as an adolescent I had a MASSIVE wardrobe of thrifted clothes, but I ended up with a huge % of it not being worn. I went through a period of almost minimalism, where I donated well over half of it and started focusing on sourcing foundational pieces that I knew I would keep forever. in 2019 + 2020 I challenged myself to not buy any new clothing, only things that were second hand, and that definitely solidified my break from constantly accumulating clothes. now I've started reintroducing thrift store trips every once in a while, but I don't go out every week buying four or five new things. I feel like I've found a nice balance. Thank you for showing a side of sustainability that doesn't prioritize absolute minimalism
Yes! While I'm admittedly not very fashionable and tend to wear the same outfits over and over again, I never understood the super strict mentality of "YOU CAN'T OWN MORE THAN 5 SHIRTS!" The irony is, in order to maintain this strict wardrobe, it encourages people to declutter constantly, which creates potential for waste, and then if they fall short of something, they have to go out an buy it, which also creates potential for waste! The stuff sitting in your home isn't harming the environment, so you can have a lot of clothes.
I love having as few clothes as possible and wearing the same outfits over and over, and I love seeing clothes lovers who wear so many cool and different combinations. Be sustainable in a way that makes you happy!
My wardrobe is kind of bohemian meets girl who goes camping. I haven’t bought any clothes in about 4 years. I donated about 7 bags of clothes so I definitely downsized a bit. All the clothes I do have are mix & match. At 62, I just go to the beat of my own drum😁
I'm definitely on the "less is more" train. I've found that it stresses me out to have a larger quantity of clothing that just sits there because not only is it taking up literal space but I also feel like it is taking up mental space because I'm constantly reminded that things are being "wasted" in my space. That being said, I almost exclusively wear black clothing and I have stopped fighting that since it seems to be my default setting at this point, but that makes it easy for me to acquire less, since I don't feel the need to buy every funky colorful jacket that I will most likely never wear anyways.
I had a long period of time where I felt the same way, so I can absolutely relate. Now, I organise my wardrobe in a way where all the clothes for more special occassions or the things I don't plan on wearing don't take up a lot of space and are not visible, that way it is definitely easier to keep a good overview. At least this works for me. Lol have an entire drawer in my closet just for black clothes, I feel you ✨
I’m also trying to figure out how to still express myself but more sustainably and I like seeing more people breaking away from the you can only wear this one organic cotton t shirt or whatever it may be, I think it’s really cool that some people can only ever wear natural materials/etc but I also feel a lot more me in my thrifted/small business alternative clothing and my (unfortunately fast fashion at the time) platform boots I’ve had for 5/6 years and still wear every time I go out, I know a lot of people don’t want to feel like they’re “sacrificing” their style for sustainability by not buying fast fashion, but there’s so many other ways to have your own sense of style without supporting fast fashion! and especially in videos like this I feel like this can reach those people so they feel more obligated to look into doing things more sustainably than just writing it off because they “don’t want to only wear one of everything” if that’s the only sustainable fashion content they see
Absolutely, I still see this idea that if we boycott fast fashion we also sacrifice, as you say, our ability to express our individual styles. Which is so untrue, but we're often so used to being able to get our clothes so cheaply, and quickly, that other options seem impossible. Learning how to explore style and self-expression sustainably though, is one of the most rewarding things I've ever learned 🌿 (ps I also have old fast fashion purchases that I routinely wear, getting as much use out of them as possible is the most sustainable thing we can do)
My style is corporate chic, sometimes upper Hampton chic, thrifted most of the time, sometimes homemade (I sew and I crochet). I had never thought of the sustainable aspect of my wardrobe until I came across your channel, so thank you for opening my eyes!
I appreciate your critical thinking and your creative wardrobe. I wonder how long we would all remain clothed if we did not make any new clothing and only recycled and wore our things completely out.
I keep patching up, mending, painting, dyeing the clothes I have. I don’t know what sustainable fashion rules are but I’m having fun keeping the clothes I have as long as I can.
I sold/donated most of my clothing trying to be more minimalist (partly bc of the trend, partly mental health, partly sustainability) and boooy do I regret it. My style changes so much, my work life changes, etc. and I found myself buying again many of the things I gave away bc I needed them for work or I wanted them. Now I keep anything I sorta like, especially if it was gifted and would've been thrown away otherwise. It occuppies more space and it's less relaxing but it's worth it.
I so love the fact that you are, once again "coming out" as more of maximalist than a minimalist. There has been such a wave of minimalism and that was the only goal, because that would make you live a completely sustainable life. I tried during lockdown to go for that lifestyle but in truth... it. is. not. me. as a person. I dont like minimalism. I dont like limits and I dont like to throw away things that can either be recycled, up-cycled or just used later on. I just lost 14kg´s in about 6 months. Nothing fits anymore - but I also know that I will probably gain some again (it´s partly due to being sick. I went through mu wardrobe over the last few weeks (aaagain) and have sorted out 3 bags which I was going to donate... but honestly? We know that so much goes to landfill even from the thrift- og charity shops and maybe I need a selection for when I gain again. You know, more than 5 pieces in neutrals (not that I own a neutral of any kind) but something I would actually wear so that I dont just get rid of it and then go and buy a bunc of new things to fill up my closet. It would make no sence as I dont follow trends anyway. It´s been "bad" enough financially and practically to have to replace everything over the past couple of months, it would just be stupid to get rid of all the other stuff when I will likely move closer to those sizes again. And honestly; I just love to play around with clothes, styling etc. Probably 95% of my wardrobe is thrifted and I feel good about it. At least I "saved" some things from going to landfill by buying and using them.
i do the same. previously i would donate things that didn't fit me. And then end up having to buy all over again. Due medication my size fluctuates quite a bit. Now i think of it as having jeans in multiple sizes for when my waist size fluctuates. The jeans that don't currently fit, get up away, so they don't take up mental or physical space - but i know that they are then, when i need them again. It also really helps me to focus less on what size currently fits - because they're all my jeans. So less negative size and body focus and more thinking of the functionality of which ones work right now.
Uh I can soooo relate, my weights has me shifting through sizes, especially for bottoms quite a lot,, and it has taken me time to accept that it is okay to keep something clothes that might fit 100% perfectly now, but I know they will in a year 💚🌿
I've also been through the size change issue in the last 5-6 years. I've lost weight in the past but then gained weight and learnt to be comfortable with whatever my body looks like. And I just don't throw away or donate any of my clothes anymore. Why buy more when you can just use what you already have?
I love this. I was very influenced by the minimalist movement a few years ago and 1) still remember with regret getting rid of certain items 2) always hated the minimalist aesthetic.
I am seeing so much instances of toxic mindsets in the minimalism community, it's sad! Glad other people experience the same. I find some aspects really appealing, but came to realise that you can apparently be minimalist and consumerist at the same time. Yat a lot of minimalist people like to equate the two and judge people for owning things. You can own a stuff without buying any of it, you know?
Great video. If people are trying their best to be more sustainable, that's what matters. Progress over perfection! Regarding minimalism, I think it has been turned into owning as little as possible when my interpretation is only owning things that truly bring you joy and/or serve a purpose. It's to find a balance for you so things don't dominate your life. From my personal journey into sustainability, I started by only wearing neutrals... and I hated it! I love earth and jewel tones, and lots of different styles. But you can bet it is all thrifted and works for my body and lifestyle ;)
Yeah, I'm a big maximalist, but the majority of my things have been acquired over time, from gifts to thrift stores, to pieces I buy directly from artisans and makers. My house is like a menagerie and that diversity of artistic expression honestly brings me a lot of joy. I don't hate minimalism, and I can see some of the appeal for some people, but I hate when people want to push it as the one thing you need to strive for, because minimalism to me screams of waste. You curate your closet or home so much that you switch out objects in and out of your life yearly, like a phone, doing closet purges, and house purges. Like, yes declutter, but when your life revolves around bulk buying and bulk purging that reads like a bigger issue to me. Instead learning how to keep and reuse things and wear them out till there's absolutely no use sounds like a better way to me
Great video! It's interesting to hear that you avoid fast fashion and look for vintage clothing. I used to do the same but now I just buy what I know I'll wear and only natural fabrics. Some fast fashion brands I completely ignore (Primark, H&M, PLT, etc.) but others (COS, Zara) I'm OK with because the clothing tends to be decently made and more likely to be cotton. Vintage clothing is often well made but from synthetic materials, which I hate wearing and will shed plastic. I also think the 30 wears principle is a good one for making sure the clothes we buy (new or thrifted) are actually worn, even if that's only once a year for special occasions. The point is we should be wearing what we have not always shopping for new items.
I've also changed my mind recently in this area. Sometimes is not what you do but how you do it. Is hoarding resources mindlessly sustainable? No. Is valuing things that make you (and thereby the people and world around you) happy sustainable? Yes.
So agree with this! I am not a minimalist when it comes to fashion but I do the same as you and thrift most of my clothing and also have kept my pieces for a very long time. I enjoy expressing myself through fashion and I have felt so so so guilty about it as a “zero waster”. Great video as always💚💚💚👍🥰
I have brought fewer and fewer clothes over the last 2 years. But i am honest, if i see a piece of h&m clothing i like, i'll buy it. I still look for second hand 70% of the time, but if i wear it for years on, there is nothing wrong with me buying something fast fashioned. I am also petit so many second-hand clothes dont fit me right and i cant mend or resize all clothing i buy. One of my Forever 21 Skirts is 5 years old and i wear it monthly.
I agree with you on a lot of these. I try to only hold onto what I wear, but I fluctuate sizes so I hold onto a few things for when my body inevitably bounces between sizes. Additionally, I have some formal items like dresses and jumpsuits that I wear to weddings and funerals which don’t necessarily happen every single year. Same goes for the thirty wears - I try to wear every day items over and over again but I consider wearing a formal item 5-10 times a win, especially when I don’t necessarily want to wear the same dress to every single wedding I go to. In terms of natural fibers, I gravitate towards those for everyday items but not necessarily for things that are washed less often like outerwear, tennis shoes, athletic wear, swimsuits, formal clothing, and accessories like scarves. When thrifting, I generally don’t pay too much attention to material unless I’m looking for specifics like silk, cashmere, or linen. I also will buy leather second hand or in my favorite shoes like Birkenstock’s and blundstones, especially since plastic leather isn’t much better and animal leather is currently considered a byproduct of waste material, though I tend to avoid new leather and fur because I don’t like animal agriculture.
This is such a good video! A couple years ago I donated a very sentimental piece of clothing just because it was made of polyester. And while I certainly wouldn’t wear it every day, I would buy it back in a heartbeat now if I came across it again as my style has evolved. Minimalism works well for me for everyday items, but there’s room for once in awhile special items too!
I feel like this video just lifted a bit of weight off my shoulders, I always feel a bit pressured whenever I hear about minimalist & sustainable fashion rules that I don't follow. My wardrobe consists of 95% thrifted clothes, I like to describe my style as "a forest fairy", I love earthy colours like browns and greens and flowy skirts and dresses. I have many green maxi dresses and I love them so much, I could never just have one of them, they're all my favourites 🍃💚
I got unreasonably excited when you were talking about your mom's wedding dress because I also got married in a red dress with red shoes. I do tend more toward minimalism, I get easily overwhelmed by a messy space and with small children things get messy so quickly if there's very much 'extra' anything. I definitely don't think it's something everyone needs to do though.
I agree. Anything thrifted / second hand is fair game as long as (1) you'll use it and (2) you don't have so much stuff that it's stressing you out. I think that level will be different for everyone depending on the storage available to them and how much "clutter" they can handle before it bothers them.
It's funny I went to a thrift store and bought this purple Kate Spade sunglasses. Another time I bought this Kate Spade wallet and the next time a Kate Spade beautiful tote bag. Put them together onetime and just realized I had a matching combo. Who knew......love.....love thrifting
I agree! I have A LOT of clothes, but most of it is thrifted or vintage. I just love fashion and styling outfits and express myself through my clothes. But i don't give money to fast fashion, so i don't see a problem. Minimalism is just not really my jam ;) but sustainabilty is!
I agree that viscose/rayon is so convoluted! Things like tencel or other brands which use the lyocell method are arguably more sustainable (they re-use the chemicals and don’t dump them into the ocean) but that isn’t common knowledge! In Europe they’re starting to get stricter with fabric certifications but we have a lot of work to do in Canada and the us
Can you make a video about caring for pets sustainable? I would love to see how you reduce the waste that your dog produce (food packaging, ...) I have two cats🐱🥰
I’ve been doing the hanger rule before I started my sustainability journey and it personally works for me but when I get to the end of the year I look through all the things and decide if I want to keep things or not and most of them I do keep and it works more of a reminder to wear that item more ( it’s like shopping my own wardrobe 😆 ) but sometimes theirs things I see and think “yeh I won’t wear that again” it helps making organising and decluttering less overwhelming for me :) different things works for different people and it’s great to see the different opinions and ways others do things!
I also used it a couple of times in the beginning of my sustainable journey, so it can absolutely be a great tool to help us unlearn previous consumer-patterns. Personally, I stopped doing it, after I had learned what I could from it, for me it was a good starting tool ✨
@@Gittemary I’m still building my wardrobe so it’s quite helpful to me at the moment while I’m bringing in new second hand items, recently joined a clothes swap group in Facebook so clearing out things I know I won’t wear and swap it for an item I’d love is my favourite thing!
As long as it hurts no one else or d planet...anything goes Esp if what u use is sourced responsibly. A lot of eco minimalist ideas stem from the need to reduce visual and mental clutter..if u find a pile of good items in ur wardrobe u have no intention of using then let it go Conversely if u enjoy the mayhem and thrill of creating outfits from random pieces u should definitely keep it U do u
I couldn't agree more. I don't want my sustainable lifestyle to be complicated. I do want to be mindful and have guide lines but not if it is going to stress me out.
Super helpful video! Definitely recognisable to feel guilty about buying something that you already have (i.e. a bag, shoes, etc). Something I needed to hear!
I myself used some of these rules as stepping stones when starting my sustainability journey. Now years later, I have a much better sense of self and my wardrobe is able to reflect that, so I don't really follow any rules anymore. I do like to practice mindful shopping habits thought, since I still have a compulsive shopping issue.
I did the same, which is also why I have come to see how some of them might work for me, but in the long run some of them don't. They have all, however, played a really important part in how I've unlearned my past consumer-patterns. They are great tools to get started, when changing habits, but overtime, when we have learned how to be mindful and make more sustainable choices, it is completely time to outgrow them and do things sustainably, but differently ✨
Love this! I've always loved creative fashion and agree that those plain, functional separates so many of the minimalists wear, while they look nice on them, just feel boring to me! As for what's "natural," it seems to me that if the clothing could be composted and not leave any pollutants behind, that ought to be natural enough. I like your idea of only using synthetics to make a temporary statement so that you don't have to wash them much. Makes sense!
I agree with your points about there being a different version of sustainability for everyone, and I also want to share that when I tried a no-buy year I found it made me MORE creative to have that boundary, rather than less. Like, wanting a scarf but realizing I could use a line towel or a blanket for the same purpose instead. Or wanting a white dress and realizing I could use a curtain and wrap it around myself. It made me resourceful to work with a small amount of things I already had.
I love thrifting and love having multiples because I have a very set style now and know what I love and what I will wear. And multiples mean I don’t have to wash things as often. I do like buying some things new. For example, I have a favorite type of sun glasses. Made for running. But they are also very fashionable and good quality. I have the current pair I’ve had for over 5 years and they are going strong. But I want some new styles and colors to mix things up. But it’s something I couldn’t buy used.
With the knowledge that only very, very few clothing items that are donated can actually be resold, and most donated things get thrown away.... I was very careful when I recently cleaned out my closet. It is not at all sustainable if I donate a bag of clothes because I don't like them anymore and I wish to appear sustainable by having a capsule wardrobe, but only 1 of 10 items gets resold and the rest is thrown away, but I don't feel guilty about it because someone else did the throwing away. If you can directly sell or gift your clothing items, so you KNOW someone will actually continue to wear them, that's great! Otherwise I think it's better to keep some "questionable" items; maybe you can make some alterations (I did that to a couple of items and I love them again now), maybe you can wear them as PJs, maybe someone you know (or you) will like them again down the line. Some of the rules mentioned are great concepts to keep in mind when bringing new items into your home! But when applying them to your existing wardrobe, getting rid of otherwise fine items should be carefully considered if you can't guarantee that they are getting a second life. SO I really appreciate your take, Gittemary
I love the points you make in this video. Most of my clothes (and my daughters) are second hand so there was no demand for new items to be made. I think it's good to have a wardrobe that suits your lifestyle and self-expression, where you live, and that makes you happy. As long as you're doing the best you can, that's what matters.
I think it’s important to realize that minimal does not automatically equal sustainable. It can, because you are buying less. However if you are constantly replacing and buying new things and getting rid of old ones but you still have a small amount of things is that still minimalism? I think this is really important to think about. As for me, I try to only buy things when I need them or they would add a lot of value to my life. For example buying some candy wrapped in plastic and not made sustainably could add some value to my life bc I like chocolate but it’s not enough value for me to actually buy the thing often. However, I wear jeans every single day. That for me is a purchase that I don’t hate making when I have to because I will get a lot of value and use out of them especially is it’s a pair I really love. My style is definitely grandmacore/cottagecore but also just simple tshirts jeans and sandals. There’s two moods
Your way to deal with these topics, seems to me very healthy. You need not to torture yourself, to be sustainable or a minimalist. I appreceiate the way you approach consumption: with joy and of course, a few rational rules. Thanks for your commitment, for these planet. You're inspiring...
My fashion is whatever is in the plus size section at the thrift store that doesn’t make me look like I’m 99. I love when I can find things that are on the edgy side, but that doesn’t happen often.
I feel like if you’re in a thrift shop as an environmentalist it would almost be better to buy the synthetic fabrics. If you buy them, you’d probably take care of them by washing them on a cold cycle, perhaps using a microplastic filter or washing bag, etc. but if you don’t buy them, someone else will buy them and possibly not take care of them as well, or if no one buys them they’ll end up in a landfill anyway.
I see what you mean, however I am cautious with the "if I don't get it someone else will treat it worse" narrative, because it can be mentally straining in the long run. I feel like it puts a lot of weight on my shoulders, and it makes me feel responsible for other people's choices. Instead, I like to think that it is not all bad to buy these thrifted synthetics, because, as you say, we take good care of them and reduce their impact as much as possible 🌿💚
I tried the 'hanger rule' but I have a very small wardrobe so it wasn't easy to see what was hung backwards and annoying to take things out. Now I just do a round of Marie Kondo every 3 to 6 months, and sell or donate whatever I don't want anymore. Edit: I am LIVING for that purple skirt and would love to see it as a miniskirt. Maybe you can magically turn the leftovers into a matching cropped blazer?
Love the “me & Jens” alteration team. Go Team Go! Can’t wait to see what comes of the big blue skirt. Looking forward to the “before and after” video on that one… very fun project!! CUZ ya know… this high school sewing teacher loves a good project. Great video & chat Gittemary. Thanks!! 🌎💦Ⓜ️ary
I don’t follow the rule “No duplicates” especially with basics like t-shirts that have to be washed quite often. And in case I already have duplicates of things I really like I would not get rid of them In terms of versatility I try to find things that can be layered. For the most summer clothes there is just no way I could wear them in winter ❄️ and vice versa 😆 and that’s ok
I am really into linen particularly navy blue linen. Everything comes from a thrift store apart from underwear and socks (but I have bought both from a thrift store too ;) )
I agree with your thoughts on this subject, Gittemary. ♥ There is a problem that I have, though, in my own personal choices. I needed some new leggings, as I pretty much live in them, and ordered a couple pairs from a company called Box of Cotton. When they arrived, I discovered they are made of polyester!! I was so upset, because - I love them!! They are so soft and comfortable and fit really well. I'm so sad, but who would have thought something from a company called Box of Cotton would be made of polyester. I know this mistake is my responsibility, as I clearly didn't research enough into the product and the company. I am trying to improve my choices. :)
I love statement pieces and expressive fashion pieces. I think as long as you aren't buying directly from the fast fashion industry, it's absolutely ok to have a wardrobe that enables self-expression and creativity. I actually think that's *important* to have in this age of late stage capitalist drudgery. One of the things that I find often detracts from shopping at "eco" fashion shops is their very bland color palettes. Sure sometimes I like wearing a simple beige tee shirt, but sometimes I like wearing neon green flannel pattern pajama bottoms. And am in fact wearing them right now.
Even though sustainability and minimalism have a lot of things in common they are not the same thing at all, and if someone is really interested in fashion and clothes and likes to be creative with that there is absolutely nothing wrong with that I would think. For me its not something I enjoy spending time on, so I dont have a lot of clothes and I dont buy a lot, but that is more because I dont want to spend time on it.
I tried for a little while to be more minimalist. Some people talked about how it helped their mental health to not have so much clutter around them. But I just really find that in my home environment, I want to be surrounded by beautiful, interesting things. I have lots of art on my walls, I have lots of little decorative knickknacks and pretty boxes that don't serve a purpose except to make my space more visually pleasing for me
I have the service jacket my mum wore when she was my age. I never wear it, but I love taking it out to try it on sometimes. I also have a Dirndl (am Swiss/Austrian) and a vintage long dress that i just cant wear every year.
I had a no-clothes-buying-year in 2017 which is somehow extended until now. But my mom is a great seamstress and keep sending me cute Batik. Thanks mom! After realizing I only wear the same outfits, I decided to give fair treatment, rotate and wear all of them. Every morning I choose clothes from the right hand side, the ones from laundry goes to the left side. Sometimes the fancy Kebaya (traditional Indonesian clothes) turn is up, but I still wear it that day. It is not practical, but I feel fancy in my Zoom meetings at home.
If I only had one tshirt or one tank top I’d have to do laundry every day and that’s not sustainable either is it? Haha everything is gray the more you think about it, we just have to do our best with every single decision we face
I try not to thrift fast-fashion too much (like known cheap pieces, such as shein, h&m, primark etc), however, when I get hand-me-downs from friends and family and I am just happy to adopt a piece of clothing that I will wear
my aesthetic is sort of 60/60s hippy mum chic, with a heavy dose of comfort and a layer of farmer's wife (I am not a farmer's wife, though!) mostly bought second hand (I only buy shoes, socks, underwear new). I like to have lots of the same thing, because I'm not going to necessarily have washed my one t-shirt before I need to wear it again! I love a comfy flarey jersey cotton dress. Pretty much all my clothes are cotton, especially jersey cotton because it feels so nice!
I actually have a video about cotton (that also mentions polyester) and I also have a video about bamboo textiles (that also mentions other fabrics) aaaaand there is plenty of textile-talk in the impact of fashion fashion video 👌🌿
I learned how to dress from my grandmother, who favoured very simple clothes, mostly in subdued colours and natural fibres, sometimes accented with a single brightly coloured and patterened piece (usually a silk scarf) or with some jewllery. I inherited some of her scarves and jewellry, and I supplement with stuff from the thrift store or from discount clothing stores where you can get high quality clothes for about the same price as "fast" fashion. On the whole, the most ecologically friendly materials are leather, wool, silk and linen, but cotton uses a lot of water and pesticides and I avoid synthetics because they make me itch.
the problem with clothes that are plastic material/synthetic material is the production, that is massive. if we could stop producing them and just wear them until the end of times, and produce only stuff that don't release microplastics, the pollution would decrease. just reusing would do wonders for our planet, but the production would have to decrease or stop. and one thing that can help a lot with purchasing clothes, is knowing oneself, knowing your style. so you would only buy stuff you would really wear with what you already have, even if it's thrifted. and oh, even the most statement piece you can find can be versatile, if you can hold it in your style! i say that cause i'm an image consultant and the base of my work is sustainability and conscious consumerism, soooooo thank you, always, for sharing everything with us here!
I only have 1 pair of each type of shoe - sandals (1 nice pair and 1 for trekking), high heels etc. But with clothes no....too boring! I recently thrifted a vintage cross body leather bag. It had never been used, very good quality and only 1/4 of the original price. I felt so lucky - I think it will last be ages! Tak for det arbejde du gør 🤗🥰
You should do a styling video/ show us your favorite outfits because I wish I could dress like you. Also your skin looks amazing and healthy, I love it
I'm making some charges in my life to be more sustainable, such as mo fast fashion, being intentional with purchases, trying to buy only natural materials from sustainable or small brands, etc. Even through I still eat meat, I've added more plant derived proteins to my diet so that my consumption of meat is less than it was two years ago. I try to purchase things packaged sustainably, even if it means an extra dollar for the glass jar. But one thing I hated was the idea to be sustainable meant you had to "look" sustainable. Almost all the sustainable companies fall into this same anesthetic that's nice... but kinda boring if it's the only style being presented. It's hard to thrift when you are plus size, so I very rarely find second hand clothing that's made well and fits both my body and my style. So I try to look at sustainable fashion companies instead.
I'm working on making my own vintage Victorian wardrobe... by hand sewing with natural materials. Gittemary, what are your thoughts on makeup brushes? I use ECOTOOLS brand and I try to keep them as long as I can. As in up to three years or longer.
I do have many fast fashion items in my wardrobe. I wouldn't buy those today anymore, but I did 5 to 10 years ago. And surprisingly, some of them have lasted pretty long or still do. I think I could call myself a minimalist when it comes to clothing, but honestly, I just hate shopping. I don't have an eye for fashion, or good combinations, so I guess my style is pretty bland with an occasional flamboyant touch. I have jewelry, but always forget to wear them and when I do, I get annoyed by the inconvenience of them. Apart from underwear or the occasional thrifted item, I haven't bought a piece of clothing in over a year now.
What we can ethically own has more to do with how our brains function in relation to our stuff, not the actual number of items specifically. I can't stand clothing clutter. My art clutter, however. . . each thing has a purpose, a place, and a lengthy future.
Uh I felt this ✨in my core✨ haha. Clothing-clutter is a-okay with me, but I become so stressed out by kitchen clutter and mess, I can't even concentrate haha
Really cool video, we love a maximalist sustainable queen 💖 I would also be super interested what you think about leasing fashion, I am really fascinated by the concept but wonder if it's okay if you are leasing "new" fast fashion 🤔
Viscose, no-ish if i can find a better option. Tencel/modal etc. i love. Somehow i think they use less and reuse recources better than old fashioned viscose. I also like linnen, hemp, organic cotton. Absolutely not spending money on any polyester, and rather not wear it.
What is the Danish word that you used to describe how the vintage thrifted blazer with the amazing collar and stunning black cording detail on the hem makes you feel? Love your videos and your sense of humour about yourself. I find some sustainability, zero waste or vegan channels take themselves way too seriously, taking the joy out of wanting to become more conscious of our effect on our world and other creatures (including humans). People need to be inspired without feeling judged or having such high standards for perfection placed upon them that they are too afraid to make any efforts for fear of failure. Your channel inspires, is informative, fun and very engaging!! Cheers!!
I love white tops. A lot. But my level of clumsiness does not fit well with my love of white tops. I have several-tanks, tees, and my linen tops. It's a lot easier to keep them all clean with more of them.
I try to buy as much from thrift stores as possible. I avoid not only synthetic fibers because of microplastics but also printing, i.e. band shirts. I have the privilege of being able to wear jeans and tshirts to work. My wardrobe mostly consists of those. I get warm easily, so even in the winter, my base layer is an outerwear tshirt. I also need transition to many tasks at work, so thrifted jeans and tshirts mean that I'm comfortable, free to move, and don't mind getting messy. I don't own many shoes. I have leather boots that I wear year round. The last of my canvas skater sneakers, purchased new, are wearing out. I don't know what I'm going to do when those are worn through. I'm also wearing through my underpants that were purchased new. Yes, I'm even wearing out sexy drawers for daily use. I don't feel comfortable thrifting underpants or going without. I've done some half research. Certain religious cultures wear drawstring unders. I will probably look to purchase those. I'm looking to avoid elastic as well because I'm afraid that elastic releases microplastic as well.
Last winter, I got down to 3 tops and 3 bottoms. I'm now up to 7 tops (thanks to the thrift store I'm working at lol!) Too much clothing literally stresses me out (I'm thinking I have a past life or 2 as a nun or a monk lol!)
I don’t follow any of these rules... I don’t buy fast fashion but I love buying second hand stuff where I can find great vintage pieces but I am avoiding to wear polyester clothes. And I have to admit that my war is mix of second hand and luxury brands pieces.
I buy very little clothes these days, last time I bought things is because my size has changed and after two years of getting by with clothes that no longer fit I got off my asses and bought some well needed comfortable clothes. They are not trendy but I made sure I get what I like that fits me, made well enough to last. People clearly like the clothes I got because I get asked a lot where I get this shirt or that jumper, but when they hear that they're from places not considered ethical I get lectured a lot too. It really annoys me because ultimately getting what I will want to wear for years to come is better than constantly consuming. Most sustainable fashion trends are just not my thing or waaaaay to expensive for me. Like $400 for a piece of clothing, are you kidding me? I have $20 shirt I bought five years ago from a fast fashion label that I still wear today. How is that less "sustainable" than someone who buys $1000 worth of sustainable fashion every season? I also don't donate a lot of clothes. Whatever no longer fits me gets kept so when my weight flatuates again I will have clothes to wear. I don't have time to go to thrift shop because although there can be hidden gems, it's actually more time consuming to find the things I actually need from thrift shops. I found I always get less wear out of my thrifed clothing because I get more tempted to buy clothes I don't actually need from thrift shops.
I wear leg braces and instead of getting special socks I instead wear leggings. I will use them till they end up with a hole in the crotch as for whatever reason that is where they wear out first and then I upcycle the fabric to cleaning rags, reusable tissues, liners for my underwear or even a pair of underwear as I have a pair of underwear for as a pattern to copy exactly how I like for my underwear style. I am not lucky enough to find close fitting pants to wear under my braces so I have found that the $4.44 a pair of leggings at Walmart is the best choice for me. As for shirts I have found that I can get five shirts (men's, Hanes, tagless) for $20 and as the neck wear out they get the same treatment or they get turned into a bag.
As a Canadian, I would say that « capsule wardrobes » and/or « only versatile clothing » rules can not work. No amount of layering nor the perfect capsule wardrobe of 30 items or whatever can be suitable for a year. You need summer and winter and in between. And a waterproof winter jacket and a fancy one for other occasions because yes, people get married in the winter too. Nothing can accommodate +30C and -30C.
I have to admit, I have wayyyyyyy more clothes than I should :D The good thing is though that 90% of them are second hand or from sustainable clothing brands. And as long as I remember I have got old clothes from cousins or other relatives, and with one of my cousins (she is like big sis for me) we have clothes swap from time to time coz we are having similar taste and size :D Sorry about long comment, but gotta say that I love your channel Gittemary! And much love from Finland
I'm 20 and my style is mainly "everything that my mom, my dad and my grandmother no longer want" XD and I love it!
that is such a vibe 💚
Same girl, I could pull up any clothes, everybody in my life is bringing me clothes, I flip them and then they regret it jajaja
I am so HAPPY I found someone like me.....like FINALLY!!!
❤️
as an adolescent I had a MASSIVE wardrobe of thrifted clothes, but I ended up with a huge % of it not being worn. I went through a period of almost minimalism, where I donated well over half of it and started focusing on sourcing foundational pieces that I knew I would keep forever. in 2019 + 2020 I challenged myself to not buy any new clothing, only things that were second hand, and that definitely solidified my break from constantly accumulating clothes. now I've started reintroducing thrift store trips every once in a while, but I don't go out every week buying four or five new things. I feel like I've found a nice balance.
Thank you for showing a side of sustainability that doesn't prioritize absolute minimalism
Yes! While I'm admittedly not very fashionable and tend to wear the same outfits over and over again, I never understood the super strict mentality of "YOU CAN'T OWN MORE THAN 5 SHIRTS!" The irony is, in order to maintain this strict wardrobe, it encourages people to declutter constantly, which creates potential for waste, and then if they fall short of something, they have to go out an buy it, which also creates potential for waste! The stuff sitting in your home isn't harming the environment, so you can have a lot of clothes.
I love having as few clothes as possible and wearing the same outfits over and over, and I love seeing clothes lovers who wear so many cool and different combinations. Be sustainable in a way that makes you happy!
Absolutely 💚💚💚
Agree :)
My wardrobe is kind of bohemian meets girl who goes camping. I haven’t bought any clothes in about 4 years. I donated about 7 bags of clothes so I definitely downsized a bit. All the clothes I do have are mix & match. At 62, I just go to the beat of my own drum😁
We have the same wardrobe! 😂
I'm definitely on the "less is more" train. I've found that it stresses me out to have a larger quantity of clothing that just sits there because not only is it taking up literal space but I also feel like it is taking up mental space because I'm constantly reminded that things are being "wasted" in my space. That being said, I almost exclusively wear black clothing and I have stopped fighting that since it seems to be my default setting at this point, but that makes it easy for me to acquire less, since I don't feel the need to buy every funky colorful jacket that I will most likely never wear anyways.
I had a long period of time where I felt the same way, so I can absolutely relate. Now, I organise my wardrobe in a way where all the clothes for more special occassions or the things I don't plan on wearing don't take up a lot of space and are not visible, that way it is definitely easier to keep a good overview. At least this works for me. Lol have an entire drawer in my closet just for black clothes, I feel you ✨
I’m also trying to figure out how to still express myself but more sustainably and I like seeing more people breaking away from the you can only wear this one organic cotton t shirt or whatever it may be, I think it’s really cool that some people can only ever wear natural materials/etc but I also feel a lot more me in my thrifted/small business alternative clothing and my (unfortunately fast fashion at the time) platform boots I’ve had for 5/6 years and still wear every time I go out, I know a lot of people don’t want to feel like they’re “sacrificing” their style for sustainability by not buying fast fashion, but there’s so many other ways to have your own sense of style without supporting fast fashion! and especially in videos like this I feel like this can reach those people so they feel more obligated to look into doing things more sustainably than just writing it off because they “don’t want to only wear one of everything” if that’s the only sustainable fashion content they see
Absolutely, I still see this idea that if we boycott fast fashion we also sacrifice, as you say, our ability to express our individual styles. Which is so untrue, but we're often so used to being able to get our clothes so cheaply, and quickly, that other options seem impossible. Learning how to explore style and self-expression sustainably though, is one of the most rewarding things I've ever learned 🌿 (ps I also have old fast fashion purchases that I routinely wear, getting as much use out of them as possible is the most sustainable thing we can do)
My style is corporate chic, sometimes upper Hampton chic, thrifted most of the time, sometimes homemade (I sew and I crochet). I had never thought of the sustainable aspect of my wardrobe until I came across your channel, so thank you for opening my eyes!
I appreciate your critical thinking and your creative wardrobe. I wonder how long we would all remain clothed if we did not make any new clothing and only recycled and wore our things completely out.
I keep patching up, mending, painting, dyeing the clothes I have. I don’t know what sustainable fashion rules are but I’m having fun keeping the clothes I have as long as I can.
That's sounds perfect 👌
I am trying to" renew" my clothes also.. It's really fun to do it ✌️😉
I sold/donated most of my clothing trying to be more minimalist (partly bc of the trend, partly mental health, partly sustainability) and boooy do I regret it. My style changes so much, my work life changes, etc. and I found myself buying again many of the things I gave away bc I needed them for work or I wanted them. Now I keep anything I sorta like, especially if it was gifted and would've been thrown away otherwise. It occuppies more space and it's less relaxing but it's worth it.
I so love the fact that you are, once again "coming out" as more of maximalist than a minimalist. There has been such a wave of minimalism and that was the only goal, because that would make you live a completely sustainable life. I tried during lockdown to go for that lifestyle but in truth... it. is. not. me. as a person.
I dont like minimalism. I dont like limits and I dont like to throw away things that can either be recycled, up-cycled or just used later on. I just lost 14kg´s in about 6 months. Nothing fits anymore - but I also know that I will probably gain some again (it´s partly due to being sick. I went through mu wardrobe over the last few weeks (aaagain) and have sorted out 3 bags which I was going to donate... but honestly? We know that so much goes to landfill even from the thrift- og charity shops and maybe I need a selection for when I gain again. You know, more than 5 pieces in neutrals (not that I own a neutral of any kind) but something I would actually wear so that I dont just get rid of it and then go and buy a bunc of new things to fill up my closet. It would make no sence as I dont follow trends anyway. It´s been "bad" enough financially and practically to have to replace everything over the past couple of months, it would just be stupid to get rid of all the other stuff when I will likely move closer to those sizes again.
And honestly; I just love to play around with clothes, styling etc. Probably 95% of my wardrobe is thrifted and I feel good about it. At least I "saved" some things from going to landfill by buying and using them.
i do the same.
previously i would donate things that didn't fit me. And then end up having to buy all over again. Due medication my size fluctuates quite a bit.
Now i think of it as having jeans in multiple sizes for when my waist size fluctuates. The jeans that don't currently fit, get up away, so they don't take up mental or physical space - but i know that they are then, when i need them again.
It also really helps me to focus less on what size currently fits - because they're all my jeans. So less negative size and body focus and more thinking of the functionality of which ones work right now.
Uh I can soooo relate, my weights has me shifting through sizes, especially for bottoms quite a lot,, and it has taken me time to accept that it is okay to keep something clothes that might fit 100% perfectly now, but I know they will in a year 💚🌿
I've also been through the size change issue in the last 5-6 years. I've lost weight in the past but then gained weight and learnt to be comfortable with whatever my body looks like. And I just don't throw away or donate any of my clothes anymore. Why buy more when you can just use what you already have?
I love this. I was very influenced by the minimalist movement a few years ago and 1) still remember with regret getting rid of certain items 2) always hated the minimalist aesthetic.
I am seeing so much instances of toxic mindsets in the minimalism community, it's sad! Glad other people experience the same. I find some aspects really appealing, but came to realise that you can apparently be minimalist and consumerist at the same time. Yat a lot of minimalist people like to equate the two and judge people for owning things. You can own a stuff without buying any of it, you know?
Great video. If people are trying their best to be more sustainable, that's what matters. Progress over perfection!
Regarding minimalism, I think it has been turned into owning as little as possible when my interpretation is only owning things that truly bring you joy and/or serve a purpose. It's to find a balance for you so things don't dominate your life. From my personal journey into sustainability, I started by only wearing neutrals... and I hated it! I love earth and jewel tones, and lots of different styles. But you can bet it is all thrifted and works for my body and lifestyle ;)
Yeah, I'm a big maximalist, but the majority of my things have been acquired over time, from gifts to thrift stores, to pieces I buy directly from artisans and makers. My house is like a menagerie and that diversity of artistic expression honestly brings me a lot of joy.
I don't hate minimalism, and I can see some of the appeal for some people, but I hate when people want to push it as the one thing you need to strive for, because minimalism to me screams of waste. You curate your closet or home so much that you switch out objects in and out of your life yearly, like a phone, doing closet purges, and house purges. Like, yes declutter, but when your life revolves around bulk buying and bulk purging that reads like a bigger issue to me. Instead learning how to keep and reuse things and wear them out till there's absolutely no use sounds like a better way to me
Great video! It's interesting to hear that you avoid fast fashion and look for vintage clothing. I used to do the same but now I just buy what I know I'll wear and only natural fabrics. Some fast fashion brands I completely ignore (Primark, H&M, PLT, etc.) but others (COS, Zara) I'm OK with because the clothing tends to be decently made and more likely to be cotton. Vintage clothing is often well made but from synthetic materials, which I hate wearing and will shed plastic. I also think the 30 wears principle is a good one for making sure the clothes we buy (new or thrifted) are actually worn, even if that's only once a year for special occasions. The point is we should be wearing what we have not always shopping for new items.
I've also changed my mind recently in this area. Sometimes is not what you do but how you do it. Is hoarding resources mindlessly sustainable? No. Is valuing things that make you (and thereby the people and world around you) happy sustainable? Yes.
Couldn't have said it better myself 💚🌿
So agree with this! I am not a minimalist when it comes to fashion but I do the same as you and thrift most of my clothing and also have kept my pieces for a very long time. I enjoy expressing myself through fashion and I have felt so so so guilty about it as a “zero waster”. Great video as always💚💚💚👍🥰
I have brought fewer and fewer clothes over the last 2 years. But i am honest, if i see a piece of h&m clothing i like, i'll buy it. I still look for second hand 70% of the time, but if i wear it for years on, there is nothing wrong with me buying something fast fashioned. I am also petit so many second-hand clothes dont fit me right and i cant mend or resize all clothing i buy. One of my Forever 21 Skirts is 5 years old and i wear it monthly.
I agree with you on a lot of these. I try to only hold onto what I wear, but I fluctuate sizes so I hold onto a few things for when my body inevitably bounces between sizes. Additionally, I have some formal items like dresses and jumpsuits that I wear to weddings and funerals which don’t necessarily happen every single year. Same goes for the thirty wears - I try to wear every day items over and over again but I consider wearing a formal item 5-10 times a win, especially when I don’t necessarily want to wear the same dress to every single wedding I go to.
In terms of natural fibers, I gravitate towards those for everyday items but not necessarily for things that are washed less often like outerwear, tennis shoes, athletic wear, swimsuits, formal clothing, and accessories like scarves. When thrifting, I generally don’t pay too much attention to material unless I’m looking for specifics like silk, cashmere, or linen. I also will buy leather second hand or in my favorite shoes like Birkenstock’s and blundstones, especially since plastic leather isn’t much better and animal leather is currently considered a byproduct of waste material, though I tend to avoid new leather and fur because I don’t like animal agriculture.
This is such a good video! A couple years ago I donated a very sentimental piece of clothing just because it was made of polyester. And while I certainly wouldn’t wear it every day, I would buy it back in a heartbeat now if I came across it again as my style has evolved. Minimalism works well for me for everyday items, but there’s room for once in awhile special items too!
I feel like this video just lifted a bit of weight off my shoulders, I always feel a bit pressured whenever I hear about minimalist & sustainable fashion rules that I don't follow. My wardrobe consists of 95% thrifted clothes, I like to describe my style as "a forest fairy", I love earthy colours like browns and greens and flowy skirts and dresses. I have many green maxi dresses and I love them so much, I could never just have one of them, they're all my favourites 🍃💚
I got unreasonably excited when you were talking about your mom's wedding dress because I also got married in a red dress with red shoes.
I do tend more toward minimalism, I get easily overwhelmed by a messy space and with small children things get messy so quickly if there's very much 'extra' anything. I definitely don't think it's something everyone needs to do though.
Uh I love that 😍
I agree. Anything thrifted / second hand is fair game as long as (1) you'll use it and (2) you don't have so much stuff that it's stressing you out. I think that level will be different for everyone depending on the storage available to them and how much "clutter" they can handle before it bothers them.
It's funny I went to a thrift store and bought this purple Kate Spade sunglasses. Another time I bought this Kate Spade wallet and the next time a Kate Spade beautiful tote bag. Put them together onetime and just realized I had a matching combo. Who knew......love.....love thrifting
I agree! I have A LOT of clothes, but most of it is thrifted or vintage. I just love fashion and styling outfits and express myself through my clothes. But i don't give money to fast fashion, so i don't see a problem. Minimalism is just not really my jam ;) but sustainabilty is!
I agree that viscose/rayon is so convoluted! Things like tencel or other brands which use the lyocell method are arguably more sustainable (they re-use the chemicals and don’t dump them into the ocean) but that isn’t common knowledge! In Europe they’re starting to get stricter with fabric certifications but we have a lot of work to do in Canada and the us
Can you make a video about caring for pets sustainable?
I would love to see how you reduce the waste that your dog produce (food packaging, ...)
I have two cats🐱🥰
That would be a great topic! I have a dog & there's 5 cats in my house
Oh yes! That woud be so cool!
I would love that too! I have 2 cats and a dog and all I'm able to do is buy the largest package of food I can afford
It is on its way 😍😍
I’ve been doing the hanger rule before I started my sustainability journey and it personally works for me but when I get to the end of the year I look through all the things and decide if I want to keep things or not and most of them I do keep and it works more of a reminder to wear that item more ( it’s like shopping my own wardrobe 😆 ) but sometimes theirs things I see and think “yeh I won’t wear that again” it helps making organising and decluttering less overwhelming for me :) different things works for different people and it’s great to see the different opinions and ways others do things!
I also used it a couple of times in the beginning of my sustainable journey, so it can absolutely be a great tool to help us unlearn previous consumer-patterns. Personally, I stopped doing it, after I had learned what I could from it, for me it was a good starting tool ✨
@@Gittemary I’m still building my wardrobe so it’s quite helpful to me at the moment while I’m bringing in new second hand items, recently joined a clothes swap group in Facebook so clearing out things I know I won’t wear and swap it for an item I’d love is my favourite thing!
As long as it hurts no one else or d planet...anything goes
Esp if what u use is sourced responsibly.
A lot of eco minimalist ideas stem from the need to reduce visual and mental clutter..if u find a pile of good items in ur wardrobe u have no intention of using then let it go
Conversely if u enjoy the mayhem and thrill of creating outfits from random pieces u should definitely keep it
U do u
I couldn't agree more. I don't want my sustainable lifestyle to be complicated. I do want to be mindful and have guide lines but not if it is going to stress me out.
Super helpful video! Definitely recognisable to feel guilty about buying something that you already have (i.e. a bag, shoes, etc). Something I needed to hear!
You just made my day get better .
I love your honesty !!
Thank you for the support !
I myself used some of these rules as stepping stones when starting my sustainability journey. Now years later, I have a much better sense of self and my wardrobe is able to reflect that, so I don't really follow any rules anymore. I do like to practice mindful shopping habits thought, since I still have a compulsive shopping issue.
I did the same, which is also why I have come to see how some of them might work for me, but in the long run some of them don't. They have all, however, played a really important part in how I've unlearned my past consumer-patterns. They are great tools to get started, when changing habits, but overtime, when we have learned how to be mindful and make more sustainable choices, it is completely time to outgrow them and do things sustainably, but differently ✨
Love this! I've always loved creative fashion and agree that those plain, functional separates so many of the minimalists wear, while they look nice on them, just feel boring to me! As for what's "natural," it seems to me that if the clothing could be composted and not leave any pollutants behind, that ought to be natural enough. I like your idea of only using synthetics to make a temporary statement so that you don't have to wash them much. Makes sense!
Vintage Maven here! I love thrifting and antique markets and local creators, as well.
I agree with your points about there being a different version of sustainability for everyone, and I also want to share that when I tried a no-buy year I found it made me MORE creative to have that boundary, rather than less. Like, wanting a scarf but realizing I could use a line towel or a blanket for the same purpose instead. Or wanting a white dress and realizing I could use a curtain and wrap it around myself. It made me resourceful to work with a small amount of things I already had.
I love thrifting and love having multiples because I have a very set style now and know what I love and what I will wear. And multiples mean I don’t have to wash things as often. I do like buying some things new. For example, I have a favorite type of sun glasses. Made for running. But they are also very fashionable and good quality. I have the current pair I’ve had for over 5 years and they are going strong. But I want some new styles and colors to mix things up. But it’s something I couldn’t buy used.
With the knowledge that only very, very few clothing items that are donated can actually be resold, and most donated things get thrown away.... I was very careful when I recently cleaned out my closet. It is not at all sustainable if I donate a bag of clothes because I don't like them anymore and I wish to appear sustainable by having a capsule wardrobe, but only 1 of 10 items gets resold and the rest is thrown away, but I don't feel guilty about it because someone else did the throwing away. If you can directly sell or gift your clothing items, so you KNOW someone will actually continue to wear them, that's great! Otherwise I think it's better to keep some "questionable" items; maybe you can make some alterations (I did that to a couple of items and I love them again now), maybe you can wear them as PJs, maybe someone you know (or you) will like them again down the line. Some of the rules mentioned are great concepts to keep in mind when bringing new items into your home! But when applying them to your existing wardrobe, getting rid of otherwise fine items should be carefully considered if you can't guarantee that they are getting a second life. SO I really appreciate your take, Gittemary
I love the points you make in this video. Most of my clothes (and my daughters) are second hand so there was no demand for new items to be made. I think it's good to have a wardrobe that suits your lifestyle and self-expression, where you live, and that makes you happy. As long as you're doing the best you can, that's what matters.
I’m an ecominimalist but I still understand your point of view, sustainability can look very differently depending on the person
Exactly, we are free to choose whatever path or aesthetic we want, as long as we are trying to be as mindful and conscious as possible it's all good 💚
Oh thats first blazer that you got from your mom is fabulous! I love it!
I think it’s important to realize that minimal does not automatically equal sustainable. It can, because you are buying less. However if you are constantly replacing and buying new things and getting rid of old ones but you still have a small amount of things is that still minimalism? I think this is really important to think about. As for me, I try to only buy things when I need them or they would add a lot of value to my life. For example buying some candy wrapped in plastic and not made sustainably could add some value to my life bc I like chocolate but it’s not enough value for me to actually buy the thing often. However, I wear jeans every single day. That for me is a purchase that I don’t hate making when I have to because I will get a lot of value and use out of them especially is it’s a pair I really love. My style is definitely grandmacore/cottagecore but also just simple tshirts jeans and sandals. There’s two moods
Your way to deal with these topics, seems to me very healthy. You need not to torture yourself, to be sustainable or a minimalist.
I appreceiate the way you approach consumption: with joy and of course, a few rational rules.
Thanks for your commitment, for these planet. You're inspiring...
My fashion is whatever is in the plus size section at the thrift store that doesn’t make me look like I’m 99. I love when I can find things that are on the edgy side, but that doesn’t happen often.
I feel like if you’re in a thrift shop as an environmentalist it would almost be better to buy the synthetic fabrics. If you buy them, you’d probably take care of them by washing them on a cold cycle, perhaps using a microplastic filter or washing bag, etc. but if you don’t buy them, someone else will buy them and possibly not take care of them as well, or if no one buys them they’ll end up in a landfill anyway.
I see what you mean, however I am cautious with the "if I don't get it someone else will treat it worse" narrative, because it can be mentally straining in the long run. I feel like it puts a lot of weight on my shoulders, and it makes me feel responsible for other people's choices. Instead, I like to think that it is not all bad to buy these thrifted synthetics, because, as you say, we take good care of them and reduce their impact as much as possible 🌿💚
I tried the 'hanger rule' but I have a very small wardrobe so it wasn't easy to see what was hung backwards and annoying to take things out. Now I just do a round of Marie Kondo every 3 to 6 months, and sell or donate whatever I don't want anymore.
Edit: I am LIVING for that purple skirt and would love to see it as a miniskirt. Maybe you can magically turn the leftovers into a matching cropped blazer?
Love the “me & Jens” alteration team. Go Team Go! Can’t wait to see what comes of the big blue skirt. Looking forward to the “before and after” video on that one… very fun project!! CUZ ya know… this high school sewing teacher loves a good project. Great video & chat Gittemary. Thanks!! 🌎💦Ⓜ️ary
I don’t follow the rule “No duplicates” especially with basics like t-shirts that have to be washed quite often. And in case I already have duplicates of things I really like I would not get rid of them
In terms of versatility I try to find things that can be layered. For the most summer clothes there is just no way I could wear them in winter ❄️ and vice versa 😆 and that’s ok
I am really into linen particularly navy blue linen. Everything comes from a thrift store apart from underwear and socks (but I have bought both from a thrift store too ;) )
the crop top and skirt set sounds super cute!!! ❤️💕💗💓
Thank you. Often we are influenced by these rules and this video was a good reminder we don't have to fully follow them. Love your channel!!
I agree with your thoughts on this subject, Gittemary. ♥
There is a problem that I have, though, in my own personal choices. I needed some new leggings, as I pretty much live in them, and ordered a couple pairs from a company called Box of Cotton. When they arrived, I discovered they are made of polyester!! I was so upset, because - I love them!! They are so soft and comfortable and fit really well. I'm so sad, but who would have thought something from a company called Box of Cotton would be made of polyester. I know this mistake is my responsibility, as I clearly didn't research enough into the product and the company. I am trying to improve my choices. :)
I love statement pieces and expressive fashion pieces. I think as long as you aren't buying directly from the fast fashion industry, it's absolutely ok to have a wardrobe that enables self-expression and creativity. I actually think that's *important* to have in this age of late stage capitalist drudgery. One of the things that I find often detracts from shopping at "eco" fashion shops is their very bland color palettes. Sure sometimes I like wearing a simple beige tee shirt, but sometimes I like wearing neon green flannel pattern pajama bottoms. And am in fact wearing them right now.
I love your wardrobe (what I see of it online obv)Thrifting is a great way to reuse things
Even though sustainability and minimalism have a lot of things in common they are not the same thing at all, and if someone is really interested in fashion and clothes and likes to be creative with that there is absolutely nothing wrong with that I would think.
For me its not something I enjoy spending time on, so I dont have a lot of clothes and I dont buy a lot, but that is more because I dont want to spend time on it.
I tried for a little while to be more minimalist. Some people talked about how it helped their mental health to not have so much clutter around them. But I just really find that in my home environment, I want to be surrounded by beautiful, interesting things. I have lots of art on my walls, I have lots of little decorative knickknacks and pretty boxes that don't serve a purpose except to make my space more visually pleasing for me
I have the service jacket my mum wore when she was my age. I never wear it, but I love taking it out to try it on sometimes. I also have a Dirndl (am Swiss/Austrian) and a vintage long dress that i just cant wear every year.
I had a no-clothes-buying-year in 2017 which is somehow extended until now. But my mom is a great seamstress and keep sending me cute Batik. Thanks mom!
After realizing I only wear the same outfits, I decided to give fair treatment, rotate and wear all of them. Every morning I choose clothes from the right hand side, the ones from laundry goes to the left side. Sometimes the fancy Kebaya (traditional Indonesian clothes) turn is up, but I still wear it that day. It is not practical, but I feel fancy in my Zoom meetings at home.
If I only had one tshirt or one tank top I’d have to do laundry every day and that’s not sustainable either is it? Haha everything is gray the more you think about it, we just have to do our best with every single decision we face
I try not to thrift fast-fashion too much (like known cheap pieces, such as shein, h&m, primark etc), however, when I get hand-me-downs from friends and family and I am just happy to adopt a piece of clothing that I will wear
I generally only have one of each thing, except for plaids. I now have three thrifted mens plaids, but they're all different 😋
my aesthetic is sort of 60/60s hippy mum chic, with a heavy dose of comfort and a layer of farmer's wife (I am not a farmer's wife, though!) mostly bought second hand (I only buy shoes, socks, underwear new). I like to have lots of the same thing, because I'm not going to necessarily have washed my one t-shirt before I need to wear it again! I love a comfy flarey jersey cotton dress. Pretty much all my clothes are cotton, especially jersey cotton because it feels so nice!
I'd love a video on clothing materials! Each textile explained just like you mentioned viscose here, it was so interesting 😮
My thoughts exactly!
I actually have a video about cotton (that also mentions polyester) and I also have a video about bamboo textiles (that also mentions other fabrics) aaaaand there is plenty of textile-talk in the impact of fashion fashion video 👌🌿
Sustainable living is best living in my opinion 🥰
I learned how to dress from my grandmother, who favoured very simple clothes, mostly in subdued colours and natural fibres, sometimes accented with a single brightly coloured and patterened piece (usually a silk scarf) or with some jewllery. I inherited some of her scarves and jewellry, and I supplement with stuff from the thrift store or from discount clothing stores where you can get high quality clothes for about the same price as "fast" fashion. On the whole, the most ecologically friendly materials are leather, wool, silk and linen, but cotton uses a lot of water and pesticides and I avoid synthetics because they make me itch.
the problem with clothes that are plastic material/synthetic material is the production, that is massive. if we could stop producing them and just wear them until the end of times, and produce only stuff that don't release microplastics, the pollution would decrease. just reusing would do wonders for our planet, but the production would have to decrease or stop.
and one thing that can help a lot with purchasing clothes, is knowing oneself, knowing your style. so you would only buy stuff you would really wear with what you already have, even if it's thrifted.
and oh, even the most statement piece you can find can be versatile, if you can hold it in your style! i say that cause i'm an image consultant and the base of my work is sustainability and conscious consumerism, soooooo thank you, always, for sharing everything with us here!
I only have 1 pair of each type of shoe - sandals (1 nice pair and 1 for trekking), high heels etc. But with clothes no....too boring! I recently thrifted a vintage cross body leather bag. It had never been used, very good quality and only 1/4 of the original price. I felt so lucky - I think it will last be ages!
Tak for det arbejde du gør 🤗🥰
You should do a styling video/ show us your favorite outfits because I wish I could dress like you. Also your skin looks amazing and healthy, I love it
I'm making some charges in my life to be more sustainable, such as mo fast fashion, being intentional with purchases, trying to buy only natural materials from sustainable or small brands, etc. Even through I still eat meat, I've added more plant derived proteins to my diet so that my consumption of meat is less than it was two years ago. I try to purchase things packaged sustainably, even if it means an extra dollar for the glass jar. But one thing I hated was the idea to be sustainable meant you had to "look" sustainable. Almost all the sustainable companies fall into this same anesthetic that's nice... but kinda boring if it's the only style being presented. It's hard to thrift when you are plus size, so I very rarely find second hand clothing that's made well and fits both my body and my style. So I try to look at sustainable fashion companies instead.
Wow... sorry for all those spelling mistakes...
You are killing me every time you show these rose heels 😭😭😭 I want them so bad!
I'm working on making my own vintage Victorian wardrobe... by hand sewing with natural materials. Gittemary, what are your thoughts on makeup brushes? I use ECOTOOLS brand and I try to keep them as long as I can. As in up to three years or longer.
I personally would love more tips on versatile and transeasonal clothes!
Love your ideas on this! I'm trying to become more expressive with my outfits and you're one of my inspirations for fashion. Love your content💛
I do have many fast fashion items in my wardrobe. I wouldn't buy those today anymore, but I did 5 to 10 years ago. And surprisingly, some of them have lasted pretty long or still do. I think I could call myself a minimalist when it comes to clothing, but honestly, I just hate shopping. I don't have an eye for fashion, or good combinations, so I guess my style is pretty bland with an occasional flamboyant touch. I have jewelry, but always forget to wear them and when I do, I get annoyed by the inconvenience of them. Apart from underwear or the occasional thrifted item, I haven't bought a piece of clothing in over a year now.
What we can ethically own has more to do with how our brains function in relation to our stuff, not the actual number of items specifically.
I can't stand clothing clutter. My art clutter, however. . . each thing has a purpose, a place, and a lengthy future.
Uh I felt this ✨in my core✨ haha. Clothing-clutter is a-okay with me, but I become so stressed out by kitchen clutter and mess, I can't even concentrate haha
Really cool video, we love a maximalist sustainable queen 💖 I would also be super interested what you think about leasing fashion, I am really fascinated by the concept but wonder if it's okay if you are leasing "new" fast fashion 🤔
I like your opinion about this and I'd like to have more clothes in my wardrobe, but I'll get in only thrifted :)
Viscose, no-ish if i can find a better option. Tencel/modal etc. i love. Somehow i think they use less and reuse recources better than old fashioned viscose. I also like linnen, hemp, organic cotton. Absolutely not spending money on any polyester, and rather not wear it.
What is the Danish word that you used to describe how the vintage thrifted blazer with the amazing collar and stunning black cording detail on the hem makes you feel? Love your videos and your sense of humour about yourself. I find some sustainability, zero waste or vegan channels take themselves way too seriously, taking the joy out of wanting to become more conscious of our effect on our world and other creatures (including humans). People need to be inspired without feeling judged or having such high standards for perfection placed upon them that they are too afraid to make any efforts for fear of failure. Your channel inspires, is informative, fun and very engaging!! Cheers!!
Cant wait to see the blue skirt transformed!
i think that no statement pieces just would wipe out my personal style altogether, i swear statements on the daily
OMG you are so reasonable! I love your content and your way of sustainability ❤
I love white tops. A lot. But my level of clumsiness does not fit well with my love of white tops. I have several-tanks, tees, and my linen tops. It's a lot easier to keep them all clean with more of them.
I try to buy as much from thrift stores as possible. I avoid not only synthetic fibers because of microplastics but also printing, i.e. band shirts. I have the privilege of being able to wear jeans and tshirts to work. My wardrobe mostly consists of those. I get warm easily, so even in the winter, my base layer is an outerwear tshirt. I also need transition to many tasks at work, so thrifted jeans and tshirts mean that I'm comfortable, free to move, and don't mind getting messy. I don't own many shoes. I have leather boots that I wear year round. The last of my canvas skater sneakers, purchased new, are wearing out. I don't know what I'm going to do when those are worn through.
I'm also wearing through my underpants that were purchased new. Yes, I'm even wearing out sexy drawers for daily use. I don't feel comfortable thrifting underpants or going without. I've done some half research. Certain religious cultures wear drawstring unders. I will probably look to purchase those. I'm looking to avoid elastic as well because I'm afraid that elastic releases microplastic as well.
Last winter, I got down to 3 tops and 3 bottoms. I'm now up to 7 tops (thanks to the thrift store I'm working at lol!) Too much clothing literally stresses me out (I'm thinking I have a past life or 2 as a nun or a monk lol!)
I don’t follow any of these rules... I don’t buy fast fashion but I love buying second hand stuff where I can find great vintage pieces but I am avoiding to wear polyester clothes. And I have to admit that my war is mix of second hand and luxury brands pieces.
I buy very little clothes these days, last time I bought things is because my size has changed and after two years of getting by with clothes that no longer fit I got off my asses and bought some well needed comfortable clothes. They are not trendy but I made sure I get what I like that fits me, made well enough to last. People clearly like the clothes I got because I get asked a lot where I get this shirt or that jumper, but when they hear that they're from places not considered ethical I get lectured a lot too. It really annoys me because ultimately getting what I will want to wear for years to come is better than constantly consuming. Most sustainable fashion trends are just not my thing or waaaaay to expensive for me. Like $400 for a piece of clothing, are you kidding me? I have $20 shirt I bought five years ago from a fast fashion label that I still wear today. How is that less "sustainable" than someone who buys $1000 worth of sustainable fashion every season?
I also don't donate a lot of clothes. Whatever no longer fits me gets kept so when my weight flatuates again I will have clothes to wear. I don't have time to go to thrift shop because although there can be hidden gems, it's actually more time consuming to find the things I actually need from thrift shops. I found I always get less wear out of my thrifed clothing because I get more tempted to buy clothes I don't actually need from thrift shops.
If I only had one T-Shirt, I'd have to wash it constantly and would never be able to fill up a whole washingmachine. That just wouldn't make any sense
Me and Jens are going to turn it into a skater skirt and crop top set.. Girl you KNOW you just mean Jens... :P xx
busted 😂
The way she said:
"Okay" and "I can't wait to fall on my ass in these shoes"
made me laugh.
I wear leg braces and instead of getting special socks I instead wear leggings. I will use them till they end up with a hole in the crotch as for whatever reason that is where they wear out first and then I upcycle the fabric to cleaning rags, reusable tissues, liners for my underwear or even a pair of underwear as I have a pair of underwear for as a pattern to copy exactly how I like for my underwear style. I am not lucky enough to find close fitting pants to wear under my braces so I have found that the $4.44 a pair of leggings at Walmart is the best choice for me. As for shirts I have found that I can get five shirts (men's, Hanes, tagless) for $20 and as the neck wear out they get the same treatment or they get turned into a bag.
love it so much, you are so right
thanks
I'd say im like 6/10 tshirts. I'm willing to wear the same outfit like once every two weeks but not every day.
Please turn the purple skirt into your version of a wedding dress!
Yes!!! Same here!
As a Canadian, I would say that « capsule wardrobes » and/or « only versatile clothing » rules can not work. No amount of layering nor the perfect capsule wardrobe of 30 items or whatever can be suitable for a year. You need summer and winter and in between. And a waterproof winter jacket and a fancy one for other occasions because yes, people get married in the winter too. Nothing can accommodate +30C and -30C.
I don’t have a rule about it but I live in a vw bus so I have to keep it small.
Lol! I love your vibe!
I have to admit, I have wayyyyyyy more clothes than I should :D The good thing is though that 90% of them are second hand or from sustainable clothing brands. And as long as I remember I have got old clothes from cousins or other relatives, and with one of my cousins (she is like big sis for me) we have clothes swap from time to time coz we are having similar taste and size :D Sorry about long comment, but gotta say that I love your channel Gittemary! And much love from Finland
Very true in what she just said👍❤️🌏