My go-to sustainable wardrobe basics
Cargo pants, crop tops, & loafers, oh my! As far as I can remember, I’ve been a trendy girl. In elementary school you could catch me playing four square in my chunky Etnies and in high school I was rocking Hollister graphic tees (hey, I didn’t say I followed the right trends!). Today, I own my fair share of Dr. Martens, blazers, & 90’s jeans. Fashion is fun!
But as I began to learn more about nontoxic & sustainable living, I quickly realized that my closet needed some attention. In today’s “fast fashion” society, retailers manufacture millions of flimsy, new products every day to profit off the latest trends. This mass production of cheap, toxic (& mostly synthetic) materials is estimated to make up 10% of all carbon emissions (ahhh!), and continues to pollute the oceans and local water sources.
Absolutely heartbreaking! And sadly I can say I’ve fallen for so many of these fast fashion trends. I want to do better. One of the first steps I took in building a more sustainable closet was to research fabrics. What fabrics to avoid (synthetic fibers like polyester, acrylic & nylon) and the types of fabrics I should be looking for in clothing (plant based products like organic cotton, silk & lyocell).
It’s safe to say that it will take some time for me to transition to a fully sustainable closet. But there are a few easy things I’ve started to do to take some steps in the right direction. Now, every time I go to buy a new item, I take a look at the materials tag. Somewhat surprisingly, even the higher end shops carry mostly synthetic clothing. I shop more confidently now knowing that the item I’m buying is a quality material that will last.
I was also encouraged to see that I already owned a variety of nontoxic, natural clothes. Jeans, cotton tees, & silk tanks are all great, sustainable staples that can be worn again and again. I also discovered & fell in love with a few clothing brands who have sustainability at the heart of their company. I’ll be sharing a few of my favorite sustainable basics (& lovable brands) below!
Perfect Baby Tee
When I mentioned falling in love with clothing brands, Reformation is definitely top of that list. I’ve been shopping Reformation for years, but only recently learned what they’re doing from a sustainability standpoint. This classic, feminine brand (with ultra flattering styles) has been carbon neutral since 2015, and aims to be carbon positive by 2025! Goals. Their Muse Tee is one of my go-to tops that I have in 3 different colors. It’s made of 98% organic cotton & 3% spandex. They also have fun graphic prints & seasonal variations like the pointelle tee (I love!).
Goes-with-anything Tank
While Anthropologie may be categorized as a fast fashion brand (controversial?), they offer many quality, classic pieces. Their Maeve Cropped Racerback Tank quickly became one of my faves and is made up of cotton & spandex. It’s breathable, but not too thin and holds up well in the wash (I like to air dry mine). I pair mine with mom jeans & sneakers, but it would look cute dressed up with a skirt & heels. Versatility is an important factor when building a sustainable closet!
Classic Straight Jean
What style jeans are in this week? Straight leg, low-rise, kick flare? They’re all cute! But I’m learning something important when it comes to jeans: I only need a few good pairs for the year. Earlier this Spring, I invested in Agolde’s Riley High Rise Straight Crop (my faves!) & their 90’s Crop Mid Rise Loose Fit (made of 100% organic cotton!). I’ve worn them more times than I could count, and they still look & feel amazing. I always look for jeans that are 100% cotton (or a natural blend) and I’ve found that Agolde & Levi’s have lots of great options to choose from. They also do a good job at keeping up with this year’s trends!
Worn-in Jean Shorts
I’ve found my favorite pair of jean shorts EVER. Agolde’s Parker Long Vintage Shorts are the shorts I wore almost every day this Summer. They’re long enough for a young mom like me to feel comfortable wearing, but just short enough so I still feel cute too. The waist has a perfect “comfy” fit that doesn’t squeeze when I sit down, but still stays in place when I’m on the go (& similar to Agolde’s jeans, these are made out of 100% cotton yay!). One of my other all-time favorite jean shorts are Levi’s 501 High-Rise Denim Shorts - they’re also made of 100% cotton and have a timeless, flattering fit.
Little Black Dress
If you’re looking for the perfect date night dress, look no further. Aritzia’s New Saturn Mini Dress is made up of 90% responsibly harvested viscose & 10% elastane, and fits like a dream! The second I put this one on, my mouth dropped. I felt like a million bucks! So soft, flattering, and well made. If you have a bit of a higher budget, Reformation’s dresses are all sustainably made & they have the BEST off-the-rack perfectly tailored fits in my opinion.
I’m looking forward to my new & improved relationship with fashion. I’ll always be a trendy girl, but I hope to be a more responsible one going forward. I’m encouraged to know there are companies out there who truly care about our health, and the health of our environment. Let’s celebrate them, and support them where we can (& look cute doing it)!
til next time,
Becks