It's hard to shop and live sustainably at 22 in New York City. I imagine it's hard to shop and live sustainably in most places and at most life stages...but here me out. I'm a New Yorker and that means I like to think things are ESPECIALLY hard for me. New York is one of the most consumeristic and entertainment fueled cities in the world. The cultural attitude towards almost everything from food to booze to sex to clothing is that it should be easy to come by, exceptional, and should require the least effort and commitment possible.
Living sustainably doesn't come easily, the options sometimes seem scarce and unappealing, and it requires a hell of a lot of effort and commitment. As we've forged ahead with our sustainable late-night shop hours on Twitter, I've learned that most of those conceptions are wrong. There is a wealth of beautiful and accessible clothing options to be had at little extra effort or cost. This is important knowledge for a girl who works 18 hour work days on the reg, and spends what little spare time she has watching Netflix in a heap on the couch. Still, it would be naive to say that shopping ethically doesn't require extra time, care, and investment.
Yet as I've thought about the mentality that prioritizes ease of access and disposability over fair work wages, ethical practices and a responsible use of resources, I've realized how much we lose when we think like New Yorkers. Think like a New Yorker when it comes to walking fast, hunting for the best bagels in a five mile radius, or standing up for yourself, but don't think like a New Yorker when it comes to your clothing.
Let's sit back, take a breath, and enjoy the beauty of doing something right and well.
Meet Sage LA Rock. We featured their clothing on Twitter last week, and I've been lusting after their beautiful pieces ever since. In an effort to be as sustainable as possible, they make each item to order. How cool is that? I often think of ethical clothing as uncomfortable, "safari-style" wear, but Sage is sexy, subtle, and looks incredibly comfortable!
Pair this dress with these shoes. Throw in this bag. Jet to Argentina. Never come back? Oh wait, that's my dream...
Interested in fashion & sustainability? Tune into our late-night shop hour over here on Twitter.
Mallory Brand is the social media manager at LC Media. An Atlanta native, she moved to Brooklyn at age 17. Since graduation, Mallory splits her time between traveling and living in Greenpoint, BK. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram.