Saving money, reducing waste, and being yourself: these are fashion trends we can definitely get behind, and, they’re good for the planet, too.
Have you, like our stylish panel of podcasters, embraced thrifting, upcycling, mending and otherwise extending the life of garments you already own? Nice! But it’s hard to totally hang up fast fashion, especially for different body types and sizes—even though we know most newly purchased garments get landfilled after just a few wearings, many synthetic fabrics will never biodegrade, and, according to some industry estimates, it takes 10,000 gallons of water to produce just one pair of denim jeans. That is not a good look…
Here are our best tips for back-to-school dressing in 2021, and a sustainable shopping list (below).
upcycled jacket crafted by Derrick Smith 
Joyeuse Muhorakeye Igitenge style 
Chloe Dixon in cool pants
The podcasters:
- Morgan Phillips (host), University of Cincinnati
- Alex Bentley, University of Cincinnati, Transition & Access Program
- Dimitri Dickos, University of Cincinnati
- Chloe Dixon, Madiera H.S.
- Joyeuse Muhorakeye, Aiken H.S.
- Enock Sadiki, Aiken H.S.
A few of our favorite shops, sites and brands:
The Good On You website and app rates fashion brands in terms of sustainable, ethical production, so you don’t fall victim to greenwashing
Goodwill, St. Vincent de Paul, New2You and other thrift shops around town
Pixel 19 Vintage warehouse in Price Hill, not to be confused with the equally amazing Pistil Vintage in Over-the-Rhine
Transform, a Cincinnati-based nonprofit that provides donated, curated wardrobes for kids and teens going through gender transitions
Snooty Fox upscale consignment shops, multiple Cincinnati locations
BoohooMan, an affordable, inclusive online shop whose “Ready for the Future” collection meets certain sustainability/responsible manufacturing standards
Patagonia and Cotopaxi, two not-so-cheap but socially and environmentally conscious brands, whose garments and gear are made to last
Revivo, an awesome sustainable shoe company that turns old pairs into new ones
Grailed is an online resale shop for high-style menswear and shoes
And some of us have even made a little money selling upcycled thrift/vintage finds on sites like Poshmark