Trends: Fashion or ecologically responsible materials

Now that I have reached the big 40, I have seen the fashions of my youth been revived, "updated", and become trendy again. However, even in my youth, I hated high wasted jeans, neon colors, stupid "fashionable" sunglasses, giant sneakers with scrunchy socks, scrunchy hair accessories, butterfly hair clips, slap bracelets, cargo pants, combat boots, overalls with one strap hanging loose, pants so baggy I could camp in them, etc.

Here are some of the things I do miss: Jeans with zero stretch because they are made out of 100% cotton. I still have a pair from American Eagle that I bought in 1999. They still fit, have a little wear and tear, but they are my FAVORITE jeans. They cost less than $50, and they look better than some of the hybrid material super stretch jeans that are popular today. You can hate me if you want, but they were also a "boyfriend" cut with a lower rise. They weren't tight. They weren't baggy. They were and still are the "goldy locks" pair of jeans for me. I am constantly combing Thread Up and Poshmark for an identical pair in good condition.

Remember when a plain white tee shirt made out of 100% cotton was a staple everyone had? Not the case anymore. They still exist, but they aren't cheap if you want a good cut or fit. EVERYTHING has stretch in it these days! Or they are partially polyester, or rayon, nylon, spandex, whatever. I miss clothes made out of 100% natural fibers. I have an aversion to anything plastic. I absolutely hate "blends" as far as the material my clothing and especially my bedding is made out of.

I will not lie. I am a yoga teacher, so I sort of have to buy a certain amount of these types of materials. I need stretch in my clothing when I teach and work with private clients, but when I want to wear "real clothes" (which I really like to do), I want to wear garments made out of quality material that is built to last. Clothes with structure, that fit well, lay well, with real buttons, pockets and occasionally zippers are where it's at for me.

My grandmother and mother made most of my childhood clothes (preteen). I started to make my own clothes is high school. I would always look for natural fiber fabrics because they BREATHE. I see you...The people who have a closet full of "cute" blouses or tops from Old Navy that you can't wear as soon as the temperature rises above 75 degrees because your whole body starts to sweat as if you were in a sauna. I hate that shit. I've been there.

I wish natural fiber fabrics were cheaper, but the sad fact is that getting 100% cotton anything these days means a much higher price tag. I know there are a lot of reasons behind this, economical, ecological, etc. And I just think that's sad. All of these "blended fabrics" eventually break down into micro-plastic particles that will be here LONG after the garment has all but ceased to exist. That's just irresponsible from the people who manufacture these items to the people who consume them.

Like I said, I have a job that requires me to buy garments made of these fabrics to work more effectively and efficiently, but I have stopped buying any of my "work clothes" new. In fact, since Covid, I haven't bought a single article of clothing "new". I get everything from second hand apps like Poshmark and Thread Up. I've had almost zero bad experiences, and I plan to continue doing this for the foreseeable future.

So instead of gushing about a trend that I hope will come back, I'm actually hoping the trend of "fast Fashion" dies out...and soon. I don't think natural fiber fabrics were ever a trend, but 30 years ago it used to be the norm. I want that to come back. I want to reduce the amount of plastics I consume, and fashion is a great way to do just that....especially since I was lucky enough to be taught how to sew my own clothes.

I don't sew everything I wear, and I don't expect anyone to go run out and learn to sew because of this article. However, I am hoping it might make some readers more mindful of the quality of the fabrics their clothes are made from. Knowing about second-hand apps like Poshmark and Thread Up can help you buy more ecologically responsible fashion without the high price tag.

Plus, once you find that piece, whether it's a sundress, jeans, a jacket, etc... made out of high quality, natural fabric that fits like a glove, you'll be hooked for life. It just feels amazing, and you know it looks good. Say goodbye to the muffin top, that weird fat pocket in your front armpit that sort of spills out of all the other stretchy tank tops you own.

I'm not nostalgic for any particular trend to come back. I want REAL CLOTHES to come back. I want no plastic, no stretch, no rayon, nylon, spandex, or as little as humanly possible. I know there are some things, like undergarments, yoga pants, and other such things that wouldn't be very comfortable to wear or might not even exist without it, but I think you get what I'm throwing down. Plastic is taking over the world, and it's up to us to slow that trend. Buying fashion made from 100% natural sources is just ONE of MANY ways you can contribute to reducing your use of plastic.

Kiss those awkwardly sweaty situations goodbye and commit to cotton shirts. Say no to microfiber sheets. Buy thrifty fashion and spend the extra money you would have spent in a retail store to help support a local seamstress....or learn to do it yourself. Sewing is always a good skill to have. Just stop the madness of "fast fashion". It's destroying our planet. Buy natural fiber fabrics and alter the clothes you buy to fit your body. You will always be the best dressed and likely more comfortable that all your fiends sweating underneath their cheap ass plastic clothes.

Just my thoughts for the day. I hope this piece inspired at least one person to at least reevaluate their consumption of these cheap garments made with materials that aren't good for our planet. Reduce your use! Until then, dear readers, take car of yourself, our planet, and those around you. Be kind to one another, and to your self.

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