Lately, I’ve shifted my view

on how I want to approach sustainable fashion due to my current phase in life — I’m a fresh-out-of-college new hire at a performance marketing agency who also just moved into a new apartment, living completely through my own financial means with little to spend. As someone who is very dramatic, this has taken a toll on my happiness (I love fashion and buying things, okay? Partly, it’s materialistic I admit, but mostly it’s a restriction to my expression of self).

Since it’s been taking a huge toll on my happiness (I know, dramatic), I’ve decided to take a step back and remind myself that buying sustainable fashion at the rate that I am may not be reducing the impact of one of the most polluting industries as much as I’d like. If you think about it, much of the industry still uses a hybrid of sustainable materials and toxic, non-biodegradable materials. This is because of a lack of innovative materials, processes, high costs of the use of sustainable material, and more.

Granted, it’s much better than shopping at that rate for fast-fashion items like I used to, a true and valid point, but at this early stage in my career in which I should be saving, I’ve decided to take a step back and just chill — I really don’t need the cutest thing out there right now, even though sometimes I really think I’ll die without it. It’s better for my mental (to quit obsessing over the next item), better for the environment (by reducing my consumption), and better for my wallet.

So from now on, I’ll be limited in what I buy — to at most, two fashion items per month, and take a year saving for, you know, things like a car, a bigger apartment or a home, marriage, retirement, savings in case of recession, other things my generation is f*cked for, etc. (Note how I didn’t say skincare — I can’t give up my skincare routine). Please — someone keep me accountable throughout this process! I get really tempted sometimes.

So how will I approach blogging?

There are still ways to go about sharing my love and limited knowledge for sustainable living without showing you what clothes I bought. I’m sure people would prefer valuable tips into living a sustainable life rather than me pushing you to buy something. But for those who love to shop the next trend in a sustainable way, no worries, there’s content like this that will still have just that. I still do love being on top of trends while still trying to maintain a timeless style. But other than that, I’ll be trying to share valuable tips, brand spotlights, and other sustainability-related news.

A Balancing Act

I know a lot of us who want to pursue sustainability may be in the same financial boat — sustainability, with reason, is expensive. And sometimes it helps more to not buy than to buy. This doesn’t mean to draw back all of your support towards companies that are doing good — no! We’re making so much progress from even 5 years ago within the fashion landscape with the rise of DTC sustainable companies taking over some consumer share of mind (and wallet). But a good balance is necessary between what is too much and what is just necessary, right? At this financial point in my life, I am trying to choose what is necessary. Because it just makes sense.

A Little Caveat

I’d also like to note that even while writing this post, I kept going back and forth between — “yes, shopping at the rate that I was WAS still helping sustainability efforts because I could’ve been shopping for fast-fashion things like I used to” and “no, that’s not the right mindset, what’s actually helping is if you just reduce your intake altogether” and then also to “yes, but if you reduce your intake altogether, then you’re hurting the sustainable fashion companies and the economy altogether!”, and finally to “ah, that’s why it’s all about balance for what is necessary.” It’s a very tricky case, and you can always make the case for slow fashion vs. ethical/sustainable fast fashion. The topic of sustainability is very convoluted like this. So, as always, I’d love to hear any of your thoughts and make this a point of discussion. Because after all, diversity of thought and meaningful discussions are what really drive effective solutions of being a conscious consumer who drives change.