Marleys mess

Through the last two years I’ve continously tried to change my shopping behavior, which is hard for me, because I really love fashion and express myself a lot through clothing. Thankfully I discovered some great thrift stores in my area and I managed to buy everything, exept essentials like undwear and socks, thrifted in the last year.

I’m proud of myself for doing so and I know it was the right idea. I will try and continue to do so BUT in this year and currently as the seasons are changing, I faced a lot of trouble to stay strong. Not only do I look like a walking toothpick I also am not comfortable with very short shorts or skirts and dresses, which you could find at thrift stores. Now what do I do in the burning heat of central europe? My friends saw this as an opportunity to go shopping and they support my choices not to buy fast fashion but still invited me to come with them. On these trips I was often faced by clothes, that don’t only fit my asthetic and bodyshape but are also at a great price point, BECAUSE: they’re the worst fast fashion you can find.

Last week the time arrived for me to buy a new pair of pants by a ridiciously bad brand that shall not be named. I forgot the masses of plastic they wrap their clothes in and out of habit of thrifting, even forgot to say “I don’t need a bag”. So there I was, plastic bag in my hand and a feeling of shame in my stomache.

Turns out, I currently wear those pants every other day. Now I am debating between the morals of cost-per-wear meaning not only “how much does it cost me to wear this product when I divide it by the times I wore it?” but I’m also thinking “How much damage does the enviroment and workers take, divided by the times I wore it?” and thrifting. I am intrested in ways to stay sustainable while still not beeing dressed in something else than thrifted sweaters from the 80s. I now my decission was thought through and I know it “doesn’t even make a difference” but for me it does, so if you have anything to add or any help in my struggle feel free to share!

This is a listing of my favorite “zero waste living” blogs and books. Though most of them are probably pretty well known, for those who don’t, here you go: