Fashionable Ways to Be More Sustainable

Like many, I am looking for ways to live a more sustainable life in the new year.  Here are a few ways to lower your carbon footprint and still remain fashionable while doing so.

- Say no to plastic and invest in reusable bags like this stylish market tote.
- Vow to only shop secondhand.  My favorite online sources are The RealReal, Thredup, and Ebay.
- Don't purchase any new items and instead alter and fix pieces you already own.  My local tailor charges about $20 to alter jeans/pants.  Hem a long skirt and make it a mini, try new buttons on an old coat, etc.
- Try styling summer pieces in winter by adding a turtleneck under dresses/blouses, throw a cashmere sweater over a dress to make it a skirt, pair tall boots with skirts/dresses.
- Clean out your closet and hold a clothing swap with friends.
- Have a friend over and have him/her style pieces in your wardrobe.  Its a great way to get a fresh spin on items you might be tired of.
- Look to the internet for inspiration and recreate the looks as best you can with pieces you own.
- Use the Good On You website to check how sustainable your favorite brands are.
- Curb impulse buys that turn into regrets by creating a wish list of items and sticking to it.
- Bring your clothes to a consignment store and use store credit to pick out new to you pieces.