How to Be Trendy & Mindful
Image by Ihor Rapita
Happy Spring! It's finally officially spring. Flowers are in full bloom and we get to bask in the sunshine a little bit longer. This season's trends are hitting the stores, some of them being standout stripes, 80s throwback accents, and pendant necklaces.
With every new season, comes more temptation. This time of year makes it harder to resist fast fashion. However, it's not all doom and gloom. There is one sustainable fabric that you can bet to see in stores, and it benefits more than just your wardrobe!
Look for Linen
That's right, you should be on the lookout for linen! It comes around in the spring and summer typically in the forms of men's shirting and breathable bottoms. It's more than just a breathable, climate-adapting fabric. Linen fibers come from the flaxseed plant, one of the strongest fiber-producing plants next to bamboo. Egyptians used linen as sails, bandages, and reserved it for the wealthy. Romans and Greeks wore linen togas daily decorated with intricate designs and detailing.
You might want to start incorporating more linen into your wardrobe this season, especially if you have sensitive skin and are prone to ailments! Linen is not only all-natural, but it is also antibacterial and helps to soothe skin irritations. That's why it's more common to see linen used to make towels and bedsheets.
Look for Low-Impact Fabrics & Care Instructions
As far as sustainability goes, linen uses 20% less water during processing than cotton, is biodegradable, and supports zero waste production and processing. You'll also find that linen is usually compliant with organic standards, as the flaxseed plant requires little to no pesticides compared to other natural plants.
So now you know that linen is pretty cool, but it doesn't get the mass praise it deserves because of how easily it wrinkles. For a time where cheap and trendy clothing is popular, most people find natural fabrics to be too difficult to care for. The fabrics that are better for you and the environment are losing out to toxic, man-made, low-grade materials. We are in an ongoing cycle of consumption and waste. We are so terrified of being off-trend that we are buying blind and purging our closets the next season. There is no research, thought, or appreciation for our clothes anymore.
Researching the fabrics and materials that make up that hot, new bargain is the start and only takes five minutes! You'd be surprised what you find on polyester and rayon/viscose, which are synthetic fabrics ruling the fashion giants and their lightning-fast production times.
Shop for Utility
Just to show that you can be eco-chic this spring, I searched long and hard for the perfect, summer staple shoe: the espadrille. I didn't have to go very far to find these metallic gold, linen, and cruelty-free espadrilles at Soludos! They're lightweight, breathable, and absolutely comfortable. They made exploring my local park effortless, which means bring on the adventures in my book.
Paired with a rainbow-striped top and boyfriend jeans, the platform gladiator sandal looked fresh and not "so last season." They moved with my feet and not against them. They didn't rub or cause any irritation. They adapted to each new climate, and I never had the icky feeling of sweaty feet.
If you've been wondering why your clothes just don't seem to last as long anymore, investigate them. Being an informed consumer starts with a little bit of research. Think about the ethics and environmental impacts behind your bright, spring-ready wardrobe this season. Don't let the fear of being off-trend scare you into unethical and unhealthy shopping/purging habits.