher things, things made, written, and crafted with thought. --world traveler and blogger Ms. Glasses

I just wanted to let you know that I loved your blog post: “A Short Guide to Successful Thrift Shopping”. I shared a link on our twitter stream (http://twitter.com/SeattleGoodwill) in hopes we can get a few more thrifters on board.

Can I get an amen?

For more inspiration, check out this article on savvy teens who have found amazing prom gowns at the charity shop.

Thrifting is the perfect solution for finding a dress most people will wear once in their lives, and the more you save on the purchase price, the more you can spend on tailoring. And is there anything more princess-y than a stunning dress with a flattering custom fit? Consider it couture on the cheap.

Intimidated by the lack of organization or squicked out at the thought of wearing other people’s castoffs? Fear not. There’s one central principle in the art of thrifting, and it’s called “compromise.”

In short, enter a thrift shop with the broadest possible idea of what you’re after. It could be a beaded bracelet, a trench coat, or a clutch purse. Then head to each section and assess your options.

Touching everything and trying each item on for size is key, especially if you’re still developing your eye for determining how a garment hangs on the rack will translate when it’s hanging on your body. Inspect every inch for stains or other defects that you know you won’t be able to repair; loose threads are one thing, but a funky smell is quite another.

Above all, keep an open mind. Making the mistake of adhering to too specific a treasure hunt means you won’t give a second look to items that are truly special, and those are most often the items you cherish forever.

” Traveling Denim ” Recording color fade for two years from Takayuki Akachi on Vimeo.

One of my favorite song quotes of all time is from Ani DiFranco’s 1991 debut album:

“I am looking for the holes
The holes in your jeans
Because I want to know
Are they worn out in the seat
Or are they worn out in the knees?”

Such a simple metaphor speaks to a life well lived. And a similar sentiment is also captured in this beautiful video by Japanese artist Takayuki Akachi, which chronicles two years in the life of a beloved pair of blue jeans. She wore them in 50 countries, documenting every rip and faded fiber. It’s a powerful testament to how your wardrobe — the longer you keep it — becomes a part of your history. Watch and learn.

(via Green by Design)