The other day, someone mentioned she was in the process moving toward a plastic-free wardrobe. Of course, this was pretty thrilling to me.  :) I kept my cool, because there wasn't a lot of time for conversation...but it got me thinking.

​It's always interesting to see where different people decide to engage with movement toward a more ethical or sustainable wardrobe, and I thought it might be a good idea to create some resources for some different on-ramps or focus points here. So, you'd like to move toward having a plastic-free wardrobe? Yay!  :)

Motivation is key, and there is plenty of motivation for pursuing a plastic-free wardrobe:

• it feels good to not be encased in plastic (polyester, nylon, lycra, etc.)
• plastic fiber production keeps us bound to oil production + consumption 
• the plastic we wear will never decompose fully 
• plastic fibers produce microfibers with every wash + wear that are in our drinking water, brains + placentas

Moving toward a plastic-free wardrobe involves learning to recognize what different fibers look + feel like. Looking at the labels on our own clothing is a good place to start. When looking for secondhand or new clothing, we'll want to check the label before falling in love. It's easier to recognize the names of natural fibers (cotton, linen, hemp, flax, wool, alpaca) than synthetics (polyester goes by many names). It’s kind of like reading a processed food label. Look for the recognizable words. It's not incredibly difficult to find 100% natural fiber tops, pants and dresses, but it may be easier in some shops than others. Check out our ethical brands page for lots of options.

When it comes to natural fiber, there are some choices to be made. We can prioritize organic cotton over conventional cotton grown with the aid of pesticides. We can focus on what I'm going to call whole fibers (like linen + cotton) rather than processed fibers (like rayon + cupro) which are made with naturally derived through chemical processing.

Going truly plastic-free involves saying no to lycra + spandex as well as polyester + nylon. This particularly narrows the choices in a few categories of clothing, and yet there are some incredible people putting the effort into offering functional, plastic-free pieces. We'll dive a little deeper into a few of those resources here.

One further note, before we get to the resources: Here at Fairdare, we like to prioritize farmers (so we prioritize organic cotton + other fibers that can grow well without pesticides like linen + hemp), garment workers (so we look for fair-trade certifications + domestic labor that can be monitored closely + is governed my labor laws) + the planet (so we care about how many miles a garment travels from seed to closet, the toxicity of dyes, and that materials biodegrade). These values are reflected to various degrees here.

:: Intimates :: A few brands have taken on the challenge of creating 100% natural fiber intimates. Since lycra + spandex are normally used to enhance performance, expectations will need to be adjusted in regards to recovery + support when choosing these items. 

• Pansy :: 100% USA grown + milled organic cotton, designed + sewn within 20 miles in California, biodegradable rubber/cotton elastic, men's + women's styles available
• Oddobody :: 100% organic cotton from Peru, sewn in WRAP (world responsible accredited production) certified factories in Peru, designed in New York :: cut out the elastic to compost
• Kent :: 100% GOTS organic cotton, sewn in a fair-trade certified factory in India, guaranteed free from plastics, biodegradable, men's + women's
• Industry of Nations :: 100% organic cotton, sewn where the cotton is grown in India, recycled elastic, undyed + natural dyes, fair wages, men's + women's
• Q for Quinn :: a few plastic free options :: 100% GOTS (global organic textiles standard) organic cotton from India, sewn in India, biodegradable rubber/cotton elastic​
• Ozma :: it's possible some may be able to wear a rigid fabric bra like this one made from regeneratively farmed silk or this one made from 100% organic cotton, designed + made in California, cut out elastic before composting

:: Athletic Wear :: Designers turn to ribbed fabric for stretch + recovery in the absence of lycra or spandex, but we can't expect 100% cotton ribbed leggings to recover in the same way as our stretch leggings. If we want to go plastic-free in this category, it will probably be helpful to think differently about what we wear to exercise. ​

• Industry of Nations :: 100% organic cotton rib fabric, natural dyes, sewn where the cotton is grown in India, fair wages, men's + women's tees, tanks, shorts and soft pants
• Pansy :: 100% USA grown + milled organic cotton, designed + sewn within 20 miles in California, biodegradable rubber/cotton elastic, tees + shorts, ribbed fabric leggings + shorts
• Sokoi :: 100% linen pants + shorts :: linen/cotton blend tees :: designed + made in Los Angeles, these pieces are made for yoga + movement, but are also great for everyday life :: versatility is a great ethical quality! when we need less, less resources are required - less waste results too (I love my Laurel linen pants for yoga, stretching + everyday life!)
• Oddobody :: 100% organic cotton from Peru, sewn in WRAP (world responsible accredited production) certified factories in Peru, designed in New York :: cut out the elastic to compost :: biker shorts, tanks, tees, soft pants
• Jungmaven :: some 100% hemp + 100% hemp/organic cotton shorts, tanks + tees, designed + made in California, cut out elastic before composting

In my opinion, choosing ethical + sustainable clothing often involves a bit of prioritization + compromise. We may need to pay a little more for organic fibers, purchase a necessary new piece when we can't find a secondhand version, or accept that a secondhand piece has to travel from a distance. When choosing plastic-free athletic wear, we might choose looser basketball type shorts rather than bike shorts that will stretch out + sag.

:: Footwear :: Leather (for non-vegans), canvas + natural rubber would be the obvious go-to materials here. It is tough to get away from glues + non-natural rubber which are usually made with synthetics. However, plastics only came onto the scene in 1855, and people have been wearing shoes for centuries. Therefore, even in this tough category, options exist without the need for complicated synthetic processing. Think handcrafted, traditional footwear.

• Cydwoq :: leather, water-based, biodegradable glues, handmade in Burbank, California
• Christy Dawn :: leather, nailed soles, made in Spain

​​I'm not sure if it's helpful or not to mention my own experience here, but I don't want to give the impression that anything other than a perfectly plastic-free wardrobe is failure. I don't have any issues prioritizing 100% natural fiber tees, jeans, shirts + sweaters. I did, however, quit wearing unsupportive, organic cotton bras after I saw a picture of myself wearing one. I keep (+ use) my lightweight rain jacket. I wear a cotton bodysuit as a swimsuit, but it does contain a touch of spandex.

Rather than demanding perfection, this list is made to offer possibility + hope. Progress is positive.  :)

All photos via links.

Love,
Jane

Happiness lies in trying to better my present self without hating my past self.
~Adam Grant

Mangos are one of the most amazing, bright, vibrant, nourishing, juicy, golden, happy foods I can imagine eating. They've become a symbol of simple pleasures worthy of notice + savoring around here...so here are a few of the things I've been noticing + savoring lately...you know, mind mangos :) :

• Benita's slow, simple, capable renovations that come across as passion projects rather than content projects.
• Experiencing a wind whipping, glorious sunset drenched, outdoor concert with thousands of other people singing along...together.
• Going down the well-curated rabbit hole of David Hockney's colorful existence. Wanting some of this: "There's always this feeling with Hockney that he never felt trapped, he just enjoyed it."
• Revisiting this playlist from one of my perennial favorites, Sylvan Esso.
• Speaking of perennials, our little, imperfect, native garden is one of my absolute favorite things at the moment. The rabbits are pretty stoked on it too.
• Dipping into the bitesized, perspective shifting deliciousness of Tamar Adler's Kitchen Meditations.
• A rainy day jaunt to a new spot that we can already tell is going to become an enduring favorite.

Hope your noticings are making you smile too!  :)

Much love,
​Jane

I'm learning so much lately about letting go...loosening my grip...accepting that I am not in control.

Minimalism is often described as letting go of what isn't important, so we can make space for what is important. The practice of minimalism has enabled me to (along with my partner) raise my girls on a single, low income and to move overseas (twice). I've become very good at letting go of things in order to gain something else.

Lately, however, the letting go seems to have more to do with a lack of choice. It is more about accepting other's choices that affect me in impactful ways. I'm experiencing this both in my personal relationships, and in the greater societal context. I doubt I'm unique in that.

Today I read that nihilism (the belief that existence is pointless) is currently pervasive in the US. This from a nation that had 90% of people identifying as Christians in the early 1990's. The arguments that nothing has changed + everything has changed each have their validity. Personally, I'm just tired of being endlessly indignant. I'm not sure, but that feels adjacent to acceptance somehow. I don't like that either.

Years ago, I planted mint in our garden. It did well + looked great...until it started to come up in the middle of every plant around it. A few years after I planted it, I decided it had to go. It is just too invasive. Even now, every time I go out into the garden, I spot stray mint in the middle of one plant or another. I can't control it. So I pull it + make mint tea.

I have to admit that I'm trying to find the lesson as I write this. Hmmm. Let it be? Live + let live? Sure, but that doesn't really offer any promise of any good coming from the unchosen. I don't want to be a nihilist, so I want to find the good.

I'm reminded of The Overstory by Richard Powers. We understand the breadth of the forest's story by understanding how many human lifetimes come + go during its lifespan. If we humans are nature, and nature's story is so much bigger + longer than each one of us...then maybe we are just here to participate in the good that is...the good that goes on + on...and to make a little mint tea along the way. I think I can live with that.  

Much love,
​Jane

In my perfect sustainable wardrobe scenario, I would have a modest number of pieces that I love. I'd wear them, repair them + wear them out. The worn out pieces would simply be replaced seasonally.

Unfortunately, my experience is a bit messier than that. Sometimes I try things that don't end up getting worn as much as I'd like. Luckily, secondhand clothing is cool, so I can often resell even my secondhand purchases. 

A few ways to let things go + earn:

• list things for sale on a resale site :: like Poshmark, Noihsaf Baazar or Ebay :: I usually do this with my name brand things. I try to price them enticingly, so that they move quickly. My goal is to get things worn.
• list + earn credit on a brand's resale site :: like Outerknown, Doen or Patagonia :: We do this with my partner's clothing, since it seems like the more direct route for men's wear. Again, price to move.
• bring a bag of things to a local resale shop :: like Buffalo Exchange, Arizona Trading or Plato's Closet :: These places like certain brands + styles (mall resale?) that the shops reflect. 
• send a bag of things to a listing site :: like Thredup :: It's a time saver, because they do the listing.
• bring worn jeans to Madewell for savings on your next pair of jeans :: If a brand works, stick with it. There are lots of fair-trade certified jeans at Madewell.
• consign at a local consignment shop 
• attend a clothing swap :: Instant out-with-the-old/in-with-the-new-to-you gratification. Don't be afraid to come home with less than you brought. :) The leftovers can be donated.
• have a well-curated yard sale with a few friends :: Again, agree to donate what's left before you start! :)
• (a note on those bag-up-your-discards + send-them-to-us-for-a-discount-on-our-site offers :: My thought is that my donations probably do more good in my town rather than accumulating in Los Angeles. They seem like a recipe for bailing + sending overseas. If I donate in my town, it saves on transportation too.) 

When we value selling this way, we are also exposed to purchasing this way. Secondhand shopping is not only easier on our budget, but it keeps things out of the landfill + extends the value of the resources (soil, crops, water, dyes, power, transportation) + work (of farmers + garment workers) already used! Yay!!

I often let my selling earnings get absorbed into our big budget, but this year I kept those earnings separate + used them as the budget for my shopping list. By keeping my wants small, I was able to recycle my budget as well as my clothing this season. This doesn't make anything free. That money was money I spent, but it does feel like recycling much of its value. That feels pretty good!

Love,
Jane

I will live the best I can discern today. 
Tomorrow I may find out I was wrong.
Since I do not live by being right,
I am not destroyed by being wrong.
​~Verna Dozier