Happy 2020! What is so exciting about the new year? I will let tell you.

It’s YOU!

You are the most important person because you are the decider and you have the power to change how fashion works. And I can tell you now that these small habits over time create big shifts. So, if you do one thing on this list, you are already creating change for people, the planet and within your wardrobe. If you love clothes but want to find a better more effective way to shop sustainably then allow me to guide you to the top 7 tips toward more sustainable fashion wardrobe.

1) Start investing in your favorite sustainable fashion small business owned by women

When you support a woman, you support a movement. A small business owned by a woman is wonderful but a sustainable fashion small business is an innovative way to shift your consumer demand within the fashion industry. Sustainable fashion has come a long way since I began my journey in Chicago. Every consumer has a choice. I believe that women are the cornerstone of this change in fashion. According to New Standard’s institute organization, approximately 80% of the garment labor force are women. So why not start supporting women who are supporting other women in the garment and fashion industry? Today is the perfect time to start.

The following is a small but might list of some women I know in sustainable fashion industry you can support. These women are small business that have created their own collections and would love your support.

Sotela “Radically inclusive sizing for 0-30” Made in L.A. with great colors for every day for all humans every day.

Pure Colour Baby: High quality baby clothes using organic materials and adjustable features for growth spurts.

Regenerous Designs: Unique and fun accessories made from upcycled industry waste.

Harly Jae: Feminine and vintage inspired designs with sustainable and ethical practices made in Vancouver, Canada.

Vesta Studio: Sustainable dresses and everyday wear with functionality and versatility in mind.

2) Curate a pop up shopping location (IRL experiences)

Where can I find all these wonderful women owed or sustainable fashion businesses on my own in real life? There’s nothing like meeting the owner or feeling the fabric in pop ups around your local area. Well, rest assure, somewhere in the world two women have already spearheaded this initiative called, Pause Fashion Hub. It all began with two women named, Romi and Leticia, interested in bringing sustainable fashion brands to more wider audience but having a location challenge where designers could showcase their brand. Thus, Pause Fashion Hub was born. It began as one pop up shop in Amsterdam and now sustainable fashion designers can apply to do multiple day pop up shop events in Pairs, Barcelona, London, New York, Brooklyn and multiple shop locations in Amsterdam. This can be a way to shop in person, get to know the designer, touch and try on the fabric and be surrounded by other sustainable fashion business if you are traveling or live in these major cities.

Begin following your favorite small business that cater to sustainable fashion including the following:

So Cal

La Causa: partners with organizations that focus on environment, human and civil rights. Made in L.A.

Style: Every day wear and workwear

Loomstate: uses organic cotton and comfortable pieces for uniforms and corporate attire.

Style: Focuses on workwear for men and women with ethical and sustainable practices.

Groceries Apparel Uses organic, recycled fabric (cotton or plastic), hemp, and vegetable dye pieces with a focus on low carbon footprint

Style: Casual for men and women every day wear

3) Begin your Tuesday and Thursday Thrift days

Here are some thrifting platforms you can begin selling or buying clothes. Clothing and accessories at discounted prices or unique vintage pieces for a bit more. This habit of thrifting is key because you can buy more unique pieces that fit your original style at half the price or if you want to indulge go right ahead.

Mercari: This online store includes clothes, household items, toys and electronics.

Thred Up: One of the biggest online thrift stores for fashionistas that showcases kids, women, and teens clothing.

Vinted: Coined as the pre-loved community where you can find most apparel for women, men and children at accessible price points. As a buyer or shopper there’s a lot of finds and opportunity at Vinted.

Another fun way is to host or attend your own Swap Party.

4) Attend a monthly Swap Party in your local area

You can find a swap party at any local group of likeminded women or on Eventbrite and just search swap party. It’s a great way to meet people and refresh your clothing with different accessories or classic pieces like a black jacket to go with jeans. Here are my top four tips for attending a swap party:

Switch your last season clothes you have

Wash all your clothes before you attend.

Attend and thank the host and attendees with a quick card about YOU (networking tip)

Party nicely with everyone because you never know who you will meet. Also, I like to ask the host if they need some beverage of some sort for the event.

More on hosting a swap party as I will be planning on hosting a couple this year.

5) Support a fair-trade store (online or in store)

You can find fair trade stores here on the Fair Trade Certified Products but my favorites are PACT, prAna, and Patagonia. There are more but if you are looking ( #1 Principal in Fair Trade Certified Products) “to create opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers,” then this directory is for you. I will be doing a post on the principles of Fair Trade so be on the look out for that as well!

6) Mend you clothes!

This is an oldie but a goodie way of keeping clothes well-worn and taken care over the years. I enjoy mending my jeans or if I need to sew a button. I really had a great time making a dress last year (that I will post this year) and I highly recommend taking a beginner sewing workshop at Joann Fabrics or another workshop that’s local to a sewing store. Often sewing machine tools and fabrics have mini classes cater to newbie sewer or advanced one.

7) Use a shoe cobbler

This one always gives me a puzzled look…a what? A shoe cobbler or also known as a bootmaker, shoe repairman (or woman). This can save you more money over time and give life to those boots that need a heel replacement or even your old Birkenstocks need resoles over time. Some Birkenstocks stores already repair your sandals but cobblers use to be very common back in the day. Now, it’s so easy to get another pair of shoes but cobblers can be very useful and save you money. Either way, here you can find a shoe cobbler if you can’t find one. And if you hit a dead end with that one, check out this Cobbler Concierge business that is marrying traditional cobbler services with technology and with a touch of your phone you will have your shoes repaired in no time.

There you have it. That wraps up the top 7 ways you can build your sustainable wardrobe. Don’t fret if you can’t do all 7 tips. Just pick one for the month and work on it day by day. If you are looking for more tips and like discounts check out my travel accessories brand story! Feel free to join my e-newsletter below. I’d like to share more of my story and how I am creating a travel cross body bag that uses special artisan materials good for the earth with fair trade practices. I invite you on my journey and you can get a 20% off when we launch in May 2020. Leave a comment below to tell me what you think is the easiest tip or if you have started building your sustainable fashion habits this year in 2020.

7 Ways to Build Your Sustainable fashion shopping habits

Happy 2020! What is so exciting about the new year? I will tell you. YOU, you are the most exciting because YOU decide how fashion changes. And I can tell you now that small habits over time create big shifts. So, if you do one thing on this list that you are already creating change for people, the planet and within your closet. If you love clothes but want to find a better more effective way to shop sustainably then allow me to guide you to the top 7 steps to a sustainable fashion habits.