One reason we do what we do at Wolf & Cub is because we are passionate about giving amazing clothing the chance to live out it's full potential. In a world of fast fashion, being able to upcycle, repurpose or give a vintage piece more life can have a major impact on the environment. Every year the average American discards between 65 and 85 pounds of clothing which adds up to a whopping 16 million(ish) tons of textile waste in the US! By wearing vintage and pre-loved items, even if it just makes up a little bit of your wardrobe (hey, it's baby steps but you can always keep building), you're helping contribute to less toxic chemicals and more waste being dumped into our environment every year.
While more might mean more when you're piling on all the accessories, it really is about quality not quantity when it comes to fashion purchases these days. Instead of spending $100 on 10 items that are poorly made think about investing in just a couple pieces that are of higher quality. Gone are the days when you need a closet full of cheap clothes. Minimizing your wardrobe to include only the most amazing pieces will leave you feeling free. Clothing with color that fades as rapidly as the trend it follows are sure to hit the bottom of that Goodwill bag quicker than you can say Yves Saint Laurent.
Dressing in vintage doesn't mean you have to look like a character out of a Wes Anderson movie, but hey, that wouldn't be so bad either, amiright?!? I'm all about mixing modern styles with a nod to the past and am a huge fan of splurging on a favorite brand of denim and pairing it with a great 70's floral vintage top. Did you know that you could water your lawn for 9 hours with the amount of water it takes to produce one pair of jeans? That makes it all the more worth it to think about investing in some that will last years, not months.
I'm by no means saying it's realistic to think you can go through life without having to do a quick Target run or head to your fast fashion chain of choice to grab a last fill in piece in a pinch. However, if we all became just a little more mindful of our purchases and made an effort to wear vintage, pre-worn and upcycled when possible, it would have a serious impact on our lil' Earth we call home. So, I challenge you to start mixing some preowned pieces in with your favorite mass produced brands. Not only is it a fun way to get creative with your looks (and know that the girl next to you at the bar isn't going to be wearing the same H&M dress as you) but you can also feel good knowing you're being little more socially conscious with your shopping habits while still remaining stylish!
Happy shopping!
XOXO,
Em