Tag Archives: sustainable

Fashion

Capsule Wardrobes: A Look inside my Capsule Closet for the Upcoming Winter Season!

In a previous post, I explained the benefits of 10×10 Wardrobe Challenge and the differences of creating a Capsule Closet.

Since then, I decided to tackle my own closet and created a capsule closet for the Winter 2018 season and I have been head over heels with for the last 3 weeks! My closet is filled with neutral colors, textures and patterns that provide me the ability to coordinate different outfits as well as keeping me warm through seasonal transitions, but more importantly, I am really beginning to settle into my own sense of style that is uniquely mine which is a mix of comfortable casual with a touch of sass.

I am always excited when fall comes around for multiple reasons but, my favorite always remains the fact that fashion always takes center stage in débuting its new trends to try.

However, this year was a little different. I challenged myself to only purchase trends that I absolutely knew I wanted to participate in over the next 3 months & evaluate if I really needed to purchase them. If the answer was yes to one or both of the previous questions, I would promise to shop secondhand FIRST to score those items. I am happy to report that I was able to salvage what could be found in my current wardrobe that had been put in storage last year to contribute to my capsule closet. Other items (about 50%) were thrifted from some of my favorite local thrift stores.

Below I will break down the different categories of apparel I am rotating currently within my closet- Enjoy!

 

*Comment down below what items you have in your wardrobe for this winter season?

xo

Danielle

Outerwear:

If someone were to ask me what is my favorite item of clothing, it would be outerwear. It is the last item of clothing to be put on but, it holds so much value since more than likely it is tailored to go with the rest of your outfit to “fit the occasion”. And I like to think of it as another layer to add to the bomb outfit that will come off in a quick reveling like motion.

Ellen Tracy Tweed Wool Blend Coat: This beauty was thrifted over the summer at a thrift store in D.C.! Wearing it has been everything that dreams are made off & strangers who have complimented me seem to think the same!

Lady GaGa Born This Way Faux Leather Jacket:  Although this jacket was purchased at a vintage shop in Adams Morgan, D.C. the shop owner said she loved the trendy gold lettering and the unique design of the unicorn & message of positivity. I have to say,  I 100% agree and I love pairing it with casual outfits on the weekends.

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Pants

GAP High Rise Denim Jeans: Black, skinny leg, high rise. What more is there to say? These pair of pants go with everything in my closet.

Madewell High Rise Sailor Pants: While I’m not the biggest fan of blue jeans, I find that these are more than blue jeans because of their unique double square pocket on the front side that sit perfectly on the high rise waist; they also have a wonderful stretch all around. I found these while thrifting in NYC for just $11.

Ann Taylor Ankle Ponte Pants: I scored these pants in three amazing neutral colors (grey, navy, olive) at Goodwill! They were new with tags and only $13 each! I wear these every week to the office to fit the business casual dress attire.

Sweaters

Caslon Fisherman’s Turtleneck Sweater I don’t know about you, but when I was a kid I lived in turtlenecks. Mostly because my mom did her best to keep us from getting sick during the brutal NY winters, but little did she know I actually enjoyed the secure feelings it gave me. I found this rich grey turtle neck sweater for just $4. I love the embellished knitting along the sleeves and the dense cotton fabric that pairs perfectly with any pant.

Banana Republic Cropped Knitted Sweater: That title almost sounds like an oxymoron right? But this sweater I found from J. Crew pulls its weight and provides the perfect amount of warmth! The thick cotton fabric, vented hem on the back and the bright red color all work in tandem to make me appear that I spent way more time on planning the outfit than I actually did- that’s a win, win for me!

Tops / Blouses

Ann Taylor Striped Top: When I was thinking of staple pieces, this style and pattern came up the most in my search results. I found this in new condition for only $2! The 3/4 sleeves provide warmth without sacrificing comfort (I don’t like long sleeve tops) and the horizontal stripes are complimentarily to tall frame! I like this style so much, I also found the same shirt, but in short sleeve!

Denim Chambray Button Up: Everyone has a denim Chambray top right? But I wanted one that had more personality than most. I saw this top and knew it was the one. What I love most is the deep V neck line that compliments bottom hem! It reminded me of a tuxedo jacket and without much more thought, I added it to my closet!

Green Camo Tee Shirt: A tee shirt may not seem like the most seasonal appropriate item to add to your closet during cooler months, but think of it as an opportunity to use as a laying piece! I found this top on sale at Macy’s for just under $7. I love wearing it on the weekends when I’m running errands or just kickin’ it around the house.

Shoes

Caslon Leather Ankle Boots: Originally when I saw these boots I wanted to sell them. Being that they are a size 11, black, and fall appropriate. They would be hard to come by for the average big foot girl (speaking from experience) However, I looked at my existing closet and noticed that my current boots were a bit beaten up, so much so I took a second look at these and told myself “I’ll only wear them once, what’s the harm in that?”. Well- as any re-seller would know, don’t wear your merchandise cause it will never get sold. And that’s exactly what happened. Now these shoes are now-forever mine lol.  I found these at the thrifts for $10.

Nine West Laser Cut Loafers: Similar to the Caslon boots, these were also originally intended to sell (I have a problem haha) but after listing and relisting these Nine West shoes twice I decided that they could join my shoe gang. I primarily wear these to work since they are appropriate for any look and add a spin to the usual loafer look with the exposed laser cut on the sides. I’m a fan of subtitle details and low prices like $12 that I found these for!

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Fashion, poshmark, Turning a Profit

How to Earn $800 by Reselling Clothing Online: My October Reselling Sales Report!

As we wind-down the month of October and prepare for November, I would like to share my sales over the last month with you all. Similar to my previous post recapping the month of September, I will list items by brands that sold and the profits I took from it!

Between both platforms in the month of September I made just under $800 net (after fee’s taken from platforms & shipping) selling items from my personal wardrobe and from sourcing at my local thrift stores! In comparison to last month, my profits are a bit lower and there are reasons for that. I took this month as an opportunity to focus on my wardrobe and created a capsule collection of pieces that were versatile and warm to get me through the chilly seasonal months to come. That included shifting through clothes I already owned as well as shopping for new pieces at the thrift store.

Compare best practices on how to prepare your wardrobe for the upcoming winter season!

If you have any questions about how to get started with your own Poshmark closet, feel free to message me and check out my closet in the meantime for inspiration!

Items that’s sold in October:

  1. PRIMA J.Jill Pure Tee Shirt -$25
  2. ALDO Boots-$10.05
  3. LOFT-$10.05
  4. Who What Wear Skirt (Re-Posh)-$12
  5. UGG Duck Boot-$76
  6. Bundle of Joe Jeans, Belle Sleeve Floral Top, Madewell Tunic-$72.71
  7. Bundle of Lululemon and Patagonia Fleece-$57.51
  8. Anthropologie Pop over Top-$11.05
  9. Deletta Top-$5.51
  10. PAIGE Skyline Skinnies -$17.51
  11. PINK Crushed Velvet Bralette-$4.00
  12. PURE J. Jill Sweater-$20.80
  13. Steve Madden Vest-$17.60
  14. KIMICHI Blue Sweater-$12
  15. Zara Men Denim Top-$11.11
  16. Terri Jon Velvet Blazer-$17.51
  17. Club Monaco Cardigan-$7.91
  18. Sam Edelman Booties -$30.31
  19. Lilly Pulitzer Sweater-$31.20
  20. Ann Taylor Blouse-$9.51
  21. GAP Vintage Denim Jacket-$16
  22. Sam Edelman Espadrilles- $11.05
  23. J. Crew Sheath Dress-$13.51
  24. LulaRoe Dress- $21.51
  25. Ann Taylor Silk Skirt-$5.51

BONUS Sold Items From Ebay!4

  1. Patagonia Blouse-$15
  2. Zara Top-$3
  3. Athleta Zip Hoodie-$36
  4. Soft Surroundings Caftan Robe-$40
  5. UGG Boots-$45
  6. Banana Republic Blazer-$5
  7. White Mountain Booties -$16
  8. American Eagle BF Top-$14
  9. VICE Sweater-$15
  10. American Eagle BF Button Up-$15

 

If you enjoy this post after reading it, please use this list for inspiration during your next sourcing trip or when you’re wondering what to list for profit!

Good Luck,

xo

Danielle

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Fashion, Lifestyle

The New Sustainable Way to Clean Your Garments (And What You’ve Being Doing Wrong For Years)

So from the title alone, you are probably wondering, “How can I clean my clothes in a sustainable way? – is that possible?”

Of course!

Let me give you some tips to try the next time you’re ready to load up your washer and dryer.

First, if you haven’t already, take a moment to read my earlier post on how to build a sustainable wardrobe to understand the importance of seeking natural fabrics when shopping for new clothing; you’ll get a better idea of how to commit to avoid shopping fast fashion retailers that contribute to the growing waste in our landfills. After reading, revisit this post to learn Eco-friendly ways to maintain a clean & sustainable wardrobe!

#1 Avoid Using the Dryer- Without putting in too much effort, I have already practiced this tip for several years! I learned this from childhood while watching my mom and grandma hang their clothes out on the line to dry. For them it was about saving on electricity. Using less energy is always a good idea for your wallet, an more importantly for the environment, so give it a try! This method also allows you to get a nice and even dry to your clothes in one attempt. Winter weather where you are? Try putting your clothes on hangers and hanging them along the shower rod or a garment rack. Place them near a window with ample sunlight to help the drying process.

#2 Turn you Clothes Inside Out- Another tip I learned from my mother (good job, mom!). Turning your clothes inside out not only will ensure your clothes are being thoroughly washed on both sides, but believe it or not, it will extend the lifespan of your clothing by preserving  the outside (the part that everyone sees) over a period of time. Washing clothing in washer machines are rough to our clothing so why not do everything you can to keep them looking their best?

#3 Cold Wash- This one might confuse some but, about 90% of washers use their energy to simply heat the water, leaving only 10% of the machines energy to spin the motor that washes the clothes…That proportion seems a bit off, don’t ya think? Luckily, there are laundry detergents that will wash your clothes just as well through a cold cycle as it does during a warm/ hot one. Besides, its about the soap cleaning your clothes, not the water temperature. Extreme temperatures to our clothing can cause theme to loose their structure over time, so go for the cold if you can.

*Bonus* If you choose this option, remember that liquid detergents are best for cold water as many powder detergents need warm water to dissolve thoroughly into the water.

Here are my favorite choices Lavender Liquid Laundry Detergent  and  Tide Cold Water Clean also Mrs. Myers

You can find a list of other eco brands here

#4 Baking Soda- Who would have thought there was ANOTHER use for baking soda? Sprinkle a bit into your laundry before washing to give it a boost in cleaning and deodorizing. It will also assist in maintaining your beautiful bright clothes!

#5 Put Down the Dryer Sheets- This is a no-brainer. Using fabric softeners and dryer sheets release harmful chemicals that break down the fabrics of our clothing with continuous use. Use a more sustainable product like dryer balls. They come in fun colors and are relatively in expensive to purchase! Try these wool dryer balls

What are your eco friendly sustainable methods during laundry day? I would love to hear your tips in the comments!

xo

Danielle

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Fashion, Lifestyle

Can You Really Shop Sustainably? What Fabrics to Look For While Shopping for Your Wardrobe (The Answer Might Surprise You)

Have you ever wondered what happens to your clothing after it is donated? Have you wondered where they go after they have been cycled through your local thrift store? What happens if they weren’t repurchased- Is there a purgatory for used apparel after it is given away? (Um, no)…Unfortunately, the reality is that your clothing sits and clogs landfills. And while most of us are already donating to secondhand locations, a good portion of clothing is still ending up in landfills around the world leaving a toxic footprint in our environment and contributing to sources of greenhouse gas emissions, according to a report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

In addition, while textiles are a smaller portion of our landfill waste at 5.2 percent or 13.1 million tons, most of this waste is not recovered for recycling like other Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). It’s among the lowest on the recycling rung, right near food waste and wood.

So how can you (we) assist in eliminating textile waste that doesn’t break the bank? The easiest way can be as simply beginning to shop smarter by choosing  sustainable fabrics that reduce the environmental impact. Again, many of us are doing our fair share of recycling our textiles to charity donations. Other ways include shopping secondhand and reselling items online from your wardrobe. But what else can we do? The best way to eliminate your footprint is to first choose fabrics that are sustainable, or organic fabrics that will naturally decompose in a bio-friendly way! This is the easiest leap you can make RIGHT NOW in committing to a sustainable lifestyle and eliminate fast fashion waste.

Just think about it- comparing the amount of materials recycled to the overall impact on the environment, it becomes clear that clothing and textiles are not a priority as other recyclable goods like aluminum, plastic, glass, and paper. When you think of recycling clothing, we tend to think of donating or reusing them. Understanding the textile life-cycle is something we all should be conscious of in order to help us make better future purchases.

Take a look at a list of fabrics recommended by The Commissioner for Sustainability and Environment  that will help you identify what fabrics to pick up the next time you are shopping.

  1. Organic Cotton: Cotton is proabably the most reconizable fabric on the planet and many of us probably already own many pieces that contain it. Unfortunately, cotton has a high environmental impact. Choose clothing made from organic cotton or fair-trade cotton. You should always check the percentage of cotton in your fabrics (many times they are blended with other fabrics) by checking the care tag. These tags can be found in the inside lining of your clothing that break down exactly what your textiles are made of.
  2. Linen: Linen tends to be an exclusive fabric and can be found in clothing or bedding. It is known most commonly by providing converage to the skin while keeping you cool in the heat. All the more reason to choose this fabric during the warmer seasons. Linen is made from flaxseeds grown in Europe & China and may be bleached to add color (depending on the garment) but is traditionally white in color.
  3. Silk: This option is not best for vegans since it is the product of the casing from the silk worm. The process has a very low enviromental impact when extracted traditionally through Chinnese methods. While silk is also an exclusive fabric, it can be found at many retailers you may already shop with.
  4. Hemp: Hemp fabric is extracted from the cannabis sativa plant and is as a fabric that can provide all the warmth and softness of a natural textile with a superior durability seldom found in other materials. It’s versitilitly allows for it to be spun into clothing, shoes, and be used in creating furniture!

 

From this list what are you most excited to add to your wardrobe? Are there other fabrics that you would reccomend to assist in leading a sustainable lifestyle?

Comment below!

 

Need help on where to start shopping first? Check out my Poshmark Closet!

Picture: Sarah Dorweiler, Unsplash

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Fashion, Lifestyle

Tips to Keep In Your Back Pocket To Make Sure Your Next Thrift Adventure is a Success!

I thought I would share some of my favorite thrifting tips to you the next time you are out hunting! Enjoy!

5 Savvy Tips to Keep in Your Back Pocket for a Day Thrifting:

  • Research the trends: Typically, I always have an idea of what I am looking for when I walk into the store. To prepare, do your own research and gather inspiration from latest fashion blogs, magazines, or browse Pinterest for the latest trends!
  • Make a list: If you’re like me, your mental calendar is a little unreliable sometimes, so write your ideas down! Get a strategy of items that are must haves to pick up during your trip- you’ll save yourself the headache of trying to decide at the register when it’s finally time to check out!
  • Keep it simple!: I cannot stress this enough- Trust me, dressing for success while shopping includes wearing a loose fitting top, flat shoes, and bottoms you can easily get in and out off will keep you comfortable while browsing the isles & in the fitting rooms.
  • Patience, is a virtue: Sometimes the perfect find takes time, so thrift often! Best times to shop are post-holiday and spring cleaning for incredible inventory options!
  • HAVE FUN! Always remember to have fun with your style and during thrifting. Don’t be afraid to take those risks without going broke during your trip!

BONUS Tip:

  • I love to start in the same section every thrift trip. Mine happens to be shoes or dress. I normally have the most energy when I begin shopping which is perfect since these sections can get pretty crowded!

 

What are some tips that you keep in mind while shopping? Leave a comment below 🙂

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Fashion, Lifestyle

Welcome to the Blog!

I’m so excited you made it! My main goal here is to demonstrate the fantastic world that thrifting and shopping second hand brings to my life. It is more than a hobby for me, it’s a lifestyle! I hope you gain some fabulous tips & tricks as you follow this blog! Catch ya at my next post!

 

-Danielle Elizabeth

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