Very good points! I would like to add, don’t wash your clothes after every wear. They can be used several times if you just air them over night. And wool you certainly don’t need to wash more than once per season. Washing is really quite bad for the environment, it uses a lot of water and also chemicals, and electric power. Using a dryer is also really unnecessary, it works fine to airdry, outside if possible. Another good way to buy less is to borrow clothes from friends and family! Especially if you’re going to a big do of some sort and need party clothes. There is also rental services for formal party clothes, bags and all.
@@erikabearika3249 You just hang them up on a hanger (or over the back of a chair or something) an let them hang in the room or outside. Over night or a couple of days, whatever suits you best.
Fast fashion, unethical practices will stay to get the consumer the cheap price, which is incredibly frustrating when you want to do right. I like your point of we can’t be perfectly sustainable but we can do our part. If more of are mindful of our shopping habits and companies see this.. then maybe just maybe one day they will be forced to change their ways to keep up with demand. Consumers have more power than big companies want to give us credit for 🧡🌎
Yes, I fully agree and have a very similar approach to shopping. I feel like a lot of people think in a very black and white manner when it comes to sustainability, like a brand is either fully sustainable & ethical or completely horrible - when obviously this is not how things work in real life! Just like no brand is fully sustainable, not all fast fashion is equally bad either. It matters whether you buy from ultra fast fashion like Shein, or a brand that's technically fast fashion but is actually implementing policies to improve sustainability and workers rights.
Yes, yes, yes, Val. I have come to so many of the same point of view as you have put forward here and agree that everything is not always as it seems. I have now just stopped buying, finally. I tried low buy but was failing. So I decided, I have enough! I tend to wear and re-wear the same outfits anyway because I know what suits me and what I feel most comfortable in. Thank you for this video. Excellent! 💙💛
Yes Val and Katem...I came to same conclusion..no one can create perfectly sustainable clothing. We only encourage greenwashing and dishonesty if we only buy those who say they can. I have same purchasing methods. Imho, this encourages any manufacturers to create better quality clothing and hopefully more honest production methods. We can only do our best not be perfect.
literally that's reduce. the first R. the problem isn't with the 3R's, it's that people only actually pay attention to 'recycle' not reduce and reuse. They're in order of best to worst, reduce if you can, reuse if you need it, recycle only if the two others are impossible.
Just the fact that you had no clue about how harmful shopping at target/forever21 etc. was, and now you do, is a huge change. So many people just have no idea and never even think about where their clothing comes from. That's a huge change right there! Talking about it honestly has more impact imo than one person not shopping fast fashion. Keep it up!!!
Great video! I have found that simply buying less has worked for me. For example, I have 1 church/party/special occasion dress that I love. I spent around $200 on it but have worn it over 30 times a year. I was okay spending that since I wear it so often and then haven't bought another since (I have had it for 3 years and it is still in excellent condition).
Fast fashion, unethical practices will stay to get the consumer the cheap price, which is incredibly frustrating when you want to do right. I like your point of we can’t be perfectly sustainable but we can do our part. If more of are mindful of our shopping habits and companies see this.. then maybe just maybe one day they will be forced to change their ways to keep up with demand. Consumers have more power than big companies want to give us credit for
Love this! Thank you for speaking up about this. Sustainability is such a complex topic and there is so much more nuance and trade offs than brands want us to think. I like your realistic, accessible approach. It doesn't have to be all or nothing, and there really is no perfect solution in this case. Buying way less and reusing things is many times what makes the biggest impact anyway, and it also happens to be the easiest and most affordable option for almost everyone. I love the practical approach you take to so many things in life and on this channel. It really is a breath of fresh air and one I try to practice myself as well!
There is a specific clothing brand calling themselves sustainable and launched a collection every months and it’s kind of funny because having a “new”collection every months is not sustainable no matter what the material used … food for thought
@@ValKovalchuk you're both wrong, and a have very linear way of thinking. Recycled materials must be used, or they will become landfill. Using recycled materials for a "new" line is exactly one of the fundamental keys to the solution. "new lines" come out because garbage is continuously being collected and pressed into materials. How could you forget this simple step. Reducing your consumption is another key as stated - moving forward, but not the only moving part necessary to removing the already established issues plaguing the industry.
I love the point about changing our buying habits and taking care of our clothes. I don’t agree with the idea that it doesn’t matter who you buy from because no solution is perfect. There is unashamedly greenwashing everywhere and there are tons of brands making efforts at sustainable changes without being fully informed and there are brands that are innovating and trail blazing and they need to be supported. I also don’t believe significant change will happen without laws and regulations so another thing we can all do is make sure we pay attention to that and vote. I also love the point that many of the thrift stores can’t sell your used clothes. I think tons of people still believe they are doing good in the world when they dump their off season dirty logo t-shirt with rips and stains in it at their favorite charity shop. No one wants that stuff. Better to compost what we can or find other uses like rag rugs, furniture stuffing and cleaning supplies.
I once spent a bunch of money on two organic cotton fleece skirts and two long-sleeved organic cotton shirts. They didn't last any longer than something I might have picked up at Walmart!
New subscriber here, I'm so happy you speak about this! To avoid fast fashion i decided to knit my clothes and oh my! Yarn is expensive, over processed, purchased for pennies from poor countries and then coloured in rich countries, shiped 2-3 times on different continents...
Thank you so much for this video, I've been having the exact same thoughts, about how to participate without being able to effort the fair trade sustainable but expensive clothes and you actually made me feel much better since i know i wear my clothes untill they fall apart and never buy any unnecessary pieces. I wish there was a way to not be any part of that but i guess there is only so much that a person can do..
I watched a video about one company that advertised being environmentally conscious and that they recycled fabric. Turns out, they recycled the fabric in the label at the back of the neck! Yep, not much of a help since I cut those off and throw them away.
Old polyester releases more toxins , personally I had clothing that was 15 years old last year i had to throw it all out ... I kept realizing it was smelling and oily film kept coming on my skin as the clothes were getting thinner....wearing old polyester is more toxic and realeases more micro plastics into water supply...which cities reuse...there are alarming amounts micro and nano plastics in our water supplies. A lot is from our clothes
Thank you for the great video. I have been craving the thrill of picking up some new items for my summer wardrobe, and your video is just what I needed in order to redirect my attention to what I already have and also to invest in my somewhat ignored hobbies. I think I will try doing more pottery, which certainly does not require any new clothes:)
Excellent video. I myself believe in protecting our environment. It was here before we were. Even one lifestyle change can make a big difference. Thanks for the nod to us gardeners. Take care. 😊
Great video! I have definitely opened my eyes to sustainability recently. I am shopping thrift first instead of new. I feel like people gove Goodwill a bad wrap, but I love shopping there and do donate there. One thing about Goodwill that I found out recently is a lot of them participate in textile recycling. So if its not good enough to sell, it could be used to make insulation, etc. I don't think all of them do, but it's a start.
Very well said Val😊❤Im trying to buy less and buy wise also and that made more appreciative of what I have… not only I save money Im helping environment also😊
We love your video ❤ we are a great lakes not for profit, selling 100% Organic Cotton designed in canada and made in the usa. All proceeds go towards planting trees and Great Lake Clean ups in Canada 🇨🇦 Organic farming doesn't toxify the water supply , as regular cotton or toxic polyester. Thrifting only organic/cotton helps keep mirco plastics out of our water supplies.
I have 4 boys, but when I get more time I would love to sew the clothes I enjoy it :) I have a bit of a phobia wearing someone else’s clothes.. unless I know the person who wore it like a friend..
I’ve bought a lot of fast fashion clothes that are falling apart and are not really donate or sell quality, so instead I’m recycling them by using them in sewing. You can make some pretty awesome plushies/stuffing/doll clothes that way!!
Shopping ethical brands is an important contribution to shifting the fashion industry to make it more ethical and sustainable overall. Voting with your dollars by shopping from ethical brands shows companies they need to change to match consumer demand. Thrifting, recycling and upcycling clothing, and buying less are all part of making the shift to ethical fashion. To say no brand can be completely sustainable so just give up on it is not the way! There are so many great ways that brands have incorporated sustainability efforts into their overall manufacturing and production processes: sourcing more sustainable materials and dyes, having buy-back programs (you trade in your old clothes for credit to shop for new), finding factories and ways of sourcing that are more ethical and sustainable for the planet and provide greater dignity to those who are working in the industry, donating to offset carbon emissions and limiting the amount of water used, preventing water pollution, creative innovations like recycled polyester to help with plastic waste....All of these things do add up to make a difference!
A lot of our sustainable brands are independent businesses that hand make their own products using ethically sourced and recycled materials. We agree that not all expensive brands that proclaim to be sustainable are, but for many the costs do come from the production of the items. Buying one or two sustainable pieces are an investment and many of our brands offer circularity where they will repair items or recycle items. Uzma Bozai, Plain and Simple are two that spring to mind. They also do amazing charity work! We agree with you though that it is good to reduce and reuse your items. Together we can all do our small part towards the greater good!
We need to use what we already have until it is unwearable it in some cases takes years that’s more sustainable than constantly updating your wardrobe every year. Trends don’t matter.
I've just been looking out for nicer fast fashion second hand and taking really good care of it. People used to have a handful of outfits and be content with that. The standard now is too excessive imo. I don't need 80 outfits. When you look at it that way it's less overwhelming.
There are fabrics like modal(beech tree cellulose) that are more sustainable than cotton. It takes significantly less water. Natural fibers are better than synthetic since it will eventually degrade and not add to the microplastics problem. It does matter who you shop from. Quality fiber clothes last much longer if they are cared for. The price per wear ends up being much lower for upfront cost and when you buy second hand, they’ll still look good and have a ton of wear. 100% cotton can still fall apart because it was very poor quality from a cheap fast brand. Sustainable/ethical brands, from what I’ve seen, don’t use slave labor and ethics is a big deal to them. Fast fashion brands have been tested and lead, and the carcinogenic cadmium have been found. Other chemicals that are banned for legitimate reasons as well like causing reproductive problems have come up too. So many reasons as to why it actually matters. I’ve been slowly replacing my wardrobe. I’m not rich, and I hate wasting. I just don’t think it’s pointless to look for brands that try to provide an alternative.
Hmm this so big problem. Why sustainable brand needs to be “perfect”?! Why do have to criticize brands with effort instead of criticizing brands with no effort. Not one perfect brand or person make different or save planet, but lots of us and lots of brands by parts not perfect YES!
Buying less is key. Vary your look by alternating accessories.
Yes that’s a great idea! 🥰
Capsule wardrobe, maxing each combo with accessories completes the look.
Very good points! I would like to add, don’t wash your clothes after every wear. They can be used several times if you just air them over night. And wool you certainly don’t need to wash more than once per season. Washing is really quite bad for the environment, it uses a lot of water and also chemicals, and electric power. Using a dryer is also really unnecessary, it works fine to airdry, outside if possible.
Another good way to buy less is to borrow clothes from friends and family! Especially if you’re going to a big do of some sort and need party clothes. There is also rental services for formal party clothes, bags and all.
Yes, these are some great tips! 🥰
How do you air clothes?
@@erikabearika3249 You just hang them up on a hanger (or over the back of a chair or something) an let them hang in the room or outside. Over night or a couple of days, whatever suits you best.
If you lived in tropical country and wore your clothes almost 8 hours. It gonna impossible to not wash yoyr clothes
Thank you. My mother doesn’t like that I don’t wash clothes everyday.
Fast fashion, unethical practices will stay to get the consumer the cheap price, which is incredibly frustrating when you want to do right. I like your point of we can’t be perfectly sustainable but we can do our part. If more of are mindful of our shopping habits and companies see this.. then maybe just maybe one day they will be forced to change their ways to keep up with demand. Consumers have more power than big companies want to give us credit for 🧡🌎
Yes, I fully agree and have a very similar approach to shopping. I feel like a lot of people think in a very black and white manner when it comes to sustainability, like a brand is either fully sustainable & ethical or completely horrible - when obviously this is not how things work in real life! Just like no brand is fully sustainable, not all fast fashion is equally bad either. It matters whether you buy from ultra fast fashion like Shein, or a brand that's technically fast fashion but is actually implementing policies to improve sustainability and workers rights.
Yes I agree!
Yes, yes, yes, Val. I have come to so many of the same point of view as you have put forward here and agree that everything is not always as it seems. I have now just stopped buying, finally. I tried low buy but was failing. So I decided, I have enough! I tend to wear and re-wear the same outfits anyway because I know what suits me and what I feel most comfortable in. Thank you for this video. Excellent! 💙💛
I’m so glad we are on the same page! ❤
Yes Val and Katem...I came to same conclusion..no one can create perfectly sustainable clothing. We only encourage greenwashing and dishonesty if we only buy those who say they can. I have same purchasing methods. Imho, this encourages any manufacturers to create better quality clothing and hopefully more honest production methods. We can only do our best not be perfect.
Thank you! I agree wholeheartedly. You touched on one more R - refuse. Refusing to buy the latest trends....
Yes that’s super important too!
literally that's reduce. the first R. the problem isn't with the 3R's, it's that people only actually pay attention to 'recycle' not reduce and reuse. They're in order of best to worst, reduce if you can, reuse if you need it, recycle only if the two others are impossible.
Just the fact that you had no clue about how harmful shopping at target/forever21 etc. was, and now you do, is a huge change. So many people just have no idea and never even think about where their clothing comes from. That's a huge change right there! Talking about it honestly has more impact imo than one person not shopping fast fashion. Keep it up!!!
Love this!! 🙌 I do two of the things you mentioned: thrifting, and when purchasing fast fashion I am very careful to choose thoughtfully.
I love that Victoria! 😊
Great video! I have found that simply buying less has worked for me. For example, I have 1 church/party/special occasion dress that I love. I spent around $200 on it but have worn it over 30 times a year. I was okay spending that since I wear it so often and then haven't bought another since (I have had it for 3 years and it is still in excellent condition).
Yes that makes a lot of sense too!! ❤️
Fast fashion, unethical practices will stay to get the consumer the cheap price, which is incredibly frustrating when you want to do right. I like your point of we can’t be perfectly sustainable but we can do our part. If more of are mindful of our shopping habits and companies see this.. then maybe just maybe one day they will be forced to change their ways to keep up with demand. Consumers have more power than big companies want to give us credit for
I just love how realistic you are!!! Progress over perfection!
Thanks Ivana! 😁
Love this! Thank you for speaking up about this. Sustainability is such a complex topic and there is so much more nuance and trade offs than brands want us to think. I like your realistic, accessible approach. It doesn't have to be all or nothing, and there really is no perfect solution in this case. Buying way less and reusing things is many times what makes the biggest impact anyway, and it also happens to be the easiest and most affordable option for almost everyone. I love the practical approach you take to so many things in life and on this channel. It really is a breath of fresh air and one I try to practice myself as well!
Thanks Alexis! I’ve been thinking this for a while now, it’s nice to hear that others are as well! ❤️
There is a specific clothing brand calling themselves sustainable and launched a collection every months and it’s kind of funny because having a “new”collection every months is not sustainable no matter what the material used … food for thought
I know, right?? 🤔🤔
@@ValKovalchuk you're both wrong, and a have very linear way of thinking. Recycled materials must be used, or they will become landfill. Using recycled materials for a "new" line is exactly one of the fundamental keys to the solution. "new lines" come out because garbage is continuously being collected and pressed into materials. How could you forget this simple step. Reducing your consumption is another key as stated - moving forward, but not the only moving part necessary to removing the already established issues plaguing the industry.
@@thelastotaku4852👍🏼
What is the brand called?
Please answer, it would reallyyy help me with a humanities project.
@@naia8516 Hi I was talking about Sézane
This is the right way of thinking we all strive for. The way previous generations was shopped is exactly slow fashion. Thank you for this video! ❤
Yes I agree! 😁
I love the point about changing our buying habits and taking care of our clothes. I don’t agree with the idea that it doesn’t matter who you buy from because no solution is perfect. There is unashamedly greenwashing everywhere and there are tons of brands making efforts at sustainable changes without being fully informed and there are brands that are innovating and trail blazing and they need to be supported. I also don’t believe significant change will happen without laws and regulations so another thing we can all do is make sure we pay attention to that and vote. I also love the point that many of the thrift stores can’t sell your used clothes. I think tons of people still believe they are doing good in the world when they dump their off season dirty logo t-shirt with rips and stains in it at their favorite charity shop. No one wants that stuff. Better to compost what we can or find other uses like rag rugs, furniture stuffing and cleaning supplies.
I once spent a bunch of money on two organic cotton fleece skirts and two long-sleeved organic cotton shirts. They didn't last any longer than something I might have picked up at Walmart!
New subscriber here, I'm so happy you speak about this! To avoid fast fashion i decided to knit my clothes and oh my! Yarn is expensive, over processed, purchased for pennies from poor countries and then coloured in rich countries, shiped 2-3 times on different continents...
Wow that is a long trail for yarn 😥
Thank you so much for this video, I've been having the exact same thoughts, about how to participate without being able to effort the fair trade sustainable but expensive clothes and you actually made me feel much better since i know i wear my clothes untill they fall apart and never buy any unnecessary pieces. I wish there was a way to not be any part of that but i guess there is only so much that a person can do..
I watched a video about one company that advertised being environmentally conscious and that they recycled fabric. Turns out, they recycled the fabric in the label at the back of the neck! Yep, not much of a help since I cut those off and throw them away.
Wow that is pretty sneaky!! 😮
Love this!!!
Buy less and more versatile is my goal this year.
Love this! This is an achievable and balanced approach for the average woman.
Old polyester releases more toxins , personally I had clothing that was 15 years old last year i had to throw it all out ... I kept realizing it was smelling and oily film kept coming on my skin as the clothes were getting thinner....wearing old polyester is more toxic and realeases more micro plastics into water supply...which cities reuse...there are alarming amounts micro and nano plastics in our water supplies. A lot is from our clothes
Thank you for the great video. I have been craving the thrill of picking up some new items for my summer wardrobe, and your video is just what I needed in order to redirect my attention to what I already have and also to invest in my somewhat ignored hobbies. I think I will try doing more pottery, which certainly does not require any new clothes:)
Pottery sounds so interesting!!! 😍
Excellent video. I myself believe in protecting our environment. It was here before we were. Even one lifestyle change can make a big difference. Thanks for the nod to us gardeners. Take care. 😊
Thanks for watching!
Great video! I have definitely opened my eyes to sustainability recently. I am shopping thrift first instead of new.
I feel like people gove Goodwill a bad wrap, but I love shopping there and do donate there. One thing about Goodwill that I found out recently is a lot of them participate in textile recycling. So if its not good enough to sell, it could be used to make insulation, etc. I don't think all of them do, but it's a start.
Very well said Val😊❤Im trying to buy less and buy wise also and that made more appreciative of what I have… not only I save money Im helping environment also😊
Yes, it’s better all around! 🥰
We love your video ❤
we are a great lakes not for profit, selling 100% Organic Cotton designed in canada and made in the usa.
All proceeds go towards planting trees and Great Lake Clean ups in Canada 🇨🇦
Organic farming doesn't toxify the water supply , as regular cotton or toxic polyester.
Thrifting only organic/cotton helps keep mirco plastics out of our water supplies.
Loved this video from you. You are so smart and balanced in your views!
Thank you! 😁😁
I have 4 boys, but when I get more time I would love to sew the clothes I enjoy it :)
I have a bit of a phobia wearing someone else’s clothes.. unless I know the person who wore it like a friend..
I hope you get to try sewing soon, it's so rewarding!
A bit off topic but that book you have on top of the stack there really is a life changing book. The body keeps the score. I recognize the cover.
I’ve bought a lot of fast fashion clothes that are falling apart and are not really donate or sell quality, so instead I’m recycling them by using them in sewing. You can make some pretty awesome plushies/stuffing/doll clothes that way!!
I really like the way you think. I really agree with you. Thank you.
Great video!
What sustainable brands do you reccommend?
Wonderful video Val. Very well spoken.
Thanks Sharon! ❤️
I "liked" this video. But it would be more appropriate to have a "love, love, love" option to click. Well said, Val! I'm proud of you. 😊
Aw thanks Robin! 🥰
Shopping ethical brands is an important contribution to shifting the fashion industry to make it more ethical and sustainable overall. Voting with your dollars by shopping from ethical brands shows companies they need to change to match consumer demand. Thrifting, recycling and upcycling clothing, and buying less are all part of making the shift to ethical fashion. To say no brand can be completely sustainable so just give up on it is not the way! There are so many great ways that brands have incorporated sustainability efforts into their overall manufacturing and production processes: sourcing more sustainable materials and dyes, having buy-back programs (you trade in your old clothes for credit to shop for new), finding factories and ways of sourcing that are more ethical and sustainable for the planet and provide greater dignity to those who are working in the industry, donating to offset carbon emissions and limiting the amount of water used, preventing water pollution, creative innovations like recycled polyester to help with plastic waste....All of these things do add up to make a difference!
I agree to every sentence in this video, thank you Val!! 🙏❤️🌱
Yay glad to hear we are on the same page! 😁
GREAT video...thank you!
This is an absolutely great video!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉 excellent tips, point of view, thanks!
Thanks for watching!
Great overview and reminder.
I wanted to swap cotton for linnen but linnen get quite quickly destroyed, it gets tiny holes...so i continue with secpnd hand cotton.
Hi! This is kind of random but where is your bed frame from? It's super cute and I love the built in shelves!
GREAT video! Wish everyone would watch this!!
Thanks Anne! Feel free to share it with everyone you know 😁😁
Thank you for this insightful video. You have given me a lot to think about.
So glad you enjoyed it!
A lot of our sustainable brands are independent businesses that hand make their own products using ethically sourced and recycled materials. We agree that not all expensive brands that proclaim to be sustainable are, but for many the costs do come from the production of the items. Buying one or two sustainable pieces are an investment and many of our brands offer circularity where they will repair items or recycle items. Uzma Bozai, Plain and Simple are two that spring to mind. They also do amazing charity work! We agree with you though that it is good to reduce and reuse your items. Together we can all do our small part towards the greater good!
Nice hot take! Thanks for the info
We need to use what we already have until it is unwearable it in some cases takes years that’s more sustainable than constantly updating your wardrobe every year. Trends don’t matter.
This is so nicely said! ❤
Thanks Gloria!
So perfectly said💐
The average "rich" person doesn't wear half of their wardrobe
I like your video and your idea’s!😊
Thank you! 😊
I've just been looking out for nicer fast fashion second hand and taking really good care of it. People used to have a handful of outfits and be content with that. The standard now is too excessive imo. I don't need 80 outfits. When you look at it that way it's less overwhelming.
This was such an informative and motivating video ❤️ thanks Val
You are so welcome!
Really im all in agree with you everything is not whats looks like
I think that the only thing I dont buy second hand is food😅. You can buy everything secondhand, even cosmetics.
yah food would be hard 😅
Second hand is also very expensive at least in Europe
There are fabrics like modal(beech tree cellulose) that are more sustainable than cotton. It takes significantly less water. Natural fibers are better than synthetic since it will eventually degrade and not add to the microplastics problem. It does matter who you shop from. Quality fiber clothes last much longer if they are cared for. The price per wear ends up being much lower for upfront cost and when you buy second hand, they’ll still look good and have a ton of wear. 100% cotton can still fall apart because it was very poor quality from a cheap fast brand. Sustainable/ethical brands, from what I’ve seen, don’t use slave labor and ethics is a big deal to them. Fast fashion brands have been tested and lead, and the carcinogenic cadmium have been found. Other chemicals that are banned for legitimate reasons as well like causing reproductive problems have come up too. So many reasons as to why it actually matters. I’ve been slowly replacing my wardrobe. I’m not rich, and I hate wasting. I just don’t think it’s pointless to look for brands that try to provide an alternative.
Also, air drying ur clothes helps them last longer and uses less energy, less saves money too!
Its so mind boggling to me that companies can still pay people over seas a fair wage and because of conversion prices
They'd still be making a profit
Youre so cute. Thank you for sharing
😊
Hmm this so big problem. Why sustainable brand needs to be “perfect”?! Why do have to criticize brands with effort instead of criticizing brands with no effort. Not one perfect brand or person make different or save planet, but lots of us and lots of brands by parts not perfect YES!
just keep your clothes. I have clothes from the 90’s I am still wearing😋
I stopped watching when you used the term "3rd world countries". We are not as conscious as we seem here.
Sorry, but is this a real accent ?
Do I have an accent? Yes it's how I talk 😅