Changing My Perspective: My Path to a Sustainable Wardrobe -

My Un-Sustainable Wardrobe

I used to wear fast fashion, mostly synthetic fabrics, as well as some quality pieces for years – like each individual piece lasted me years. Loehmann’s, thrift stores, TJ Maxx, and fast fashion stores like H&M were my favorite places to shop. I shopped at least once a week and made plans with friends to shop together where we would never end a shopping experience without a bag of new clothes. I thought retail therapy was a good use of my time and money. It seemed to fill something inside of me; it was a part of my identity.

A coworker once said that she didn’t see me wear the same clothes twice the entire school year (we were teachers so that’s 180 days of new outfits). I took that as a complement as I carefully planned to wear the clothing and shoes stuffed into two walk-in closets. I did keep my clothes for years, and worked to wear each item at least once each year. My wardrobe was pared down a couple times a year. Worn out fast fashion items were thrown away as they fell apart or looked pilled and junky. Nicer looking pieces made their way to the thrift store in a huge garbage bag.

A 20 something-year-old Lara in a white tunic and orange shorts leans against a car. — In my trendy, retail therapy, fast fashion finds. All these items are long gone… tossed into a garbage bag or dropped at Goodwill. I really can’t remember because my perspective was very different then.

Lara in a brown tank dress with a colorful shawl around her wrist. — In my trendy, retail therapy, fast fashion finds. All these items are long gone… tossed into a garbage bag or dropped at Goodwill. I really can’t remember because my perspective was very different then.

Changing My Perspective and Wardrobe

a couple years of yoga and meditation

I would like to say that I suddenly discovered a new way of being and changed the way I spent time and money. This is not the case. I started to change my perspective on clothing about 12 years ago. I discovered that I liked spending my time and money in the yoga studio, getting to know myself better bit by bit. As I did, I found my interest in shopping and fashion shrinking.

TCM and changing my perspective

My introduction to TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), Qi Gong, and the teachings of Master Nan Lu in 2012. I again changed the way I spent time and money. Attending weekly classes with my favorite local teacher, and practiced at home, work, and even when driving (perspective and reaction can be practiced anywhere). I learned and implemented some teachings and soon I began looking at everything in my life differently. My perspective on my own identity was a large part of this.

Without getting too deep in this post; I discovered that I was connecting my self-worth and identity with being a professional, an educated woman, a fashionista, and having a home worthy of an HGTV episode. In other words I was not listening to my inner guide, my gut, or following my heart. I was allowing our society to dictate to me what I should value. A career, a beautiful home, nice things – that’s the American dream. Right? Turns out, it’s not for me.

my perspective and sustainable wardrobe after 6 years in an RV

Living in an RV means I need a very small wardrobe. I do need winter outerwear and summer swimwear, but really a few outfits for each season is plenty. We move every couple weeks so I have very little chance of seeing people more than once. When we visit friends and family I basically had a sustainable wardrobe (also sort of an unplanned and not as cute as what you see on Pinterest capsul wardrobe). It was enough and suited my lifestyle. I kept and bought used clothing and shoes that I was comfortable in as my first priority.

Lara and Andrew with a canyon in the background. Lara is wearing her white and grey button down shirt. — Free People shirt -20 yrs old

Lara stands in the desert wearing a floral swim tank, tan pants and her button down grey and white shirt tied around her waist. — Free People shirt -20 yrs old

My New Sustainable Perspective and Wardrobe

It’s 2022 and I’m joining a community. We’ll be living in Duluth, MN for 5 or 6 months a year. I will see people on a more regular basis and so I am building a new wardrobe that fits who I am now. My wardrobe is as sustainable as possible and includes items I’ve had for years and “new to me” pieces. I have made a conscious decision not to buy new clothing unless it is in a consignment, resale, or thrift store. Why? Because I have learned a lot about the fashion industry, reuse vs recycling, consumerism, and all the waste and trash being created by the choices I make. I want a comfortable, sustainable wardrobe.

My fashion priorities after reuse are comfort, natural fabrics, and colors and cuts that suit my long torso and no longer stick-thin figure. I may buy some new shoes, but recently I have been happy with resale apps like Poshmark and ThreadUp to find the shoes I want in my size. I’ll share my sustainable shopping experiences in future posts!