Time stamp early April, 2025. I don’t usually align my infrequent blog posts with current affairs, but wow, if you are reading this in the future, I’m sure you must remember your feelings about all of the political and economic turmoil during this period. Don't worry, I’m not digging into anything fire-y, but I really thought that one of the biggest topics this week perfectly aligns with what I have been planning to write about for a while now … Slow fashion, Sustainability, minimalism … whatever you want to call it. These notions are now being tested against the current hot topic of global tariffs; yes, the “T” word. Who knows what is going to eventually happen with these tariffs, what we thought would happen this morning changed by lunch time and the markets are bopping up and down and up and down. Regardless, we have to accept that what is happening politically, globally and economically is out of our control but it is felt through the general concept of consumerism and thus, how these tariffs will impact what and how we make purchases.
You may have heard of ( or like me, try to live by ) the famous quote from Vivienne Westood … “ Buy Less. Choose Well. Make it Last. “. This makes so much sense to me and the older and wiser I get, the more I really value it. Don’t get me wrong, I love fashion and appreciate trends, whether it’s in clothes, haircuts or home decor. However, the longer I’ve been on this earth and have seen trends come and go, as fun as it is, it makes me really think that following a trend can be thrilling and exhausting at the same time. Trends represent a snapshot in time, which is fun to look back at years later, but it can be expensive, wasteful and frankly, it can give you an identity crisis. Rather than be “on trend”, I find it more fulfilling to use trends to really define yourself. Do I really want these jeans? Is it me? Or is it just a fad that is going on this year and it will be out the next year? I think it takes real maturity, wisdom, whatever you want to call it to make a decision based on your true style, taste and wants rather than just going with fast fashion trends. And this is where the tariffs come in, fast fashion is usually cheaply made and associated with negative human rights and environmental connotations. Most of these fast fashion brands, because they are typically produced abroad (particularly in China), will be hit hard with the new tariffs. This will likely lead to the prices of these high turnover styles to be more expensive. Typically cheap prices are part of the appeal of fast fashion, right? … why spend money on a whimsical trend if you can buy it for cheap at a lower quality basis. The tariffs may be a game changer to this phenomenon. Which leads us to ponder, perhaps it’s time to try to find a silver lining in this global food fight and take this opportunity to switch from fast fashion to slow fashion.
Purchase less, quality more. Buying fewer unnecessary items is good for the environment. It prevents waste. Some people find the solution to overconsumption is thrifting (buying second hand) or having using a clothing rental subscription ( this can be controversial too, but still a solid alternative). If you are like me and don’t love second hand stuff, then make a more conscientious effort to buy less. And when I do buy things, because I’m human and I love fashion helloooo, then I really make a thoughtful effort to ask myself do I really need this, want this, etc. I even started an “in and out” process when I make a closet purchase. When I buy new shoes, one old pair has to be donated. Same for clothes. It makes you choose wisely maybe you discover that you don’t really need or want something that badly. Also, I started jotting down everything closet related (so can be clothes, bags, jewelry, shoes, etc.) that I buy in the year. It’s a bit like when you are trying to be healthy and you write down what you eat during the day; it’ll make you not grab those spontaneous bags of chips because now you are accountable, even if it’s to yourself. I practice slow fashion because I’m a minimalist and I don’t like clutter and waste. Perhaps your heart string is more about environmental practices. Which is also great. When I think of fast fashion, I think of stores like Shein, Temu, H&M, etc. and many more brands that have really cute items but they are not made to last. Just like a trend.
You should buy something because you love it, not because it’s trendy. What are you going to do, repaint your entire kitchen the next year when the fad goes from “life in beige” to “life in technicolor”? No, you pick what really speaks to you. You ask yourself, will I like this in five years? You choose something and make it last. One of the ways to make it last is literal sustainability. Buying not just quality, but a versatile purchase that has sustaining power. This is why I’m proud of the Notebooks & Honey tote bag. When I first started Notebooks & Honey, however long ago, y’all have probably heard that I wanted a diaper bag that did not look like a diaper bag and not only because I wasn’t into nylon bags with pink elephants or whatever on it, it is primarily because I didn’t want to spend money or consume a product that was so transitional. I wanted a bag that could be a diaper bag and after the baby got bigger, it could be used for other reasons, a laptop bag, carryall bag, travel bag, etc. It’s sustainable because it’s not just for the year that your baby is an actually baby. Oh and a bonus about the Notebooks & Honey tote bag is that it is made of waxed canvas, which is considered a sustainable and sturdy material. We’ve all been victims of fast fashion, I still do that every now and then, but I’m trying to be better. I’m not perfect, I don’t always practice what I preach. But, I try and the first step is awareness and intention.
Use it as a diaper bag, laptop bag, overall everyday carry all the stuff bag.
For a lot of people, slow fashion is a lifestyle. As much as I appreciate the notion of slow fashion, I am only one foot in the door with the thought that ,eventually, I can be booth feet in when I grow up. In the meantime, I will practice what I believe in, which is minimalism and consuming only what is necessary (please, pass on the birthday party goody bags … very sweet, but most of that stuff goes in the trash the next day).
Below are practices that I like to live by on my continuous minimalist journey:
- Buy stuff that will last longer or you will want to use for a long time ( for instance, a Notebooks & Honey tote bag). Either spend a little more money for better quality so the item will last longer and/or buy something that can serve multiple purposes and thus have a longer lifespan.
- Consider donating clothes and thrifting (the in and out cycle). One woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure.
- Shop local / small business. A lot of small businesses support local and a lot of times, that literally means in your area which means less transport, using local resources, etc.
- Take note of your “unnecessary” purchase. This has really helped me be aware of my spending and consumption/consumerism habits.
- This is a hard one, because it’s great in a pinch, but have you noticed (yes you haaaaaaveee) that buying stuff from Amazon just makes those spontaneous and often low quality purchases too easy? Be more thoughtful in which stores and brands you support and a lot of times, that means planning ahead and not being so last minute on your purchases.
- Check out clothing rental companies, again, not perfect because there is the issue of carbon footprint in the shipping process, but still something to consider.
- Try being a minimalist. If it doesn’t fit in your closet, then get rid of it or don’t buy any more things. It will make you buy higher quality items and prevent you from buying that cheap trendy thing that you will only wear once. Use the one in/one out procedure. It makes you realize how much you have and how much you really need/don’t need something if you find yourself making difficult choices.
- Honestly, this seems easy, but a lot of people don’t do it … be creative, shop in your own closet. Like way in the back. I tried this experiment for a year where I didn’t buy anything, which forced me to dig way back in my closet to find clothes that I don’t normally wear. And obviously, I kept these beloved clothes for a reason, they were just long lost and forgotten about and needed some attention.
Again, I’m not the slow fashion expert. I splurge every once in a while, but I’m far more conscientious now than in my younger years. I’m all about self improvement, growth and life long learning and this is just part of my awesome journey.