Do not discard fashion so easily, it cost a lot more than you pay for, to an animal, to a human being and to the planet.
]]>As a vintage collector and fashion curator, one of my goals is to be part of social change and reduce any negative impact that the fashion industry might leave on the world. Not an easy task by any means. Changing the mindset of millions of people participating in this global economy does not happen overnight.
Understanding how the fashion industry is adding to the global pollution is the first step, let's look at the obvious facts first:
Environmental Impact of Fast Fashion and Recycling
The fashion industry is also the second-largest consumer of water worldwide. It takes about 700 gallons of water to produce one cotton shirt. That's enough water for one person to drink at least eight cups per day for three-and-a-half years.
How Animals Used for Clothing Are Killed
The vast majority of the billions of animals who are killed for their skin, wool, feathers, or fur endure all the horrors of factory farming. Sensitive living beings are forced to live in cramped, filthy conditions, and every bit of freedom and autonomy is taken away from them. Animals suffer at the hands of workers, who may roughly handle, kick, and beat them. After a lifetime of torment, they’re violently slaughtered via the cheapest means possible, including bludgeoning, anal electrocution, and gassing. Some are even dismembered and skinned alive. Trapped animals used for their fur can suffer for days from blood loss, shock, dehydration, frostbite, and gangrene or be attacked by predators before trappers return to kill them.
Fur and leather items are often deliberately mislabeled. In countries where animal welfare laws are virtually non-existent, some producers have been known to kill dogs and cats for fur and leather. So if you wear animals, there’s no easy way of knowing whose skin you’re in. But you can be sure that no matter who they were, they didn’t want to die to become clothing or accessories.
Vintage and Upcycling
Does it mean that by wearing a vintage animal fur, would you be keeping the demand for fur fashion alive, thus promoting and glamorizing the industry and its controversial practices and the many toxic plastic alternatives pumped out by fast fashion retailers? While this is currently a much debated topic, one side of the argument is that, yes, it absolutely does. So, what is one to do?
And this is the part where our conscious and personal practices come to play. If we decide to wear wool, angora, cashmere and silk, or leather or fur are we perpetuating the pain the animals endure to "produce" this garment? Are we also promoting the practices in modern times, which by the way are not more humane or ethical than before, (probably worse because of mass production and high demand).
Do not discard fashion so easily, it cost a lot more than you pay for, to an animal, to a human being and to the planet.
This is the dichotomy: as a fashion curator, discarding a beautifully made piece because it is angora, feels like denying the afterlife to the animals that had to suffer while their fur was being plucked from their bodies in the most miserable of conditions. It feels like simply throwing away their pain as if it was in vain. But if I do claim this piece and resell it, am I being part of the chain of abuse?
After nights of pondering about this subject, researching the conditions of animals and production farms, low wages factories, and also looking into the negative impact of fashion on the environment; after reliving in my head the conditions in which these animals have lived or died, the way factory workers are treated, the amount of plastic we are dumping into the ocean and the waste we are adding into the landfills. I have reached two conclusions and two actions:
1. Recycle and Upcycle vintage
I will not discard vintage "animal by" pieces. I will allow for these animals that were abuse or killed to outlive us. Furthermore, I would upcycle this piece and give them a new life, it is my way of honoring the life that was denied to these creatures during their time on earth.
I am also adding the option to make a donation for every piece in my vintage collection that was part of animal cruelty and I pledge to donate 1% from every sale made on my site to the organizations preventing animal cruelty and supporting animals, like PETA.
I refused to sell Vintage fur on my site, nor I have purchased any fur in the past. The only items I have purchased in the past are wool, angora, cashmere and some leathers. I am pledging to avoid these types of "materials in the future"
2. Buy less and repurpose more.
I will continue to source new and trendy pieces that I believe are worthy items to add to your closet collections because they are viable and timeless. I do encourage to use each piece more than 5 times before you decide to part ways with it. You should make sure to make the conscious decision to not contribute this piece to the landfills and donate to a friend or sell it, so it can continue in a circular fashion economy mode.
No, I do not feel better about my past purchasing patterns. I should have researched more, be more conscious, be more aware of my contribution to the problem. Neither do I think my actions are any better at this point. I don't think it is enough, but it is a start.
While painful, please take the time to read all the references I'm sharing below. Some of the things you are going to find out can make you cry for days, but it is also going to make you appreciate the pieces you already have even more. Do not discard fashion so easily, it costs a lot more than you pay for, to an animal, to a human being and to the planet.
Photo by Ksenia Chernaya from Pexels
https://www.thesun.co.uk/
https://www.peta.org/issues/
https://www.peta.org/features/
https://www.peta.org/issues/
https://www.peta.org/living/
Here is the pledge donation system I just integrated on my site.
No, it is not a lot, but every bit counts.
]]>The trend that has resurfaced is more inclined to the 90's take on it: THE SHRUGS. The shrug is not exactly a bolero, but a knit cropped light sweater, a cousin of the bolero. The shrugs are a lot less sophisticate and less adorned. You can add them as an accessory or a basic piece to your outfit, but it is definitely not a main item. The new version of the shrug has become slimmer and provides a lot less coverage. Mainly shoulder shielding and or arms warmers. Some styles also add the neck warming part with a turtleneck style. But don't fool yourself, this is nothing new, ballerina dancers have been using these kinds of shrugs for decades to warm up their arms during ballet practice.
These Shrugs are also not cropped jackets and are definitely not the Boleros Madona used to wear during the 80s. But, and here is where we predict the evolution of this shrug trend is taking us. We predict the 80's styles BOLEROS are coming back with a bit of shoulder pads, a bit of sequin embellishment, a lot more umph and a lot more glam. And we have proof! The cropped over embellished granny sweaters have been all over social media, pair with those 80s mommie's jeans. Yes, they look adorable and guess what?, cropped jackets make your waist look a lot smaller than it actually is, they can be paired with all sorts of dresses, even wedding dresses. One striking Bolero makes up for 10 little shrugs, because they are so versatile. While some Fashion stylist hate this comeback, others are already embracing it. At Closetblues, we have been definitely collecting pieces for quite some time.
While we understand the evolution takes a while, and you might not be ready to try the 80's or 90's boleros just yet. We are also bringing the Modern Shrugs to our collections. Because you need to shield those shoulders from the sun this summer and wear on top of those small little crop tops, so your dad doesn't feel like you are showing too much skin. We get it. But if you Dare to WEAR now and be Bold before anybody else is....Go AHEAD We have a full collection of Vintage BOLEROS, and they are amazing.
Here are some references for you to learn more.
Bolero .... Typically open-fronted, it is collarless with long sleeves and characteristically stops above the waist. It originates, like the music, from Spain. Before the 19th century, it was more commonly referred to as a Zouave. Although these two jackets share all the same features, a Zouave had a military influence, while the bolero had been inspired by dance and sometime even a toreador, Ole!
Influenced by Spanish styles and modified heavily over the years, the bolero jacket is still a mainstay of fashion today. It is typically flattering to all body types. The cropped hem emphasizes the waist by showing it off while optional padding at the shoulders increases this effect by adding bulk to the top line. It can be made of a variety of materials including cotton, silk, velvet, leather, fur, and various fluffy fringed fabric. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a bolero is “A short jacket, coming barely to the waist; worn by men in Spain; applied to a similar garment worn by women elsewhere, usually over a blouse or bodice.”
And yes WIKIPEDIA Reference is a must
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Rushing, asymmetry, backless, and now built-in t-shirts, so you don’t have to scramble up and find that perfect tee to wear underneath.
]]>The 90's. The last decade of the century was in a way uneventful until Y2K came up to scare us for good and the end of the world was right around the corner. But, nope, it did not happen. What did happen was alternative music, Nirvana and STPs. We had OJ simpson and other celebrities popping everywhere doing insane things, but we survived the 90s and the new century was born.
The fashions took an interesting turn for the better since the 80's (we finally steer away from NEON, yes, thank the heavens). We went darker, maybe a bit more depressed than usual, but taking some tips from the 70’s Bohemian stance made things a bit lighter and cute. Hence, the slip dresses with T-Shirts underneath, a great way to look sexy casual and still transition from night to day easily (yes, night-day because mornings after clubbing is a thing)
Almost 30 years later we have seen the slip dresses reborn maybe twice or three times, without making an impact at all. Until now, where we are adding some interesting touches to the style.
Rushing, asymmetry, backless, and now the latest; built-in t-shirts, so you don’t have to scramble up and find that perfect tee to wear underneath.
All the styles above are found in Closetblues (buy now, and you can thank me later) We make it easier for you to wear the latest trends without having to look too hard for them.
Backless Slips. and scrunchies.
Ruched Slip with Build in T-Shirt
Also, if you want original 90s…we have those too. Check out the original slips as well. Because vintage is a trending fashion that last forever.
]]>Besides staying safe, healthy, and protecting yourself and others; the mask's style has rapidly become the next fashion statement piece. The pandemic has created a new normal for us and with no visible end to this lifestyle on sight, embracing the symbolic piece of our times is the best way to go. The mask effect!
Your mask is going to cover 50% of your face, emphasizing your eyes is not the only thing to do. Your masks need to represent your look and style. Please remember that matching your shoes to your purse is no longer a modern fashion rule. The same goes for wearing your mask, and yes, we are saying mask in the plural as you should have more than one. Here is what to consider:
1. Review your wardrobe and find out what are your predominant colors and styles. Do you wear a lot of black, floral pieces or a lot of colors? Choose one of the masks based on your most predominant style or color. You do not have to be "matchy-matchy", just make sure, it compliments your outfits.
Look for our collection of fashion mask.
2. Think about time and place. Where are you going more often? Do you need to go to the office or workplace? Are you going to the store? Choose a mask that can adapt to your surroundings. If you are in the office, try not to wear a mask with words or controversial graphics. If at the store, maybe use a mask that makes people smile when they look at you. Nothing like making others happy with your mask.
3. Climate. Make sure your masks are not too big or heavy if you are in a hot climate and if you are in a cold area, take advantage of that and use knitted and more scarf-like versions.
Have at least three masks in your collection to choose from. Wash them as often as you need and always have a spare surgical mask in your car or purse, in case of emergencies. And always remember to have fun, these are unprecedented times, but staying positive is the best way to make things work.
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