Wardrobe Woes
My wardrobe is in pretty dire need of a refresh right now — and I don’t mean because my clothes are out of style, which they certainly are. It’s that they are worn out. I have t-shirts with holes numbering in the double digits. I have tops that are worn so thin in places that they are translucent. I have jeans marred with stains, and socks missing entire heels. It’s not that I never buy clothes. I get staple items from time to time, the occasional dress for a special event, and I certainly invested in some maternity wear while I was pregnant. But by-and-large, for the last decade(ish), I’ve survived mostly off hand-me-downs from my more stylish sisters, some gifts from family, and some truly well-made items that have stood the test of time. (I’m not alone in this — earlier this week, my colleague Maureen sported a skirt she’s had for two decades!) These alternative supply chains have all served me well, but lately, I’ve been feeling a bit frumpy. Part of the (privileged) problem is I don’t particularly love to shop: There’s generally something else I’d rather be doing. The other issue is that I’m acutely aware of all the harm done by the clothes we wear. Our synthetic fibers shed microplastics. Our waterproof outdoors clothing is laced with toxic chemicals. Even some supposedly “natural” fabrics come at a steep environmental cost. In addition, there is the massive waste associated with our fast fashion culture, as well as our online shopping habits. Still, the truth is that I wouldn’t mind feeling a bit more put-together from time-to-time. So, I’m trying to update my closet — thoughtfully. I’m going for quality over quantity. I’m aiming for more natural, sustainably-sourced, fibers over synthetic ones. I’m trying to make purchases in person, rather than online. And I have my eyes on a local consignment store. I know I can't avoid all the environmental and human costs associated with my clothes. But I hope I will minimize them — and add at least a few hole-free shirts to my rotation.
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