Sustainable Fashion; A Lifestyle Not A Trend.

While I write this post, I am not going to claim my entire lifestyle is hinged on sustainability, but I can categorically say 55% of the items in my closet are second hand. This year, sustainable and ethical fashion became frontlines in the fashion world. Brands quickly adjusted to the society needs of sustainable clothing, hence they created a new line tagging it “Sustainable”

Before we dive into this post, don’t forget to check out my Instagram Page and Youtube Channel for all things Fashion and Beauty.

Before living in the US, I had never heard the word “Thrifting”. I didn’t know what it was or what it meant until I asked a friend who I had met during my first months here, and she said ‘It is buying second hand or used clothing”. I was taking aback first but decided to look into it. My first encounter with a second hand shop was Goodwill and I instantly fell in love with the clothes. They were different, they were unique and they were rare to find. Although not every single item was in good condition, I loved the idea of searching, finding and owning a piece of clothing that was not only unique, but at a very inexpensive price.

At that time, sustainable/ethical fashion wasn’t talked about so much because I remember having an awkward conversation with a lady who talk down on “Thrifting” which was substandard too her and her style. I convinced her to try it out and she will be amazed at what she would find.

Thrifting fast became my lifestyle, It became a thrill for me, the art of digging for gold because I was lucky most times to find quality clothing, designer items and new ones with tag on them. The more I thrifted, the more I appreciated second hand items and the benefits derived thereafter.

For every time I wore a thrifted item, I always got compliments and asked where I got it from. Then I realized it became part of me to always visit the thrift store in search of one-of-a-kind item, then I knew Vintage Pieces were the target, the 60s, 70s, 80s, the wools, the cottons, the silks etc these became my pin points when thrifting.

Of course I had to wear something second hand for this Blog post. My sweater and bell bottoms are from Clothes Mentor, a Second Hand (Sustainable) clothing store that I came to know when I started living in Oklahoma City. Although their price points are different from what you will ordinarily see in a Goodwill, they carry mostly Designer or High end brands which explains why their prices differ much from Goodwill. The moment I saw both items, I knew they were coming home with me and they cost less than $25 with the bell bottom still new with tags on { Actually a JustFab Bell Bottoms which will definitely be more expensive if I bought them directly from their website]

Not only did I limit my sustainable lifelstyle to my personal clothing, I began to shop for some home decor to add that unique touch to my house. Then it because a regular activity for me to find coffee table decor pieces or some jewelry plates. These items have become a part of my home and they add that unique look to the appearance of my home.

I could go on and list the benefits of sustainable fashion or lifestyle but the one point I will buttress on, is the cost effect on shopping second hand. If I had to pay full price of some Vintage Coats I own, I would have racked up close to $2000 in bill but I have spent nothing more than $150 on all my Vintage Coats because I paid between $9-$12 for each Vintage Coat and they are from the 60s and 70s, good quality, good fabric and rare to find.

My love for Vintage Clothes, gave me the push to start My Online Vintage Clothing Shop on Etsy, to create more awareness to second hand shopping as well as help those who love second hand pieces, but find it daunting to visit the Thrift shop. I created that One-Stop-Shop for unique pieces for all women in different shapes and sizes.

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