You don’t need to feel guilty about everything you buy, wear and do. Give yourself credit for being a conscious shopper. With awareness you can make informed decisions that work for you.

 How did this Plushie purse make it into my closet? Well, it was a gift from my mother, and she bought it at a thrift store. She knows I have a soft spot for wildlife and stuffed animals. After much debate about what species this Plushie purse is suppose to be, I have determined he is a Tenrec. A Tenrec is an endemic species from the island of Madagascar. I discovered its existence while researching endangered and threatened species of Madagascar. They are adorable. Similar to hedgehogs they can roll into balls. They can swim and they can be as small as a few centimeters long weighing less than 5 grams! Go mom, thank you for the purse!

So let’s talk about sustainable style vs. personal style. There is a lot of style out there that is hot, feeds your personal style but it is not sustainable or eco friendly. Not enough people care about eco-friendly so sometimes it’s hard to find what you are looking for.  Personally I love natural fibers and natural includes wood, leather, cotton and wool. I also love vintage style prints, colors and fit. Yet vintage, be it sustainable because it is old and back in style, is most likely made of polyester and not natural. Polyester being my least favorite fiber to wear it does have a purpose, function and quality. For example, my husband is a mechanic and machinist and his uniforms have to be 50% Polyester so he doesn’t catch on fire when he is welding or grinding metal. If you inspected his wears you will find dozens of little burn holes, Nylon also has it’s place; in protective gear, adventure gear, public service apparel, medical textiles… and skirts with volume! The black tulle number above was cut off the of a party dress from the 80’s and it’s going to get jazzed up with some sparkly beaded dung beetles. A new life, this revived number has a message to share about endangered wildlife. 

Circling back, it’s your personal wardrobe and you can make conscious decisions that work for you. You don’t have to feel guilty about making practical decisions. Or even impractical decisions. The number of conscious consumers out there is so small compared to the masses. Wear what makes you feel good inside and out, be true to who you are. Then you will hold onto the pieces you invest in for a lifetime.