Very informative!!!

I think buying things thrifted is the best way to shop sustainably. That way nothing new is being made or wasted. Awesome video Verena!

@MyGreenCloset

9 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Plus it can be so fun, like a treasure hunt :)

@ashlynnkaplan1369

9 жыл бұрын

Live Intentionally This is how I shop. My best looking, longest lasting, and greatest buys have all been from second hand stores. It does take time and commitment but it is fun and so exciting. Just never be afraid to walk out empty handed, be picky! I started thrift shopping and used to get everything that I kind of liked and ended up donating it back... now I am picky and it pays well (literally!)

fantastic! thank you

I wear SOS from Texas clothes and a few from charity shops. The first is organic USA cotton shipped to a mill in North Carolina and woven, then sewn in a local fair paid factory in Wendell, NC. It's very soft and durable...no chemicals in the clothes, either...just simple clothes. The fabric makes a lovely skirt that drapes beautifully and has a pretty sway...a little elastic and a-line cut to your hip size. There you are!!!

I saw "The True Cost" and it's been hard for me to shop again. Thank you for the different options to shop responsibly. Keep up the good work! Great Channel!

@MyGreenCloset

8 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

Very good video! Congrats

I have been saving to purchase eco and ethical clothes and I am also fortunate to have clothes and accessories passed down from my mum, grandmother and great, great grandmother. I try to look at the positives in regards to environmental issues but I think it is sometimes useful to view the negative side of current practices. This is particularly evident with the proposed Adani Carmichael mine (in Australia, where I live) and by raising awareness more people can understand the environmental impact this proposed mine will have.

This has to be one of my favourite videos from you! And I agree, we should think about the things that we CAN do. I have to say, there are a few "problems" for me with ethical brands as well. I also find it quite difficult to find items that I love, and I don´t want to buy things that are just "okay" because I know that I will eventually stop to wear them. I feel like there are a lot of very sporty styles out there, as well as quite "old fashioned" ones, but not a whole lot in between, but I also feel like it´s slowly getting "better". My second problem is sizing as well. Like some of your other commenters, I am quite tall (183 cm). Finding Shirts is not that much of a problem (although sometimes a normal shirt can look like a crop top), but I feel like jeans or sweaters and jackets/coats, are very hard to find. I needed a new winter coat last year, but I did not buy one because I simply didn´t find one. About simply buying less to make up for the cost - I really think that is the way to go. I´ve never been a huge shopper ( max. 1 piece every other month I´d say), so for me that´s nothing new. But it also means that I have to cut back on other things if I want to buy an eco fashion item, like saving for travel. Thrifting is a great way to shop eco friendly, unfortuntely I have to thrift online ( I use Kleiderkreisel.de, but you have to be a little bit carfeful since you can´t really look at the items) because there are no thrift shops were I live.

@MyGreenCloset

9 жыл бұрын

Thank you!! It's definitely frustrating to not be able to find the clothing you want :( but I really do think that it's going to improve as more and more people learn about what goes on in the fashion industry. Also I've never heard of kleiderkreisel.de, do you find it better than ebay?

All your points are on point! Just recently this summer I started to think this way about shopping and values, and the documentary "true cost" really was an eye opener too. I am very happy about what I did buy for there last months, although it´s not so much but it will last me for a long time and secondhand shopping makes me able to hunt for things on that never ending wish list with great satisfaction. I usually buy secondhand online because then I can just search for items in a second by type or brand very easy. I also find it easier to stop impulse shop, and it don´t clutter at home either when it takes some effort to go shopping.

@MyGreenCloset

8 жыл бұрын

Thank you!! Secondhand shopping is the best, but I haven't done much of it online. Which websites do you like to use for secondhand clothes?

@steppythegirl

8 жыл бұрын

I use a local norwegian site called "finn", i like to meet the sellers in person :)

I've shared your video on my 'minimalist/zero-waste/' Fb page Simplement Emm. This kind of positive attitude is what we need to stay motivated and inspired to try to be better and consum better! Thanks again :-*

@MyGreenCloset

9 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!! :)

I loved every word of this!!! :) I haven't bought anything from eco-fashion brands yet, but I try to be conscious with my clothes.I am becoming a minimalist and I've downsized my wardrobe to 1/3 of what it was, and all these clothes I gave them to my mom, to a friend of mine, to a charity, and h&m's recycling movement(even though I really have doubts about if these garments are really recycled).Everything I had found a new home and a person to enjoy it, and since then I've reduced my purchases.I buy only what I need-and never again jeans.I also hand-wash many of my clothes, and if I put them in the laundry, I choose a program that lasts less time, for lower consumption of electricity and water, and less chemical waste.Your videos have really inspired me!You show that even the smallest movement from an individual can make changes, and we should all contribute to living in a better planet-better for the environment, animals and humen.Keep inspiring us Erin! :)

@MyGreenCloset

9 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!! That's really lovely and encouraging to hear!

@angelaotimo9297

9 жыл бұрын

+My Green Closet You are very inspiring!I love the inner peace, the serenity you transmit to us, and it's obvious that you're a true minimalist, on a great journey finding yourself and becoming your greatest version, and inspiring us to do so!I really enjoy my small wardrobe, it's such a liberating feeling, I wish I knew about capsule dressing earlier, and I recommend to everyone to try it! :)

This was awesome as your channel in general is :) thank you so much for your videos. I live in Valencia, Spain, and here it's nearly impossible to wander around any city and not bump into an Inditex shop (Zara, etc.). Luckily, there are more and more secondhand alternatives popping up, but there is a looong way to go, especially in smaller towns, to change the mindset of youth and adults who glamorize Inditex and Mango, and think they are good for the country (when in reality, richest man alive & Zara owner Amancio Ortega doesn't even pay his taxes in Spain). The power big clothing chains have in our cities, buying historical properties, with ads and marketing etc. really frightens me. I'm glad more and more people are turning green, for ethical or even shallow reasons, because every little helps. Thanks Erin for your inspiring haven online! xxx

@MyGreenCloset

8 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!! That's really sad to hear. It's crazy that the owner of Zara is so rich and they pay their garment workers so poorly! Great that more secondhand alternatives are becoming available though, even if it's slow it's still change in a better direction. :) Thanks for sharing! It's always really interesting to learn what fast fashion and ethical fashion is like in other countries and what consumer's attitudes around it are. I'd love to hear more about it! Are there many small/independent designers and brands in Spain or mostly just large corporate retailers?

@aflyingpaloma

8 жыл бұрын

+My Green Closet yes, almost everyone who works for Zara/Inditex has an unfair wage, from the sewers and manufacturers to the people in retail and their headquarters... with the added pressure of having to design/produce/sell lots of clothes in very tight deadlines! Some of their higher quality shoes and bags are manufactured in Spain, but that's as far as it goes. There are some independent designers, but they are mostly on the higher end/luxury targeted, and I still have to find an ethical clothing brand from Spain that I like. Most consumers don't have the mindset yet, so designers with this spirit move to England, Germany, or Skandi countries. On the other hand, vintage/secondhand stores have become very popular among youth in the past years, so people don't give you the look when you're wearing vintage or "outdated" clothes. That was a big step! Gives you an impression about how old-fashioned and closed-minded our society is. Sadly, more and more independent retailers here are selling China imported clothing, because they care about the profit and the client just cares about the aesthetic and cheap price tag. The artisanal industry is becoming relevant again because of accessories, but they are more difficult to find. There is this general perception of large retailers like Zara, Mango, H&M and Inditex brands that they are "good quality at low price". I'm always reading and hearing from foreigners that Spanish women are really well dressed despite the economic crisis, but of course it comes at the price of these fast-fashion companies being omnipresent in our cities. I don't think statements like that help change the general mindset towards sustainable shopping. You live in Germany, right? It's heaven there! I travel often to Hamburg and it's great to see how different the retail options are from Valencia or even Barcelona and Madrid. So many things are aimed to be practical and sustainable... hopefully we will become more like them in the near future. Sorry for the lenght haha, hope it was insightful xxx

@MyGreenCloset

8 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for the in-depth response! That's really interesting, I hope things will improve and secondhand will continue to become more popular. It's definitely difficult when fast fashion has so much power and there are few alternatives.

Absolutely love this video. So much great information. Thanks! By the way your hair looks magical.

amazing video i want that all the people on the planet have an opportunity to watch it

Really like this​ video! Just discovered your channel, keep up the great work x

This was such an interesting and helpful video! It gave me quite a lot to think about thank you. And this: "Just because someone is willing to do a job to survive or to support their family doesn't mean that it's ever okay to take advantage of that or to exploit them."... wow, right on the money. (Pardon the pun.)

Fantastic and informative, thank you. Made me hit the subscribe button xx

@MyGreenCloset

8 жыл бұрын

Thank you! :)

Consumers do have a power. Demand (the amount of products consumers are willing to buy at a certain price) is an important factor for these companies. So when a majority of their buyers shifts to another company, revenue drops, these companies might be triggered to overthink their actions. Love your videos! xx

Definitely going to check out the true cost, thank you for recommending it! Really enjoyed this video, and completely agree with your sentiments on how there's a misconception that organic clothing is hippie hemp clothing!

@MyGreenCloset

9 жыл бұрын

I'd love to hear what you think of it!

Love your videos. They're so informative. I'm so glad that a channel like yours exists.

@MyGreenCloset

9 жыл бұрын

+yous n Thank you!!

I just watched the doc you recommended on Netflix. I've made an effort for years to purchase my clothing second hand, but occasionally I have added articles of clothing to my wardrobe from the worst of the worst (when it comes to human rights/ environmental/ sustainable practices). I've realized that I need to eliminate that purchasing behavior no matter how small it may seem. Your videos inspire me to be better. Thanks for that xx

This is a great video, thank you. I secondhand shop most of my wardrobe and invest in some great quality items made from hand or eco-friendly shops. Even the clothes from the thrift store are better quality than any "cheap" stores. I found that most clothes I bought were made in Canada or England, which is great!

@MyGreenCloset

9 жыл бұрын

That's really awesome! It's so exciting when you find beautiful, well-made items in a thrift store :)

love this! thank you! When thrifting is there specific things/points I should keep in mind or look for? I'm so new to this in case you couldn't tell. lol. Can't wait for your next video!

@MyGreenCloset

9 жыл бұрын

Thanks!! I'm going to be doing a video soon about how I thrift shop and what I look for, but generally I think you just need to make sure the item is in good shape (no holes, stains etc.) and that it's something you'll wear :) The only thing I do make sure to avoid is clothing with very visible logos or brand names because I don't want to be promoting unethical brands. Hope that helps a bit! Enjoy thrifting!!

@nicolewells5196

9 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Thanks! Cant wait for your next video!

i am so freaking happy that I found your channel! You are so articulate and optimistic. It gives me hope for a larger sustainable fashion movement!

@MyGreenCloset

8 жыл бұрын

I'm so happy you found it too! Thank you so much

@MyGreenCloset

8 жыл бұрын

I'm so happy you found it too! Thank you so much

You have inspired me to do a capsule wardrobe! I will be starting in the fall. I will plan my outfits in September and start in October! I am extremly excited! I realize already i have a lot of clothes that dont work well together therefore really dont get enough wear!

@MyGreenCloset

9 жыл бұрын

That's so exciting!! I wish you all the best with it and please keep me updated on how it goes :)

Thank you for this video. I am reading Overdrssed, and I will definitely watch The True Cost.

@MyGreenCloset

9 жыл бұрын

I'd love to hear your thoughts on them!

Really great job! I am very interested in the care of clothing video. when I buy ethical clothes, they often seem to need very time consuming care ie separate wash on delicate, hang to dry. It's hard for a busy mom!

@selina5598

8 жыл бұрын

+jayathome I find that hand washing does the trick

True girl! So true! I'm compiling a list for my blog currently! :)

@MyGreenCloset

8 жыл бұрын

Nice! What's your blog?

@beyoutifulhope

8 жыл бұрын

I blog at Beyoutiful Hope! I have a youtube channel too - you should sub! :) (Just posted a new vid yesterday) Love your videos. Do you know of any Spanish speaking ethical fashion bloggers/vloggers?

I really like your content, your message, and your positive outlook. Second-hand shopping, trading off with a friend who is the same size, tailoring, and sewing your own clothes (and choosing eco-friendly fabric) are all ways to keep costs low while being mindful of eco-fashion. I particularly like your statement about simply buying fewer clothes. We seem to be a very shopping- and acquisition-oriented society. I like the idea of a smaller, but better quality, sustainable wardrobe.

@MyGreenCloset

9 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I can't believe I forgot to talk about sewing your own clothes! Great point, it's definitely a good way to save money and you can also create exactly the style you like :)

I really love your channel and find all of your videos very informative and thought-provoking. Also, can I just say your hair is stunning! It looks so shiny and healthy, just wow!

@MyGreenCloset

8 жыл бұрын

Aw thank you! :)

so enjoyed, I'm a handmade designer on Etsy. I agree with every word! It's so easy to make others pay for our lifestyle. Be more careful and make considered clothing purchases, be less trend driven. If you look at a garment and say I can't make it for that price, well you can't make it for that price. Well said video, thanks for sharing.

I just started a capsule wardrobe and I am planning out a few, quality, ethically made purchases that I want to pursue over the next year. Your videos have been so helpful, thank you!

I have a bit of a hangup with the fact that ethical brands seemingly decided it was more important to expand to suit a range of styles before sizes (and I'm a standard size). And I would advise caution when shopping on Etsy; there is a lot of what seems to be fast or unethical fashion lurking on there, even at "bespoke" prices. In my experience this was particularly true when I was browsing for wedding-related things.

@mtflem05

9 жыл бұрын

Gah - I accidentally deleted the part where I started with "I think this video was really helpful and I agree with most of what you've said!" . :/

@MyGreenCloset

9 жыл бұрын

I agree, I've had questions about sustainable tall or plus size clothing brands and they are incredibly difficult to find (tall sizes are nearly impossible). I really hope this improves soon! Great point about Etsy! I haven't bought anything from there in a long time, but I did hear that they recently expanded their seller guidelines to include things you didn't personally make which I could see causes problems. I guess it's important to still research, ask questions, and read reviews. Really unfortunate that 'fake' things are being sold on Etsy though :( Have you looked into or purchased from any other Etsy-like sites?

Ahhh thank you so much. I watched this at a perfect time. I was starting to feel frustrated and wanting to buy new fall clothes, even though I already have a ton of beautiful items. This really helped me recommit.

I watched "The true cost" documentary yesterday and I was hoping to find an organization or website where I could get more information and solutions to the problem that fast fashion represents. Thank you so much for caring and creating this awesome channel.

Informative! Really glad you spoke about the misconception that workers at least have a job. I worked with an anti-human trafficking organization and learned a lot about labor trafficking. Many people are working in these conditions because they coerced to pay off a debt or are held against their will with violence. Heartbreaking. It's definitely important to inform people of what goes on behind the clothing label. I love how you show positive examples of what people can do now because switching your wardrobe can be overwhelming. Looking forward to your upcoming videos!

@MyGreenCloset

9 жыл бұрын

+Samantha Lindsey Thank you! Wow that must have been a very difficult job, but that's also amazing you worked for an organization like that. I'd be really interested to hear more about your experience and how that's affected your purchasing decisions.

second-hand shopper for life :) thank you so much for the video! xxx

I've found some nice DIYS on youtube that are good for sprucing up thrift shop finds and generic clothes from free trade brands.

Great video! I am just at the beginning of my journey and your videos helping me a lot! I have to admit that I never really thought about who is making my cloths. The video the true cost is definitely an eye opener. Thank you for your videos. The content is great and very helpful.

Great points! Another awesome video :) x

Thanks for your awesome video's. I will have to check that movie out you mentioned.

Love that Video. It's exactly what I am going through right now... It is sometimes exhausting to answer all the misconceptions, but it's defenetly worth. I do also try to concentrate on what I can do at my own little level instead of being overwhelmed by the "can't" and what needs to be done at a global level. we're on the same page ;)

@MyGreenCloset

9 жыл бұрын

That's awesome! Everyone doing the little things they can adds up to big changes! :D

Speaking of finding specific items, where have you been able to find undergarments? Specifically bras. I'm having a very difficult time finding bras that will fit my large bust. I cannot go braless all the time as much as I would love that. Thank you for sharing!

@MyGreenCloset

9 жыл бұрын

Bras have been difficult, especially because I have an uncommon size. I have a soft one that I like from Blue Canoe, and there are a couple other cloth/soft bras I've been looking at from LuvaHuva, Brook There, and Comazo | earth. But I haven't been able to find any eco-friendly molded cup/under-wire bras in my size. If you can't find an ethical option in your size I recommend just investing in quality. I bought a couple good quality bras a few years ago and took care of them, I wear them a lot and they've held up super well and are still in really good shape so I do think a quality bra is worth spending more on. I've had quite a few questions about undergarments though and I'm planning to do some more research and make a video about it with some different options and brands. :)

@ItsBeckaa

9 жыл бұрын

+My Green Closet Thank you for responding! I will definitely check out all the companies you mentioned. I have been in desperate need of new bras for a while but I didn't just want to go buy some cheap price and poor quality ones. Hopefully i can find some nice bras in my size. I would love to see a video on finding undergarments.

Big Road Block . . . .clothes that fit a 5'1" person. . . The only brand I've found that consistently provides petite sizes in Eileen Fisher. . .

@MyGreenCloset

6 жыл бұрын

There does need to be more petite options, but I'm just over 5'3" and I find most brands are ok or can be easily be tailored/shortened.

Wow I just watched the documentary you recommended! I'm totally in! Ethical, sustainable and eco friendly for life! :)

@MyGreenCloset

8 жыл бұрын

Yay! :)

@sarahbee328

8 жыл бұрын

+My Green Closet Oh and I also wanted to share this with you. For years I have had a hard time weeding out clothes when I look at everything I own, until I discovered your capsule method. Inspired by that, last night I divided all of my clothes up into seasons, and then, for the first time, I was able to see that I had way too many spring and summer clothes, so I finally edited my clothes in a way that I felt like I was keeping what I needed instead of making decisions I might regret. Never underestimate a good system! :)

@MyGreenCloset

8 жыл бұрын

That's so awesome!!

I love to dance video it's great to get this information out. Good to know that we all go through the same struggles, I'll ask again in hopes of getting the answer. What do you think about American Apparel

@MyGreenCloset

9 жыл бұрын

+Sasset Gingerelli Sorry I didn't respond to your previous comment. This is a really difficult one for me, because I have very mixed thoughts about American Apparel. Initially I loved them, they have cute clothes and their 'sweatshop free', Made in LA sales pitch was really appealing. They also started carrying more recycled and organic fabrics which was great. I never was a fan of their advertising though and then a lot of stuff came out about the owner and all the sexual harassment lawsuits and I felt uncomfortable supporting the brand. But then they got rid of him and I started feeling better especially because they seemed to be going in a more eco-friendly direction and I purchased a few things. Anyways the most recent news I've heard about them are that they don't actually treat their garment workers very well (some people want them to stop advertising as 'sweatshop free') and also that they're not doing well, haven't had profits in years and might shut down. Again I have really mixed feeling because I think they do some things well and a lot of things pretty bad, BUT they are one of a very few well known "sweatshop free" brands and I think that's important. For myself and I know a lot of people American Apparel really helped me first question how my clothes were made, seeing a "sweatshop free" label made me realize that the other brands I was buying probably were made in sweatshops. They are also very accessible since there are multiple American Apparel stores in almost every city. I'm sorry this reply is kinda all over the place, but I honestly don't totally know how I feel about them (and I haven't done any real research on them in a long time). On one hand I think there are lots of issues and things they need to improve and I don't want to support them, but on the other hand the idea of them going out of business and it being too expensive to manufacture in America makes me really sad. I do think it's better than a lot of the other high-street options. How do you feel about them?? I unfortunately know hardly anything about ethical children's brands, so I'm sorry I can't recommend any to you.

@SassetGingerelli

9 жыл бұрын

+My Green Closet thank you so much for the reply. It's extremely difficult to find ethically made clothing for children. It's a little bit easier for babies. I've already ordered 10 items for my sons back to school wardrobe and the rest were from a second hand shops but now I'm very curious about whether or not they have made any positive changes when it comes to how they treat there workers. thanks :) I'm really interested in this topic!

My Green Closet Hi Verena, I would love to hear your tips on some eco-friendly-sustainable brands. I don't know a lot about it, but I am becoming a more conscious shopper and I am on my journey towards minimalism. My favorite way of being sustainable since quite a few years now is buying second hand: it's cheap, extremely eco friendly and it allows you to make great unique finds that really can build up someone's style. The current fashion situation is crazy and extremely overwhelming: just think about all the hi-end/luxury brands that still underpay their workers, use toxic dyes for their fabrics, pollute as crazy and still ask 300-400€ or more for one single piece of clothing. And I am afraid that many brands will keep going on with the same policy, but I do also believe that many small steps can make a big difference in the end. Thank you so much for this video, it was very informative!!

@MyGreenCloset

9 жыл бұрын

Really glad you enjoyed it! :) There are lots of great sustainable brands but they are pretty small and do take some digging to find. I have two videos with some shopping and searching tips: kzread.info/dash/bejne/i22nqbpwdNrRkbQ.html (also in the description I list a bunch of online stores) and kzread.info/dash/bejne/kZeWqMWMkdi8csY.html Is there a specific style or kind of clothing you're looking for? I can try to recommend some brands or online stores for you to check out. :)

@TheSimplicityDiaries

9 жыл бұрын

Oh thanks, you are a sweetheart! :) I must have missed those 2 videos you just linked (fairly new subscriber here)! I'll definitely check those out! My style is basic simple and most of the times on the casual side, since I don't need a formal attire for work.I like neutral colors and clean simple lines.. one thing for sure I like to invest in are jeans and shoes (I am planning to buy a good quality vegan boot for the colder months... I actually like the grey one you showed in your capsule wardrobe! :) )

@MyGreenCloset

9 жыл бұрын

That's great! There are quite a few simple/casual brands. Nudie Jeans is a great brand, you also might want to check out Everlane, Kowtow, Kuyichi (also has denim), and Beaumont Organic as a start :) I love my grey lace-up boots and they've held up super well, I would only not recommend them if you live somewhere with a lot of snow and ice - they don't have very good grip on the bottom.

@TheSimplicityDiaries

9 жыл бұрын

I might sound like a broken record to you but...Thank you so much!! Because you put so much effort in making quality and informative content to share on your channel and in replying and interacting with your subscribers. You are an inspiration, keep on going with the great work! I'll check those brands for sure! :)

I and my daughter are willing to sew our own clothes, but I am having trouble finding the fabric sources. Would appreciate some input on this if you can.

Any thin-thin (smallest size in most brands or smaller, not petite though) fashion bloggers out there that liek tailored, colourful clothes?

I just watched "The true cost" as you recommended and oh my are we all misled. I will never look at clothes the same way again. I have problems finding organic and fair trade clothes in my since since I am really tall (188 cm or 6ft 2in) but I an sure going to try harder and I am going to email the shops where I buy my clothes and ask questions. And if you do know of somewhere that sell organic and fair trade clothes for tall women please let me know. Thank you for helping me to open my eyes.

@AnneloesF

9 жыл бұрын

Linda-Marie Hamrin I second that question!

@MyGreenCloset

9 жыл бұрын

Tall sizes can be really difficult to find, unfortunately there aren't many ethical options yet. But asking questions and telling brands you'd like to purchase organic and fair trade clothes is a great thing to do, also trying to buy quality over quantity. A brand you might want to check out is Nudie Jeans, they are a great ethical and organic unisex denim brand that has up to a 36 inseam. I'll let you know if I come across any brands that carry tall sizes, and please let me know if you find any!

@AnneloesF

9 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the tip!

@Luma994

9 жыл бұрын

+My Green Closet Thank you so much for the tip, will have a look at nude 36inch is just what I need. I try to shop quality over quantity as much as I can and I take good care of the clothes I have so they will last longer.

@Luma994

9 жыл бұрын

+My Green Closet nudie jeans*

Thanks for this video :) I'm currently transitioning to minimalism (in general) and this is so useful. A thought though: I live in Chile, and though we have lots of cool independent designers that are doing nice things, there's a long way to go to have 100% certified sustainable Chilean fashion brands. I do shop second-hand when I can, but I find that my style doesn't always fit with what I find in those stores. I have visited websites from eco-friendly, certified international shops, but my issue is that shipping those items to my country is quite polluting, we're so far away! I feel like the action of shipping could "negate" a part of the benefits of said brand. What do you think about that?

@MyGreenCloset

8 жыл бұрын

Happy you found it helpful! :) It's amazing how conscientious you are! Transport definitely contributes to the environmental impact of a garment but it generally is a much smaller % than things like manufacturing, materials, and especially the 'use' or care of the garment which can be as high has 50-60% of the the total impact depending how you wash the clothes. There also is some debate about whether online shopping has more or less of an environmental impact then shopping in person, because it takes energy to drive to the store, to operate the store- heat/cool it, etc. Packages travelling long distances can have more of an impact but there are things you can do to reduce that, like buying from one store and ordering everything at once so there's only one package, avoiding any items you are likely to return- for example if you have trouble with shoes fitting comfortably it's best to buy those in person, and avoiding express delivery so they can wait till they have a full load before shipping. I've also seen people who have 'buying groups', so if you have friends or family that want to order from a store you place the order all together so there's only one package. (This is a great topic and I might talk more about it in a future video!) But it's also good to support your independent designers. Even though they likely won't have sustainable certifications, small designers often produce good quality clothes, fairly locally, and generally have much more sustainable and ethical business practices then large fast fashion businesses. Plus they are often pretty transparent and will answer questions you have about their business or clothes. So definitely lots of different factors to weigh, but I think overall when buying new clothes it's best to prioritize clothing that you're going to have and wear for a long time because a huge way to reduce your fashion impact is to just buy less clothing and replace it less often. Hope this helped, have a lovely day!! :)

@franug

8 жыл бұрын

My Green Closet Thanks a lot for replying :) I think I was overthinking about the plane part, although I do think is a bit wasteful (plus, our post service is the worst!), So yes, I've vowed to buy mostly from Chilean designers, to support the local industries and materials, and the rest from either second hand shops or international brands. It's a pity that we don't have access to a huge eco-friendly market around these parts, so I guess sometimes buying from on-line stores will be the best thing, specially things like basic dresses and/or tees :) have a lovely day too!

I can buy a cotton shirt from an overseas fairtrade handmade place and they dont use water like that. I dont see how anyone can get that statistic.

@MyGreenCloset

9 жыл бұрын

There was research done by the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, if you're interested you can look at the report here waterfootprint.org/media/downloads/Report18.pdf The 2700 litres is an average so it of course will vary depending on the country the cotton was grown in, how it's dyed, etc. But in general cotton is a very water-intensive crop to grow.

Hey I heard you saw you are from Canada, I am moving to SK next month and I was wondering if you have any recommendations for Eco/ethical warm coats.

@MyGreenCloset

8 жыл бұрын

Hm I haven't had to buy a new winter coat in a while. MEC (Mountain Equipment Coop) carries brands like Patagonia which might be good to check out, there's also a company called Nau which has some recycled down jackets, but I haven't actually purchased from any of those brands myself. Secondhand can also be a great option for coats. Sorry I can't be of more help! Hope your move goes really well :)

@sarahbee328

8 жыл бұрын

+My Green Closet thank you! Now that I have watched all of your videos I am definitely convinced on shopping second hand. (make sure you apply an antifungal if you buy shoes second hand ;)

I was wondering if you have an opinion on the brand TOMS, ethics wise? :)

@MyGreenCloset

9 жыл бұрын

I do, but it's a little all over the place. While I think doing something is always better than doing nothing, the TOMS business model seems quite flawed. However I have not really looked into them lately and have heard that they are trying to improve things, so keep in mind my opinion is likely a bit outdated and based more on information from a few years ago: I think while philanthropic brands can do a lot of good and help spread awareness, very simplistic solutions like 'buy one, give one' are great for feel-good marketing but often don't address any root problems and are way more complex. With TOMS and other companies that just go in to communities and give away things, there can be unintended consequences on the local economy and among people. I don't know a lot about foreign aid, definitely not as much as I'd like to, but it seems like it works better when organizations get to know the communities and core problems and work with the people living there to find solutions instead of just coming in and giving away things. There are also a lot of issues just with the process of giving away the shoes. This is a really interesting article written by a volunteer who was distributing TOMS and he talks about the difficulties of measuring kids and making sure you had the right sizes, enough shoes etc. www.whydev.org/give-one-what-happens-after-you-buy-a-pair-of-toms/ I also heard that there are issues with TOMS manufacturing (although it seems that they have been working to improve this, and I hope they have), you can't have an ethically-minded company that doesn't produce the product in an ethical way. But after saying all this is I also don't like how companies that seem to be genuinely trying to do something good are put under a microscope and criticized while companies that just continue to do terrible things are ignored. No company is going to be perfect and I think if brands like TOMS continue to learn and improve that should be recognized and supported. What's your opinion of TOMS?

@tazminzara

9 жыл бұрын

+My Green Closet Thank you for your reply, I knew you'd have something very comprehensive to say! :) I agree with many points you make. I think the fact that they try to combine business and charity is something so many other companies should aspire towards, and very impressive that they make it work, even if they are still learning - I suppose they're a business rather than an organisation, and learning will have to come through transparency and criticism.

@MyGreenCloset

9 жыл бұрын

Well said, I totally agree. From what I've seen they seem to be taking the criticism and using it to improve instead of fighting it, so that's a good sign. I hope they can develop a really strong business model and system around a giving concept, that would be nice to see. :)

@tazminzara

9 жыл бұрын

My Green Closet It would be so great! Really hope other brands follow their lead. xx