How this tribe does fair, closet by closet. I spend a bit of time focusing on my closet around here, but in this house, each closet's owner really has her or his own way of doing fair. Our tribe consists of a home-schooled teenager, a working college student, a papa who works in a casual office setting, and a stay-at-home mama. This is Jo (the working college student) + her closet.
key fair closet tools :: thrift + indie brands
style :: maybe comfy thrifty southwest art school dropout, at least that's what i appear to be going for, not that i succeed.
Do you have an outfit that just makes you feel like you?
Jo: I have a cream Moon Collective hoodie with a hand printed in black ink on the back. I love wearing it under my pin covered thrifted denim jacket with dark jeans, and either suede hightop vans or thrifted boots. Almost all fair, save the jeans. This outfit, or a thrifted t shirt knotted and thrifted high waisted jeans, or high waisted Girlfriend Collective leggings, plus moccasin booties. If it doesn't fit just right I'll probably wear it.
Do you have a piece in your closet with a special story or meaning?
Jo: I have little memories attached to most things, sometimes helped by a little sand still stuck in the pockets. I love remembering how I lived in items, whether knowing that this t-shirt took me on a walk downtown, or a flannel kept me warm on the shores of Big Sur. I also love getting to know the little quirks about an item. For example, the tiny patches where the denim of my jacket is wearing away, or the little "<" i wrote into the inside of it during Shakespeare class. I love adding that touch of personalization, or seeing where my body and life impact the fabric. They become mine.
key fair closet tools :: thrift + indie brands
style :: maybe comfy thrifty southwest art school dropout, at least that's what i appear to be going for, not that i succeed.
Do you have an outfit that just makes you feel like you?
Jo: I have a cream Moon Collective hoodie with a hand printed in black ink on the back. I love wearing it under my pin covered thrifted denim jacket with dark jeans, and either suede hightop vans or thrifted boots. Almost all fair, save the jeans. This outfit, or a thrifted t shirt knotted and thrifted high waisted jeans, or high waisted Girlfriend Collective leggings, plus moccasin booties. If it doesn't fit just right I'll probably wear it.
Do you have a piece in your closet with a special story or meaning?
Jo: I have little memories attached to most things, sometimes helped by a little sand still stuck in the pockets. I love remembering how I lived in items, whether knowing that this t-shirt took me on a walk downtown, or a flannel kept me warm on the shores of Big Sur. I also love getting to know the little quirks about an item. For example, the tiny patches where the denim of my jacket is wearing away, or the little "<" i wrote into the inside of it during Shakespeare class. I love adding that touch of personalization, or seeing where my body and life impact the fabric. They become mine.
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What does fair (clothing-wise) mean to you?
Jo: It's a matter of respect and love, I suppose. To respect those who create my clothing. To appreciate their work and design. To place some value into the slabs of fabric I happen to choose to drape over my body. I love looking down and always finding something thrifted or independently created. It makes me feel healthy, happy, and appreciative.
How do you approach fair in your closet?
Jo: I love thrifting... I love the search, the surprise, and the smaller dent on my wallet. I've always been incredibly lucky as well; with patience, I've found the perfect boots, the perfect flannels, the perfect denim jackets. It's fun, and happy. It makes me feel good, as I can give the clothes a loving home, saved from the landfill. Everyone wins: the thrift store, the earth, and me! Otherwise, I really love finding independent artists or tiny brands to support. People are doing such rad things and i love to support them. It's amazing what you can find and it's great knowing that they're able to make money from their art.
Does "less" play a role in your wardrobe?
Jo: I don't feel like I've ever been the best at "less", as I have a tendency to buy what I love... even if it's a second denim jacket (hey! it's a slightly different style!) However, I've been called a "serial minimalist" because if I love something, I'll wear it over and over and over... For example, I may have too many jackets and I may occasionally keep buying thrifted jackets, but I only wear one or two consistently. I like what I like and I persevere. And I feel the biggest struggle against "less" at a thrift store. The price is right and no one gets hurt!
Jo: It's a matter of respect and love, I suppose. To respect those who create my clothing. To appreciate their work and design. To place some value into the slabs of fabric I happen to choose to drape over my body. I love looking down and always finding something thrifted or independently created. It makes me feel healthy, happy, and appreciative.
How do you approach fair in your closet?
Jo: I love thrifting... I love the search, the surprise, and the smaller dent on my wallet. I've always been incredibly lucky as well; with patience, I've found the perfect boots, the perfect flannels, the perfect denim jackets. It's fun, and happy. It makes me feel good, as I can give the clothes a loving home, saved from the landfill. Everyone wins: the thrift store, the earth, and me! Otherwise, I really love finding independent artists or tiny brands to support. People are doing such rad things and i love to support them. It's amazing what you can find and it's great knowing that they're able to make money from their art.
Does "less" play a role in your wardrobe?
Jo: I don't feel like I've ever been the best at "less", as I have a tendency to buy what I love... even if it's a second denim jacket (hey! it's a slightly different style!) However, I've been called a "serial minimalist" because if I love something, I'll wear it over and over and over... For example, I may have too many jackets and I may occasionally keep buying thrifted jackets, but I only wear one or two consistently. I like what I like and I persevere. And I feel the biggest struggle against "less" at a thrift store. The price is right and no one gets hurt!
Do you struggle with any part of buying fair?
Jo: Everything gets easier with time: candy gets a bit too sweet for me, and polyester feels a bit too nasty to tempt me. It helps that I know how much cool clothing is out there. I have a bit of guilt for spending more money sometimes, but... supporting more than just a middle man is worth that. There are those few items like skinny jeans that I tend to just buy from Madewell or Gap, because it's easier- I can try them on to find that perfect pair, and they aren't too expensive. However, I will wear those to threads.
Do you have any goals regarding fair in your wardrobe for the future?
Jo: My closet is dying for a ruthless clean out. I'd like to get it down to everything I love, rather than a lot of things I've had for a long time for whatever pointless or nostalgic reason, while I am fully aware that I will always choose to wear something else. Along with this, I could probably stand to buy a little less, but I assume that culling my closet will help me feel more content.
(Jane again) Thank you so much Jo! You are the queen of thrift to me + can almost always find something to love! (This being the case, we don't thrift too often.) :) I admire how you've been able to make your style out of what you find + always look unique and cool doing it. Your heart makes me beam + I appreciate you sharing it here! I love you tons!
Love,
Jo + Jane (Mama) :)
P.S. Jo did that clean out + back to the thrift store the excess went to make some more money for them + hopefully clothe someone else!
Jo: Everything gets easier with time: candy gets a bit too sweet for me, and polyester feels a bit too nasty to tempt me. It helps that I know how much cool clothing is out there. I have a bit of guilt for spending more money sometimes, but... supporting more than just a middle man is worth that. There are those few items like skinny jeans that I tend to just buy from Madewell or Gap, because it's easier- I can try them on to find that perfect pair, and they aren't too expensive. However, I will wear those to threads.
Do you have any goals regarding fair in your wardrobe for the future?
Jo: My closet is dying for a ruthless clean out. I'd like to get it down to everything I love, rather than a lot of things I've had for a long time for whatever pointless or nostalgic reason, while I am fully aware that I will always choose to wear something else. Along with this, I could probably stand to buy a little less, but I assume that culling my closet will help me feel more content.
(Jane again) Thank you so much Jo! You are the queen of thrift to me + can almost always find something to love! (This being the case, we don't thrift too often.) :) I admire how you've been able to make your style out of what you find + always look unique and cool doing it. Your heart makes me beam + I appreciate you sharing it here! I love you tons!
Love,
Jo + Jane (Mama) :)
P.S. Jo did that clean out + back to the thrift store the excess went to make some more money for them + hopefully clothe someone else!
