look good without killing the planet

As a stylist, or image consultant, or personal shopper, or style coach, or whatever it is you'd like to refer to me as, the last thing you probably thought you'd hear me say is... don't give into {fleeting} trends. 

Traditionally, menswear trends moved a lot slower than womenswear, but as people become more and more obsessed with having the latest and greatest, both are picking up speed. Women are now being presented, not two collections a year {spring/summer and fall/winter}, but four or more. With spring/summer, fall/winter, pre-fall, resort, and in some cases many different capsule collections throughout the year, trends are coming and going faster than designers can get them to their end consumer. Due to the high prices of designer clothing, and the fast trend turnover, the 1% is the only demographic that is able to realistically justify spending $$$$ of clothing that is going to go out of style half a season later, and as a result, brands that can replicate the designs at a much quicker rate, and at a much lower cost, have become the most profitable in the world. And {surprise, surprise} are also the most damaging to the planet. 

As fast fashion houses like Zara and H&M are replicating runway designs at an increasingly alarming rate {nearly 6 times faster than the designer can do it/does it}, trends in the menswear world are becoming almost as fleeting as womenswear. There has been no other time in history that people have paid as little for clothing, and have treated clothes not as an investment to be proud of, but as disposable. As a result of this new way of shopping, fashion/clothing is now the third largest pollution contributor in the world, the first being Agriculture and second {yes second}, being oil & gas. The prices of clothing is plummeting as the cost of materials are rising, which to me means that there are more and more people working at very little wages {ahhemm, slave & child labour} to make us these fleeting, fast fashion garments. 

So the solution? Stop giving into trends. I'm not saying you should be wearing the same jeans and shirts you wore 5 years ago, but every time a new 'trend' hits the social feeds, don't give in. Rather, find a way to easily, and cost effectively incorporate that trend into your life. Build a functioning capsule wardrobe. Something that is filled with quality basics that are going to last. Invest in clothing that is made well, brands that pay their workers well, things that are not going to fall apart after three wears, things you're going to be proud of and respect. Personally, I know that when I buy one of these fast fashion garments, I don't feel as good in it as I feel in something I spent a little more money on, or even something that I didn't spend much on because it was a great deal, but I know is better quality. PS, I would argue that I'm the best deal finder around - if you'd like to challenge me on it, I'm up for it!

When you know it fits you well, looks good, and is classic enough to transcend trends you're likely going to wear it more, and have it for a longer period of time. Another really great thing about buying quality clothing is you can consign the items when you are finished with them and make some money back! It really is a win win.

It is imperative that we start treating the planet better. Eat less meat, drive less, consume less and care more {a lot more}. After all, don't we all want our kids, grandkids and their kids to have a happy and healthy planet to live on? If we continue at the rate we are going, we are going to have a huge problem in our life times, which to me is really scary. 

Let's commit together to sustainable clothing, so that in 25 years we can still stand on the edge of beautiful cliffs and admire the beauty of the planet!

All. The. Love.

- Lauren Larsen