TO KEEP OR NOT TO KEEP? If you had looked in my closet four years ago, or even two years ago, you likely would have been disgusted...I am just thinking about it. I had so many clothes! I can remember making my first big move to college and one or two subsequent moves after that (you know how student life is), and I had bins, and bins, AND BINS of clothes. And to think it was just my closet that was taking up all this space. My kitchen items, furniture, and other miscellaneous stuff is a whole other story. It's definitely taken me some time, and I'm still learning and tweaking every so often, but I've finally found an easy and manageable system for not only incorporating sustainability into my wardrobe, but for saving me money and simplifying my life. There seems to be this preconceived notion of what clothes the average person should own; and it's totally genderized. The assumption that women need to have a ton of clothes, that it's somehow wrong or sloppy to wear an item of clothing more than once a week, and that your wardrobe should be "in style", from a culturally accepted brand, and deemed cool or hip by your peers. Now granted, I don't know as much about the attire preconceptions concerning men, but I do know there's a lot of pressure on guys, from both women and society as a whole, to wear clothes that are considered fashionable and attractive. It's all such nonsense! I mean seriously, these ideas are just down right silly. Since when should we be allowing stigmas and stereotypes to shape how we express ourselves through fashion or which clothes prove most functional for work and exercise? Don't we all have unique lives, bodies, and opinions? How can others be making these decisions for us? How preposterous! Well then, why don't we start doing some thinking for ourselves? These exact realizations ran through my head. So I got to thinking... After asking myself these questions followed by a little critical analyses and soul searching, I knew what I needed to do. First, I had to get rid of some stuff...or a lot of stuff...ASAP. But what's the best way to go about purging your closet? I had an idea. I finally came up with several unique categories; if an item of clothing didn't fit into one or more of these groups, then it decidedly just wasn't for me. I went through each item in my closet running it through this simple checklist. Those that didn't make qualify for any of the categories were donated to the local thrift store, and the rest stayed put. And let me tell you something: every single item I've donated thus far, I have not missed one bit! WAIT & REORGANIZE. After going through this process once, I still had a considerable amount of clothes, more than I wanted. What else could I do to minimize my wardrobe yet keep it practical? I had another idea! Second, I simply waited. While doing so, I made sure that every article of clothing I wore and washed was consistently hung up on only one side of my closet. Then, over time, all the clothes I was utilizing the most ended up on that side of my closet while the other side piled up with the things I barely touched. This step was, and continues to be, by far the best way to determine which items I should hang on to, and which items I could stand to re-evaluate and donate. So after six months of organizing my closet as such, I reverted back to step one and did another thorough sweep. After doing this just two or three times, I can confidently say that my wardrobe is now a third of the size that it used to be, and man does it feel good! RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION. Now that I've dramatically reduced the size of my closet, I've made a new rule looking forward. Third, if I absolutely need a new item of clothing, I will first try to buy it secondhand from a thrift store, craigslist, or a friend. If that's a no-go, then I will only purchase new clothes from eco-friendly AND ethical companies that practice sustainability and treat their employees well. Many companies are known to still use what most would call unethical standards of production that are also harmful to the environment, with profit in mind rather than making good quality products that don't cause lasting damage to the environment nor to those working to produce said product. Some of my favorite eco-conscious companies (that I'm not affiliated with in any way but would totally love to be) are... However, the one complaint I hear most often about buying from these companies: too expensive. And guess what? I absolutely agree!! Prices for brand new clothes from companies like the ones I've listed, that do so much to make sure their resources are harvested in an environmentally friendly manner and that all their employees are paid a respectable wage, makes items cost more. But I mean really that's the way things work when buying anything though. Nicer products = more money. Nevertheless, these prices do a lot to motivate me to be more resourceful and use the clothes I already have and/or only purchase secondhand attire. So even though I know these items cost more than something I could get for a cheaper cost that might work just as well, I would honestly rather pay the higher price. It's so worth it! Not only am I being a eco-conscious and responsible consumer, I'm supporting companies whose policies and standards I believe in whole-heartedly. You've heard the saying "put your money where your mouth is", right? Well nowadays, the way we spend our money tells major manufacturers what we want as customers. If they are making some products that are sustainable and other products that aren't, and the eco-friendly products sell more successfully....then guess what? They're going to produce less unsustainable items and start making more sustainable ones. It's incredible the amount of control and power we have as paying customers. So by all means, go ahead and let your money do the talking! We want green and ethically produced clothing!! So there you have it, three easy steps to consolidate your closet and transition into being a more conscientious consumer! I hope this helps you simplify your life and encourage you to want to know where your clothes are coming from and how they're made. What are some of your favorite sustainable and moral clothing companies and why? Have you found other ways to minimize your wardrobe and incorporate green living into what you wear everyday? What questions do you have for me? tread lightly. live fully.
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AuthorHi there, my name's Jennifer! I'm a tree-hugging, adventure-seeking, mid-twenties-something and I'm here to share my story with you! Follow me as I try my best to lead a natural and sustainable both everyday and while trying my best to see the world. Follow me on insta! @treadlightlylivefully
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