The second step to building an ethical wardrobe is making a commitment to it. After you’ve decided why you are going to create a more ethical wardrobe and what that means to you, you need to commit to it. Without a commitment, it is almost impossible to make the changes to build an ethical wardrobe because sometimes it is more difficult.
When I first started trying to dress more ethically, there were three things that stood in my way:
- Wanting (Needing?) to have new things and feeling compelled to buy the things I loved (regardless of the ethics).
- Thinking “it’s just this one dress…”
- The desire to always have new clothes and follow trends.
- Not planning well enough.
After a few years, the first three got easier (willpower is a muscle!). As I began resisting the urge to buy everything I wanted (limited finances during grad school helped!), it got easier and easier. Motherhood has also helped a lot, as has age. I know what works for me and I am not as eager (or excited) to try out trends.
I also made a commitment to seeking out ethical clothes, buy fewer things, and try harder to take care of the things I have.
Number four is still my biggest struggle, and knowing myself pretty well at this point, will likely always be.
I find myself twenty pounds heavier, a few months postpartum with a wedding to go to tomorrow and an hour and a half to shop, and there I am at Zara buying a new skirt. Had I planned a little better, I likely could have gone to Amour Vert or Reformation, or found a few things online. I could have potentially rented or borrowed something. Had I planned better, I would likely have found something a little more ethical (and truth be told, prettier).
But, I have committed to ethical style. And without this commitment, I would find myself at Zara and its fast fashion counterparts a lot more often. Not just when something out of the ordinary comes up.
Over the years, my level of commitment has changed. I am wholeheartedly committed to ethical beauty and fashion for myself, but have been a little less so when it comes to my kids (read a little about building my kids ethical wardrobe here). My commitment has changed from “buy ethical clothing” to “buy less, buy better and buy ethically.”
Why a Commitment?
Committing is probably the most important step in building an ethical wardrobe. Sometimes, living a sustainable life is easy. Sometimes, finding the perfect ethically made dress for your cousin’s wedding is easy. And sometimes that ethically made dress is the most beautiful one you can find.
More often, finding the perfect ethical and sustainable solution is not the easy way.
More often, finding the ethical-style alternative takes time and energy, and sometimes is more expensive. Sometimes, you just can’t find the thing you are looking for. This is happening less and less as more brands offer ethical options and newer ethical fashion brands are started, which is awesome.
But, sometimes, you either have to forego the thing that you want, get something that isn’t exactly what you are looking for, or buy something a little less ethical than you had hoped. Hopefully, you won’t choose that last option.
Committing makes all of this much easier. Committing and then defining your personal style based on what you know is out there.
Hopefully, more and more brands will embrace ethical production and it will get much easier to live an ethical, sustainable lifestyle. It has already gotten much easier to dress in ethical style. Ethical fashion has changed dramatically in the last decade, moving from primarily graphic tees and yoga wear to a more high-end, truly fashionable experience.
But for now, making a commitment is important. Just like any value, you must commit to it in order to live it. So, commit to ethical fashion. And, forgive yourself if you end up at cash register at Bloomingdale’s the day before a wedding, with your reusable shopping bag, about to buy a synthetic dress made in an unknown factory. Next time, you’ll plan better and order something from Reformation!
Now that you’ve committed to ethical style, it is time to define your personal style.
How to Build an Ethical Wardrobe When You Don’t Know Where to Begin
Step 2: Make a commitment, You’re here!
Step 3: Find your personal style
Step 4: Assess what you already have (and love)
Step 5: Consider a uniform or capsule wardrobe
Step 6: Clean out your closet responsibly