       
Dress is handmade from Japan, clips are handmade (DIY here), hat is stolen from my boyfriend, shoes are c/o Yeswalker, picnic bag and jacket are thrifted, socks are from Tutuanna.
Lately, I've been thinking a lot about the choices I make and the influence it has on the world. For a few months now, I have wanted to get hair extensions - however I have been adamant that the hair has to come from an ethical source (as in, not from people living below the poverty line whose last chance to feed their family was to sell all their hair for a couple of dollars; or being conned into donating their hair for religious purposes) and have basically found that "ethical" hair extensions are an impossible thing to come across. Looks like I'll be growing my hair the hard way. But after questioning whether or not hair extensions were ethical, I started questioning whether anything I rely on - particularly my clothes - is indeed ethical.
When I heard about a clothing factory in Bangladesh collapsing a few months ago, where more than 1000 workers died, I was really upset. That event set into motion (although I'm embarrassed at how long it's taken) a realisation that I really can't justify my need to own the ridiculous amount of clothes that I own. Half of my wardrobe I have only worn once or twice. But what finally forced me to think about this issue was learning about the term "fast fashion" from Ragini's Rookie mag post, and then coming across this article on making ethical fashion choices. And I decided that for now, I'm only shopping at second-hand stores. I've also stopped working with the majority of clothes stores that I've worked with on my blog this past year. I don't know that their clothes come from factories that are as bad as the one that collapsed in Bangladesh, but it's exactly because *I don't know* that I've decided to stop.
This wasn't the easiest decision to come to, as I kind of rely on being sent clothes by my sponsors to keep the outfit posts on this blog going - I can't afford to buy myself new clothes to blog about all the time because I am a uni student. On the other hand, I also don't want to keep getting new clothes, because I already have more than enough. So what I'll be doing more of is re-wearing everything that I already own, in different ways (for example I've styled this dress before here and here). And if I really *need* that cropped shirt or pinafore dress, I'll make them myself, thrift something, or save up and buy something handmade from etsy or splurge on American Apparel. I feel a little bad about promoting fast fashion for the last couple of years and want to try and remedy some of the damage, so in a similar vein to my "30 days of dressing up" posts, I will try to do more posts on how to create multiple outfits out of a more limited wardrobe, as well as more DIY posts and vintage-shopping guides.
Congratulations if you're still reading this! Let me make clear that I certainly don't judge you if you choose to keep buying new clothes from stores - I admit that I've had a pretty extreme reaction by almost entirely cutting myself off - but if I can convince a couple of people to slightly limit their clothing intake, I hope that it might make a little bit of (positive) difference to the world.
*Note: I will still continue to wear all my old stuff from those companies whose sponsorship I am no longer continuing, because that would be a total waste of clothes if I decided I wasn't going to wear them anymore. So if you see them around here, don't freak out that I've abandoned everything I just said.
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Tuesday, 27 August 2013
Fashion More Slowly
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I´m so happy you decided for this act =) !
ReplyDeleteI like it more when you´re styling clothes from second-hand shops and DIY things than clothes from sponsorship. Also I don´t think sponsorships are good (of course getting clothes for free is always good =D), but because of this fact that you don´t know if you´re supporting and advertising the "good" factories or those like the one in Bangladesh =/
I´m looking forward for your outfits <3
I am so glad you wrote this post!
ReplyDeleteI've also been purchasing less and less items from retail stores in general and start raiding bloggers' closets or secondhand stores or flea markets - whatever option's held before me at the moment. And I am so glad you got on board. This is the kind of message that a blogger should be giving the world at one point or another. If more bloggers do this, their followers might follow suit and how much better would the world be then, am I right? By the way, I wrote a post about a similar topic (http://alivegurl.blogspot.de/2013/05/fashion-with-conscience.html) if you want to check it out.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI've now given up on buying Primark clothes and only get them in swaps now, although rarely anymore. I wish vintage was more affordable though
ReplyDeleteLove this! I would loove to purchase only ethical clothing, but I'm a poor college student who loves forever 21 and target (soo cheap). But then again, I don't buy a lot of clothes to begin with. I guess I'll have to make a few smaller steps, like buying more from thrift stores. It is a hard decision, but it's definitely the right one!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm reeeally excited to see you remix more things! That will be really fun to see. :)
This is fantastic! I'm sure you'll find some amazing variations for your outfits! Go you!
ReplyDeleteBecky
xx
I love your dress so much! and I think the decision you've made is really wonderful. I wish more people could be like you (I hate it when people are like 'ew. why buy clothes from second hand stores?')
ReplyDeleteFrancesca xo
www.yummylikecake.com
the red color is really beautiful. it suits you
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear you've come over to the ethical side. I've actually put together a small ethical directory, it's small because I focus on fashionable brands that I would wear rather than anything organic. There are a couple of Australian brands that rock (I've bought a couple of things from Alas but Frances Baker is on the top of my to-save-for list). In case you want to have a look here's a link: http://dressesonaclothesline.blogspot.com/p/ethical-directory.html
ReplyDeleteThis sounds great! I can't wait at all for your awesome ideas! ^_^
ReplyDeleteI think it's a great choice. I actually used to only buy second hand clothes but out of jealousy and a desire to make my blog more awesome I went back to the high street. I do however never buy anything from Primark and I try to avoid stores that I know have terrible policies. I avoid Topshop for their massive tax avoidance. But sometimes life can be a little bit sad in that way. It is sad for everyone that the mainstream in films, coffee and clothes always seems to be unethical.
ReplyDeleteThis choice is great. Your blog is a constant inspiration for people and I don't think styling your already worn clothes over again will make any difference :) By the way I'm falling in love with you hair color I might just do the same with mine! :D
ReplyDeletehttp://chamomiledealer.blogspot.com/
Love the dress!!! :)
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Annika, I really respect you for doing this!
ReplyDeleteThat catastrophic factory collapse in Bangladesh was the wake up call I needed too. After Gap and many US retailers were less than enthusiastic to committing to make factory conditions safer, I decided to stop buying from them.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think as fashion bloggers it's easy to become very consumerist, so well done for taking a stand.
So glad you find my post helpful! :) It's not all that updated, though, and I wish to update it sometime soon. For more info, you might like to check out http://www.delightfully-tacky.com/ if you haven't already. She inspires me to do this so much!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful choice!
ReplyDeleteI have been trying to do this, too. ^^ I feel that things are produced faster than we can use them sometimes and that it leads to a lot of waste. And of course, the horrid working conditions for people and the terrible effects of greed. Though it is important to feel good about ourselves, it is so much more important to feel good about our impact on the world.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I love your dress and collar clips!
I think this is really great, Annika. It takes a very committed and strong person (as silly as that sounds -- it's just fashion) to make a choice like this. Bloggers are under a lot of pressure to wear what's new, and this inspires me to remix items I already have in my wardrobe. Brava, lady :)
ReplyDeletexox Sammi
www.thesoubrettebrunette.blogspot.com
this post is so nice! I agree that we should limit our clothing intake even though buying new clothes is so tempting!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for your awesome ideas for re-styling pieces!
toinfinitynbeyond13.blogspot.hk
I'm so prouf of you, Annika. I am myself a vintage lover (80% of my wardrove) but every now and then I buy clothes from big companies. All the things you've said made me realize I'm not sure of their ethical principles either. So I won't be buying more "new" stuff. Just vintage for me, please.
ReplyDeleteThanks Annika, I will definitely share this post.
Oh, and your idea about re-styling your clothes is absolutely great! We readers own such a reduced wardrobe compare to bloggers' :) and those kind of posts are so much close to our reality ;)
DeleteAwesome post and equally awesome dress, not just for the cut but because it's also handmade.
ReplyDeleteI've had the same dilemma you (and other commentators) described. I don't have a lot of money to spend on clothing so it's easier to run to Dots or Target and splurge than it is to save up for one piece from Etsy.
However, to quote Snow, "things are produced faster than we can use them sometimes and that it leads to a lot of waste" and easily depletes resources we're borrowing from future generations.
It's a lot to think about, a lot to consider - but anyone who doesn't think fast fashion effects the Earth as well as the world society is crazy.
I love your outfit! And I really admire that you are going into style remixing. I started working on weekly style remixes myself. They're quite fun and encourage creative energy in your closet!
ReplyDeleteCheck out my remixes sometime and I will be on the look out for yours dear.
http://rosecolored-telescope-eyes.blogspot.com
xx
C.C
I love how bright this look is :) And your hair just adds even more, its really pretty x
ReplyDeletehttp://melly-go-round.blogspot.co.uk/
I'm glad you came to this decision! I've been making the majority of my clothes for about three years now and now a good number of my daughter's. My son is still kind of hard to sew for but he's cool for second hand.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember how I found your blog but I followed you because I love your science education advocacy. You've mentioned alterations with your sewing machine more than once, and I highly recommend sewing as a hobby for someone that loves clothes. There's a lot of us out here in the blogosphere, you can find us at www.sewcialists.org and we love to help and answer questions!
I started reading your blog for DIY and thrifting inspiration about a year ago, when I decided to stop buying new clothing entirely; I was reading about some of the human rights and environmental issues around fast fashion at the time, and second-hand shopping and upcycling became not just a substitute but a mission, of sorts.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see so many bloggers going for more ethical styles--and today, I read your post after finishing an article on a similarly motivated project. Thought you might be interested!
http://redress.com.hk/projects/clothing-drives/the-365-challenge/
I so agree with you! I couldn't have worded it better my self.
ReplyDeletegood decision dear ♥ i ´m really in ecology, enviroment and this stuff (i´m vegetarian too :3)
ReplyDeletei do support you (:
Good for you, Annika!
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to shop more ethically, too, but it's really hard! I've also heard that not shopping at stores with bad factory conditions doesn't solve the problem, since those jobs are what keep those workers alive. I've heard interviews about how we as consumers should establish a dialogue with companies, saying we want them to have better factory conditions for their workers. But that's a hard thing to go about, yknow? Who do I email about that?
Anyway, I think shopping thrift stores is good for more than a few reasons, and I'm looking forward to seeing your remixed clothes.
Rachel
Good for you, girlfriend! That is one of the biggest reasons that I shop at thrift stores and because it is cheaper and the quality is better! I have been avoiding American Apparel too, because their CEO is not so kind to their female employees. It is frustrating because that was a clothing company where you knew where the clothing came from - and their tee are so comfortable. Hard decisions sometimes.
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Laura
http://lauraisthriftingthroughlife.blogspot.com/
This was such an inspiring post and good on your for taking a stance! I am exactly the same as you, uni student on a budget. I already shop mostly at op shops and vintage stores but sometimes I will buy new things. I work in retail and I'm not particularly sure where the clothes/shoes are made and how ethical it is. Although I cannot afford to give up my job or stop shopping there on occasion (as it's required I wear their clothing to work) this post has definitely woken me up to how some of my clothes are made. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis is great Annika! I'm a fashion blogger myself but I only buy clothes from thrift shops or second hand clothing stores. Sometimes I buy from people who makes the dresses they sell and other times I make it myself.
ReplyDeleteIts hard to make ethical fashion choices, specially when the clothes you want are sold a particular store. But its true, most of these factory made clothes abuse their workers and are underpaid. That happens a lot specially here in Asia.
Its really sad.
This is absolutely amazing! One of the biggest reasons I started blogging was to promote ethical consumption of fashion (people really don't know what they're buying), AND there are some INCREDIBLE finds at thrift and vintage shops, I'm so excited to see what you come up with! Please check out my blog, http://www.buttonsandbirdcages.com , Welcome to the world of sustainable and ethical fashion!
ReplyDeleteI'm actually really excited for this, haha. Although I've got a lot of clothes, I don' think I've ever had as many as you do. Even though there'd be less variety, I'd appreciate the more realistic wardrobe for a Uni student. xD. You can teach us creativity in scarcity!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm glad that, for the obvious ethical reasons, you've decided against questionably sourced clothes. About six months ago, I decided to only by used or from brands where I *know* the conditions are good. Fortunately, my mum helped Dov (of American Apparel fame) get his employees much more comprehensive health insurance, so now we get discounted clothes from there forever. :D!
Also in the spirit of "Thrift Stores Are Awesome": I just got a second pair of Armani trousers. From the same shop. For eight dollars. Again. :D! Sometimes I miss the cheapo F21 deals, but well...it is what it is.
Thirteen Vintage has sort of scratched some of that itch.
I think that is a good decision. Maybe it doesn't make great impact on the world, but you will deffinitely sleep better at night...and you have no idea how fun it is to mix all your clothes and always making them look new and better with acessories, patches, printing and stuff :)
ReplyDeleteAnnika, you are such an inspiration. I have so much respect for the fact that you've taken ethics into consideration regarding your fashion choices. Last summer I volunteered in Guatemala and came across the most disgusting sweatshops in which indigenous Guatemalan women hand-crafted beautiful leather goods and knits only to be paid $1 a day and have their worked shipped to the U.S. to be sold at large corporations like J.C. Penny's. I was completely in awe of the talent these women had and how little they were being paid for their beautiful crafts. I try to do research on each brand I shop from to understand the business practices of their brand. I think it's wonderful that you are becoming conscious of ethical fashion choices!
ReplyDeleteXo, Hannah
sweetsweetnoir.net
What a tough and brave decision to make! This seems to be a trend that I can totally get behind. I mostly thrift or make my own clothes anyway, but trying not to buy new at all is great. Fashion is an important part of my life and I think people need to understand that it's not always a frivolous, superficial thing. People can make good choices and still be stylish.
ReplyDeleteWow! I really support your decision! I hope this means we're goinf to see a lot more DIY's. Your creations are so amazing they inspired me to learn sewing myself! And my grandma also appreciates her granddaughter coming over a lot to borrow her sewing machine ;) Maybe you could take up knitting? With big needles and chunky wool you can make a nice sweater in no time! Last year I made myself a hat and mittens and I think it's great to have your own unique pieces (and the're also cheaper than the ones you see in stores). Let the coming months be really inspirational!
ReplyDeleteYou are such a fantastic person for making that choice, and I can only hope that more people follow in your footsteps. As others have said, I also prefer your DIY posts and vintage/second hand clothes over the sponsorshipped ones.
ReplyDelete<3
I think it's a great decision you're making. I'll be looking forward to your outfit posts, those 30 days posts are my favorite posts, I really like seeing how much you can do with just a few items of clothing. I can understand that it's easy to fall into the "trap" of free clothing, so I really respect your decision ^^
ReplyDeleteBoy, its been a bit since I have commented, but this really hit home with me! There are a few companies I have been working with for the fast month that definitely fall into the fast fashion category and I am so torn between the excitement of getting some free, actually "current" new clothes to wear and the guilt over not knowing how they are made and where. I do think I live better than most, as probably over half of what I buy both for clothes and home things are second hand, but having a blog where you advertise for different companies makes it into a whole new ball game. I totally admire your decision though and will definitely consider doing the same soon.
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a wonderful day girl!
xo Hannah
thebraidedbandit.blogspot.com
thebraidedbandit.etsy.com
kuddos to you girl!! i'm so glad i just found this post of yours via the braided bandit's pinterest pin : ). I completely support this 100%, and am at a strange little crossroad where i've been advocating for fair fashion (either through ethically made items, fair trade items, like I sell in my shop, Mitla Moda, or through vintage/secondhand - although the secondhand one gets tricky also) but now finally gaining more blog readers and been contacted by a few companies whose labor practices i can't verify. i really do think it's amazing to hear you using your blogging voice to stand up for "fair fashion" though, and i also love this handmade dress you found (and wow, Japan, awesome!). oh and you hair looks gorgeous to me, def no need for extensions but i'll mail you some of my extra if you'd like ; ). i have a guest post scheduled for next week speaking all about fast fashion and the Bangladesh tragedy, so I hope you'll take a look in a few days. glad to have found you!
ReplyDeleteCuddly Cacti
Mitla Moda
[I just noticed I haven't write down a comment on your blog for a long, long time - shame on me !]
ReplyDeleteI admire your decision. And that's weird, because it's been also some weeks that I started to sell most of my clothes, and keep only the ones I REALLY like - and strangely, I only keep the clothes I bought in thrift stores. I don't like anymore the "plastic clothing" in such a poor quality that you find in most of the famous and affordable fashion shops. Now I don't shop anymore in H&M, Zara etc... I go to my favourite charity shop where they give the money to people in difficulties. I think it's a better way to consume.
So, it's like there's a wave of consciousness floating around us. It's important to ask ourselves the following question : what you wear reflects your personnality, but does it reflects your values ? It should !
You took the right decision, and I can understand how hard it is ! I've received a few requests of partnership from brands, that's something still new for me, and I don't know how I will react if a brand such as... well, you know, those "cheap eastern asian shops", would like to sponsor me. It's hard to say "No, thank you", when you see such a big amount of clothes you would love to wear. But well, we know in which conditions they have been made, and it's good to not promote them.
Of course we can't blame people who still shop to "normal" stores, they follow the flow and the mass, the easy way that society wants us to follow. But that would be great if everyone could know and realise that there are always other solutions.
Congratulation for having a strong mind and the courage to say no to free clothes :-)
Noé.
Hi! 8 years ago I saw some videos about the meat industry, it was an eye opening experience. Back then I discovered that I didn't have to eat meat to be healty, and that animals didn't have to suffer just for my personal pleasure.
ReplyDeleteAnd then I realize that everything that I choose to buy have an impact in the world, not only food, but also my clothes. I understood that every choose that I made have an impact in the world.
Some years ago there was a huge scandal here in uruguay, the owner of one of the bigger clothes companies had bolivian employees working in horrible conditions, almost slaves. Those ladies were in some way forced to work for almost no money, 16 hours per day, in the extremly expensive house of this rich family. I was soooo disgusted about that news! And of course, this non ethical person had a company that sells everything made in china or vietnam. They buy clothes by the kilo (a few dollars per kilo) and sells those clothes 20 times that price. If this people had employees in those conditions in their own homes, I was sure that they didn't care at all about the working conditions of some people in china or vietnam.
That news shock me so much, that from that moment I decide to buy only local or second hand clothes, and only when I need it. I'm extremly happy and proud of my decision and I'm glad to find people who are in the same page about this. So congratulations on your decision! :)
well that's it, just wanted to say Hi and share my story :)
Good choice on turning over your closet to sweatshopfree 100%. As another girl who loves her thriftshopping because of money issue and fashionstyle, I would like to to ask and comment one thing:
ReplyDelete1: Do you know a store that sells sweatshop free underwear? That's the one thing I keep buying fresh but want to buy fair.
2: As much as you can say kudos to American Apparel for being sweatshop free, they're still incredibly sexist and have expressed discrimination against customers and their employed, therefore I don't recomend anybody to buy from them :/
So I've been hearing :( That sucks so badly. Can't buy from anywhere!
DeleteAhh I'm planning on making up a whole big list of ethical stockists for all differnt things, and I've found this so far: http://www.pantstopoverty.com/collections/women , but they're not cheap and don't seem to carry many sizes, either.
There is also this: http://www.urbanearthwear.com.au/
This is also this which is cheaper but kinda ugly :(
http://www.tuffys-tuffetts.com.au/tuffetts.html
It's making me very sad how few places there are out there that are ethical.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/katastrophicdesign
Deletehttp://www.luvahuva.co.uk/shop
DeleteI'm so happy there are other bloggers out there committed to making and promoting ethical choices. I've been trying to compile a similar database over on my blog for the past few months called the Coscientious Consumer where I'm hoping to cover ethical & cruelty-free brands in make-up, fashion, art and craft and all other sorts of things relevant to my lifestyle & those of others. It astounds me how many popular personalities just don't seem to worry about the products they're promoting! I think whether one influences a small amount of people or a huge amount, like a 'famous' youtuber, it's still important to make choices that are right for the whole, the earth, animals, humans, etc. Love your blog, Xo
ReplyDeleteYou are wonderful. Link me link me link me! (I couldn't find your blog link when I clicked through to your google+)
DeleteIt also makes me sad when I see prominent youtubers or bloggers really promoting that stuff, but I guess that when I was doing a similar thing (not even a year ago), it was because I just didn't really *think* about where my clothes were coming from. It's not until I became aware about it, really thought about it, and then did some research on where my clothes were coming from, that I was like "shit. that's really, really awful, How the heck can we do this to poor countries for something we don't even NEED?"
That's why I'm trying to spread awareness. Because I just can't see that anyone would continue to promote such products once they *know* how their stuff is manufactured, and how many people get hurt by it. It's just that in western countries, we're raised *not* to think about it, so most people, unfortunately, don't.
xxx
felicidades!!! excelente decisión...podrías hacer un tutorial para hacer este vestido¿
ReplyDelete