There’s a little something that’s been chewing at my thoughts lately. It’s come up again and again at the tail end, the stop sign, the dead end of conversations. Like a quizzical puzzle too mind rattling the player’s wires become crossed, leading them to believe the only answer is the most radical one– to give up. The question, as I am sure you are wondering, is what to do about the current state-of-affairs in the glamorous fashion industry. And I don’t mean ‘is it really a fashion sin to mix navy and black’ or are Birkenstock Arizona’s really back in fashion? (1. no, this is a stellar combination; 2. yes, they are). I’m talking about our part in regards to the issue of a cheap and tangled, bottom-dollar supply chain, the fast fashion, mass consumption market.
When these conversations spark, time and time again I hear, “Just stop shopping” and “Don’t buy anything.” This infuriates me. I can’t hang on to this logic. Yes, it’s hard to pull out a right answer – because there are no right answers – which would surely be simple (and a solution already packaged and marketed), but there isn’t. Not getting a simple answer is uncomfortable. But don’t give up just because it’s complicated. There are better ways, more thoughtful ways. And I think I have your answer.
That uncomfortableness is the most exciting part because it is up to us. You and me, our friends, our communities and families to take action however we see fit.
The stop-shopping answer is no solution in my mind – it only sweeps the issues under the rug, like a frightened maid or an elephant in the room – it’s still there, we are just ignoring it.
Last week I bought a jumper from Babe New York and I have already been loving it to death. I had my eye on the piece for about two months. Enamored that the garment was reversible and could be worn two ways — I loved that one option had a high, sophisticated neckline + open back, and the other way a scoop neck. I loved that it was made by a small independent label, and that the jumper was designed and sewn a few subway stops away from where I rest my head. Clearly, I thought a lot about this piece about how it would fit with my busy lifestyle and personal style. Plus, it was timeless and would last a looong time (worth the price-per-wear).
You may not like jumpers. You may be a fitness trainer and never look twice at silk. More power to you!
But in my opinion, personalizing fashion is the simple answer you’ve been looking for.
