We’re Consciously Building Our Fall Wardrobes

By Sara Volka

It is no lie that the digital age has brought many new trends to the forefront of our screens. A seemingly endless stream of must-haves for every season, every occasion, most of which move faster than the act of clicking “add to bag.” While trends can be a fun way to connect with others, we can all relate to the overwhelm that they can create. Not only this, but fast fashion trends can be incredibly harmful to the planet.

As the new school year approaches, and as we are all curating our rebrands, it is easy to fall even further into the rush of blindly buying. But girls, before you enter that credit card info, there are so many other ways to build your dream wardrobe for the year– all while making it authentically yours. We don’t need to break the bank scrambling for all the hot, new, fresh pieces!

As of late, I have been seeing a lot of conversation surrounding the resurgence of fashion trends from the early 2000s, specifically that of 2009-2010 fall wear. There are many reasons as to why fashion goes through such cycles, most of which can be accredited to things like nostalgia, social media influence, and even the current political climate. So, with the cyclical nature of these vintage revivals, it's not surprising to see henley tops, lace tanks, and even our old friend skinny jeans projected to be in fall trends this year.

With all that has been said, I do want you to know that it's not a bad thing to want to participate in the fashion forecast for this fall. All I’m saying is that there are a few more mindful ways to go about it other than buying overpriced pieces from big brands. With that being said, here are a few ways to elevate your closet without contributing to the destructiveness that trend cycles can cause.

1. Upcycling

One of the best ways to update your closet is by simply enhancing it yourself. Henley tops and lace tank tops do not have to be bought new. That tank that’s been sitting there for months without use? Grab some lace from a local store and sew it on! Add bows to your basics, flowers, cute mismatch buttons. You even could use fabric from other shirts you no longer wear to create new designs on your baby tee’s.

The tiniest crafts such as these can make an old piece entirely new, while also catering to your newfound fashion sense! If you need some more ideas on what to upcycle and how, here's an article that covers numerous ways to do so. It doesn’t just have to be shirts!

2. Thrifting

One of my personal favorite ways to update my wardrobe is by thrifting with my friends. You can’t lie, getting a coffee and hitting your favorite shops is one of the best feelings out there, especially if you find exactly what you’ve been looking for. With the comeback of early 2000s trends, thrift stores are the perfect stop to find inexpensive and sustainable pieces.

However, if you and your girls do decide to hit the thrift, it's important that you also bring some of your own clothes to donate. While buying secondhand clothing is certainly more mindful, we can contribute more to sustainability by giving away the pieces we haven’t been wearing. Vast consumerism is out! It’s time we start contributing to the world around us.

3.  Mindful Purchasing

If you really do want to buy new clothes for this upcoming school year, it's imperative that you take some steps before purchasing. For example, eye your own closet and note what is essential to buy. Making a list for your fall needs allows you to eliminate unnecessary spending. Evaluating your closet can also lead to you possibly upheaving any old items, ones that you can maybe even bring back into rotation. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve cleaned my closet and found shirts that I repurposed.

Additionally, research the brands that you are buying from! Are they sustainable? Are their clothes made from materials that will last? It’s important to ask yourself these types of questions to avoid buying items that may go to waste. For a more sustainable online search, apps like Depop, Vinted, and Etsy are great, especially for handmade pieces!

Overall, there are various outlets to use in curating a more conscious wardrobe this season. These are just a few ways to be more thoughtful in the process of finding pieces that emulate our sense of self. I hope that these tips allow you to have fun in your search while being mindful of the world around you. Happy almost-fall, girls!