When I started this blog as a tribute to sustainable, ethical fashion, I was only beginning to understand the toll that fast fashion is taking on our planet’s natural and human resources. The facts are available through a number of sources ( The Story of Stuff Project is a great place to start), so I won’t go into detail here. But I do want to share some conclusions I've drawn from that exploration – what I’ll call the  Five Step Path to Fast Fashion Recovery:

1.   Rethink your current wardrobe.

Start by giving your closet an overhaul. Clean, organize, inventory, and refashion what you’re already working with. Check out my great closet overhaul and wardrobe inventory entries for some tips on the process.  

2.    Love the clothes you've got.

This means getting those too-long pants hemmed so you’ll actually wear them, repairing the zipper on your favorite dress before buying a new one, and avoiding the dryer as much as possible. In an era of disposable retail, it’s easy to rely on cheap replacements, but taking the time to keep your clothing in good repair is a heck of a lot easier on your wallet and the planet.

3.   Sew and/or refashion your  own clothes .

This one requires significantly more time than shopping, and tremendous wells of patience. Although I know I could never sew every item in my wardrobe, I have found the few projects I’ve pursued to be fun and empowering (well, fun until the moment my needle breaks and I start cursing like sailor). Refashioning is much easier, and often only requires the addition of a shiny new set of buttons.

4.   Buy ethical 95% of the time.

Truly ethical options, be they fair trade, organic, made in the US, or otherwise, are harder to come by than they should be. But it’s certainly not impossible, and it those options can certainly be stylish. Check out my ethical shopping guide as a starting point.

That 95% is a bit arbitrary, of course, but there will be times when you can’t find the clothing item you need from a reliably ethical source. When that happens, do you homework and buy from companies who are transparent about their labor and sustainability practices. In a pinch, I rely on Gap, Inc., whose stance on social responsibility is publicly available.

5.   Spend a little to save a little.

Whenever possible, buy clothes that will last. In the long run, it’s worth it to invest in that cashmere sweater, silk blouse, or fitted blazer. It’s also worth the extra step of getting these items tailored, or even better, having something custom-made. The more confident you feel in something, the more use you’ll get from it. And the higher the quality of the construction, material, and fit, the longer it will stay in rotation. 

Ultimately, it's all about slowing down, reading labels, doing your research, and trying (at least a little!) to curb your desire for ALL OF THE SHINY PRETTY THINGZ. 

A little epiphany I had in college sent me on the path (or rather, 45-degree hill) of wanting less, and I still struggle to be content with what I have in as stylish a manner as possible. But it's truly inspiring to see so many others on that same journey, and I hope the road only gets more crowded! 

This post was inspired by IFB's Project #91: What does sustainable style mean to you?