Fast fashion CAN be sustainable || plus size budget tips to build REALISTIC sustainable wardrobe 

I'd LOVE to know what your sustainability tips are, or what your thoughts are on this whole subject. But please remember, we are not here to shame anyone! We are here to provide positive ways to make positive change, if people have the ability to do so within their own lives!

My grandmother always said "poor people can't afford to buy cheap clothes". It wasn't until I had children I understood she was referring to the quality of the clothes. like those lovely skirts that are well made and lasting years, I consider that sustainable! That's years of not having to replace items because they ripped or came apart 🤷🏾‍♀. Isn't this what our elders did? Great video!🤗

I have a weird tip, thrift while on vacation. Hear me out, I live in Florida and our thrift stores every fall and winter are filled with hardly worn sweaters and coats. My aunts visit from Europe and they always want to go to a Goodwill to hunt around for winter clothes. One year my aunt found a grey wool coat from Banana Republic for under $20! Xoxo

I recently cut my wardrobe down SOOOO MUCH. I had a massive vintage wardrobe and I was just buying clothes all the time, and I realized I had focused really hard on finding “vintage” things, and I forgot to make sure they were actually things I liked. I kept some vintage things because I still enjoy it, but my advice is don’t get caught in an aesthetic trap, where you focus on reaching an aesthetic not on having a wardrobe you like that works for you. My huge vintage wardrobe I thought I wanted was making me so anxious every time I got dress and I felt guilty for not being happy with my clothes even though I had so many. Now I focus on keeping to the colors I actually like, the silhouettes I actually like, and the textures I actually like. Some of those are vintage! Some are not. But everything actually brings me joy.

Very interesting topic, Kristina! I gotta admit I get the right result using the wrong formula, lol, and here's why: I do thrift, but never because I want to be sustainable or want to avoid fast fashion. I thrift because in my country it's a little bit cheaper than fast fashion, and because it's more of an adventure. I've had this conversation a multitude of times with my students. Full disclosure, I'm a teacher, I live in Russia and all my students are Russian. In as much as this country likes to pretend to be a big badass superpower, it's actually a very poor third-world country anywhere outside of Moscow. I think all this talk of sustainability, ecofriendliness, zero waste lifestyles and such boils down to Maslow's hierarchy of needs. While the civiziled world can afford to think of the planet and can afford to strive for sustainability, we over here are still trying to have our basic needs covered. Of course, individually the situation varies, but the average income implies a really hard thought process for how to pay bills, get food on the table and avoid having a mental breakdown while waiting for the next paycheck. Sustainability who?!

I find the whole "only buy from sustainable compainies" very privileged. I am plus sized and would love to be able to buy all my clothes second hand but that is impossible (even though I volunteer in a charity shop myself)

I wonder how much the fast fashion culture would change if we brought back home econonomics classes and had all students learn to sew on replacement buttons, read a washing tag, set an iron to the correct temperature or tack up dropped hem. I have some basic sewing ability and the number of times I've been asked by colleagues in their twenties and thirties to do a minor repair because otherwise they would throw the item away... Also shoe care - we work in a reasonable professional setting and the shoes that have never been touched by any polish that would extend their life span.

I do a lot of reels where I rewear things & talk about sustainable fashion & I always get people saying that they feel guilty for not buying from sustainable brands etc & my answer is that sustainability is not really about where you buy from or even what you buy but how you wear things, if you buy an item from fast fashion, wear it once & dispose of it - that’s not sustainable. If you buy something from fast fashion & you wear it 100 times, mend it when it rips etc, that is sustainable.

Thank you for this video. Being a low budget family and midsize myself, to avoid fast fashion and tell myself to "just save up," told me in other words "to just wait, save up, and lose weight" which broke my spirit to try at all. Also when it comes to thrifting, you have to hope to be lucky when you go to thrift because the probability of finding exactly what you want and in your size is a toss of a coin and most of the time, it's not the side of the coin you called. In the long run, you should never judge anyone for anything and be who you want to be and pass that kind of positivity on. 😘🍓

This is a fantastic reminder for all body types. I've found that if it's hard for me to find the item, like pants, that fit in a store, it's probably going to be hard for me to find it thrifting, too. As you pointed out, sewing isn't an option for everyone and getting things customized or tailored is definitely not budget friendly. No one should ever feel or be shamed for struggling to find a basic item of clothing they need for their everyday lives and needing to simply buy what fits them best and is still in their budget. Also, as others have pointed out health issues can definitely make any kind of shopping a struggle, and thrifting takes a special kind of mental and physical energy. Particularly if you're looking for specific items you struggle to find. I'm fortunate enough to live near a thrift store that has reasonable prices and fantastic sales but I also know that even some thrifting is becoming what I'd consider a bit pricey. Sometimes thrifting can cost more than the clearance rack and that can be discouraging, too, especially for those on a tight budget.

You always look pretty but you are absolutely glowing in this video. Congratulations on the new baby! 🎉

I love that you've brought this forward. I often thrift clothes that come from fast fashion sites and a coworker says I shouldn't wear those brands because I'm promoting the brand... I've felt second hand guilt 🤣 I think bullying is worse... but that's just me.

Love this so much, I do follow sustainable clothing companies but a dress over £100 is not something I can afford. I buy from supermarkets and thrift but I keep the clothes for a long time. I’m tired of feeling like I should feel guilt or shame for buying from supermarkets but it’s what I can afford and yeah disability benefits don’t stretch too far. I love this video so much thank you for always being honest and open xx

What a refreshing take. I am very low income and have always shopped second hand because it's been cheaper, but some things you don't buy second hand, or you want things as a treat but can't afford the sustainable expensive clothing. I think it's more about the amount of clothing you buy than where you get it from. Also sorry people have commented on your breathing- as an allergic asthmatic I always worry about how my breathing is more audible than others so it's really nice to see you just carry on doing your thing in spite of others comments, so thank you :)

First that apple skirt is everything ! Many people don’t think about Mercari. I personally sell clothing in there. My best friend and I have lost a great deal of weight and I sell them there. I dress more vintage/cottage and she is more professional. I also worked with a consignment shop for five years, I made a vow that I wouldn’t buy anything new (except undergarments) and I have really stuck with it the last seven years. I am privileged to have the ability to thrift. I feel like if every person just tried to be more mindful in the smallest of ways it will not only be more ecologically sustainable but fiscally sustainable as well. Thank you for having this conversation!

Thank you for this reminder. I feel very fortunate that I make quite a bit of money as an engineer, but I also spend a lot of money on a mortgage, childcare, and now therapy (again very privileged to be able to afford those things). However, this puts my clothing budget at basically zero every month. I got caught up in the sustainable fashion movement before my son was born and that was fine back then because I could afford it, but now my body has changed and I hardly have any clothes that fit me. I feel a lot of guilt buying fast fashion still, even though it doesn't make sense for my lifestyle right now and I need to remind myself that I can do the best I can with thrifting and second hand sites but sometimes for my mental health, buying the damn shirt or pants from Target so I have *something* to wear is more important than "buying ethically". And don't get me started on kids clothes - I've tried buying secondhand for him too and my son wears holes so quickly in the fast fashion brands I can find at thrift stores that it's almost laughable.

I have taken all my old clothes and have cut them up and made new stuff out of them one thing I have made is an apron and I'm making a quilt for my bed and I'm going to do other things with it very little waste I believe in

As a person who's been doing this for few decades fast fashion can be sustainable. With some thought and taken care of, timeless pieces can last for many many years!! My collared pink button up tie tank Is now 15 years old. You would never know. Its well taken care of as many classic items in my wardrobe. I get asked often where my clothes come from.. for example I love saying Wal-Mart 2001 and seeing the look on their face 😂 they never guessed and I can tell... And no they can't just go buy it. I'm from Canada so I love buying vintage pieces made in Canada. Happy shopping!! don't feel guilty! buy what you love and take care of it. 😎😉

I remind myself all the time that it’s a matter of balance for me. I buy mostly thrifted, but on occasion, I will buy fast fashion because I have felt super guilty, in the past, and feeling really depressed because I wasn’t doing sustainability “right”.

You little legend! Excellent video! I am plus size, low budget, small country town and our op-shops are very limited in plus size. So I started making my own vintage style clothes. It will be a slow process but a fun one. I'll buy from shops if I love it and will match my esthetic. You can only do what you can do. If you can only buy from shops but return plastic bags to Safeway for recycling...you are helping the world. People need to mind their beeswax and remember to be kind.

You hit on so many great points, I applaud you for taking on this topic! I always try and search thrift stores first, but my budget is already stretched doing that. So the idea of $100 shirt is completely not going to happen for many people. I would love to have only sustainable things, but in the meantime I have to make do with what I can so bless you for tackling this!

Thank you for this video. As a person who likes to dress vintage and a mother with five kids still at home I am always on a budget so it is always quite a feat to keep everyone dressed affordably, especially now that they are getting older (pre-teens and teenagers). The wanting to fit in with peers is so real. A lot of times fast fashion places are where I have to turn just to keep my kids clothed. To buy one kid seven days of clothing I can easily spend $200 and don't even get me started on the shoes. Love all you do, keep up the good work!

You made some really great points that I hadn’t actually thought of despite it effecting me. I definitely put clothes on over my leggings and fitted shirt when im at the thrift store. Goodwill stopped letting us use dressing rooms so I was like… well screw you. I need to know this will fit, because I am limited in how often I can come back to make returns. Its also so exhausting having to do that.

I am SO immensely grateful for this video. You are such an empathic, beautiful soul. I remember feeling downcast after seeing influencers repeatedly talking about “sustainable fashion” and condemning those who bought from “fast fashions”. I am a stay-at-home-mom with 4 kids and my husband is s teacher. I don’t have a lot to spend! I mostly thrift secondhand (local thrift, but mostly Poshmark due to difficulty getting out with small children). Then I watched the video by Lucy Moon on RU-vid (she is an YT influencer) and she brought up the unpopular opinion that “sustainable fashion” has actually become quite a “privileged” option and is not really an affordable option for many people, and she discusses the shaming going on with those who cannot afford expensive, sustainable brands. That lifted such a weight from my shoulders. It’s hard enough to shop for clothing while pregnant, or postpartum, but to add the guilt because you bought clothes from Pinkblush? (A maternity/postpartum fast fashion brand) It was hard for me, to be bigger than I ever was in my whole life, nothing fitting, and needing an entire new wardrobe because NOTHING fit with how much weight I gained after my 4th baby. I am so grateful for the grace and wisdom that I can learn from you! I am fairly new into the vintage journey (started this year after wistfully longing for it the past 2 years) I wish I could afford the real vintage pieces. But currently I take modern clothes and style them in a vintage way. ❤ There are things I know now after much trial and error with thrifting and via buying sales: 1) I avoid polyester fabric as much as possible, and opt for natural fabrics. They breathe better and last longer. 2) Just because it’s from Amazon doesn’t mean it’s terrible quality. I find it difficult to afford vintage /retro clothing from brands even like ModCloth but Amazon has cotton or rayon one as in my price point that I would like to get. 3) The ONE fast fashion brand that is absolutely off the table for me is SHEIN , after discovering how unethical and practically using slave labor in China it is. But even then, I own one dress from Shein, so who am I to judge another? Live and learn. 4) I love Poshmark. I can find secondhand pieces, dupes for ones I see from high end brands, and it’s so awesome to find brands like Ralph Lauren or Land’s End in my price range. I’ve still not had much luck with retro pieces in my price range or in my colors/prints , the right fabrics, or modest enough. But I keep looking! I love that you encourage going and finding small makers & private businesses on Instagram, Etsy, etc. You are a gem!!

Hi Kristina, Your video is very interesting! I enjoyed it! I have a small budget and I like vintage. I buy my clothes in thrift store. I am small but I'm 60 old years, and I don't always dare vintage! I'm afraid of getting older!!! Yet I love some dresses but I don't buy! I stay in the classic vintage clothes.Your dresses are so pretty and colorful, I really like your style! I also live in the countryside in France, I am French. Thank you very much for your shares! I don't comment much but I watch all your videos and always put a ¨like¨! Matilda.

Well said, Kristina! I have been trying to only buy things secondhand and I try to only buy things that I can see myself getting wear out of. Poshmark is great but sometimes the markup can be really high. There's been times I've searched for things and the price the seller was asking was higher than what the retailer was selling it for. I try to find sales too, as much as I can

Tips from a tailor to help you avoid (or just not need if it's unavailable) the fitting room. Most important: NEVER trust tags or hems. They can be way off for various reasons. This is especially important when shopping thrift stores. Know your measurements! Any that apply to your preferred fit. When you take measurements like your waist, cut that number in half. When you measure that place on a garment, lay it flat. For pants/shorts: waist, thigh, ankle and inseam. (Yes ladies! Even you need to know your preferred inseams.) Be sure to measure the inseam from the actual seam (where the two pieces of fabric were sewn together) and not the outer edge of the double fell. The easiest way to get accurate numbers is to measure your favorites in your closet. They're your favorites for a reason. Skirts/Dresses: your preferred length. Always measure a garment from waist to hem in multiple places to find if it's even. And, of course, waist. Shirts/Blouses: preferred sleeve and side seam lengths especially. (Sleeve length can be either from shoulder to wrist or the seam on the underside.) Also chest/bust and waist. You might even want to measure your upper arm in your arms are larger. You'll want to measure the largest part. Jackets/Sweaters: slip them on. Nobody will care.

Thank you for your videos- I really enjoy your unique style. You are absolutely dead on the money with the points you’ve raised. I absolutely adore vintage fashion and would love dearly to be able to buy predominantly true vintage clothing. However, I’m not only plus size, I’m also a taller and larger frame. This often means that vintage clothes (even when I’ve been smaller) don’t fit. In addition to that, the vintage clothing situation here in Australia is on fire, which means prices go up. It is often as expensive and sometimes more, to buy vintage clothes. I was only recently lamenting the days where you could find absolute bargains in the op shops. To bring my ramblings to an end, I do buy clothes from places like Princess Highway and Unique Vintage (mostly during their sales) but I don’t feel guilty because I love, care for and keep my clothes forever. I have items in my wardrobe that I bought when I was a teenager (30 years ago). I also share my clothes with family and friends, or make gifts of them if someone really likes them. I think a large part of the sustainability battle is keeping things out of landfill.

Everything I buy, I use till it's worn out, & reuse the clothes to make a new garment, or rags etc. I don't have much money, & I go to thrift stores, & Walmart mostly. Is it fast, yes, but I don't throw it, or change it out like many do. We at the bottom of the rung who have to buy it, often have no choice. We spend under $100 a year on clothes through a year for two people. I can't devote the money to big forever items. As much as I'd like too. Thanks for talking about this! We are rural, & there's only two thrift stores that often don't have plus size available.i don't buy trends, I just get basics that fit.

Oh man yes! I agree with everything you said! Also I love these long form videos!

Great video! Beautiful pieces. The bloopers were equally as fun. I have a huge smile on my face. Thank you for sharing 😊

Just found you. I'm a 14 to 16. I'm also smaller on top and larger on the bottom. I live in a small town. We only have one thrift shop here. I believe ninety-five percent of my clothes are thrifted. I order a lot of things from Thredup. You are right about the measurements. I also go to other towns in my area. I try to buy natural fabrics as much as possible. I really don't like polyester and other synthetic materials. Thanks for sharing.

This was a beautiful video to watch. You hit many points that needed talked about .

I am the first to see this video I love all your videos I think the world of you . Don't ever let anyone get you down. Just be your true self. Be your own person and be the best person you can be

You're amazing!!! I love you. Thank you for all your amazing words and advice.

Really enjoyed this video and thought you addressed it very well. Plus size on a budget isn’t easy so to hear tips and tricks is brilliant. Xx

This is your second video that I’ve watched. I’m glad I subscribed. 😊

love the ideas, have always wanted a vest now because of your fashion now I have ideas. The breathy voice is so vintage.😁

Great video! I quit smoking almost 2 years ago and packed on over 25 pounds. Been struggling with my weight ever since and consequently struggling with my wardrobe, not wanting to buy larger sizes only to discard as the weight comes off. Thrifting really is hard when you don't really know your new size and trying on is not an option. Add that I am low income retired on SS. Also being high risk when it comes to Covid has its limitations when it comes to going out to shop. Resorted to Amazon a few times because sometimes it can't be beat for accessibility, pricing, free shipping and returns without consequences. Don't come for me, commenters. It's about balance and doing what you have to do based on your own situation. Thanks Kristina for clearly stating your thoughtful and balanced views.

Inflation has risen faster than minimum wage has! If it had risen up we'd have a $22 dollar an hour wage. Federal income is $7.50 an hour? That's not much. The poor is the fastest rising group. The middle class is shrinking at a rapid rate. This is something to consider when you think you want to say something. Thank you for covering these topics! I hate to feel worse when watching style videos. I love yours!

This was such an informative video. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and experiences regarding fast fashion and sustainable fashion. I definitely more educated.🥰

Thank you for this much needed video! I am definitely going to start looking at Poshmark 🙌 l've also learned to wait for sales and purchase then rather than impulsive FOMO buys 💖

Thank you for discussing accessibility as it relates to people with disabilities! As you also kindly mentioned, people with disabilities often have more expenses. And let me say, living on Soc Sec Disability isn’t a huge income 😂😂!

Here's the thing about boycotting fast fashion - if we all stopped buying from a particular brand tomorrow, the economic impact of that could be devastating for the workers. Yes, the working conditions may be terrible, but no work at all is often more terrible. If anything, we need to hold fast fashion conglomerates accountable for providing safe and equitable working environments for the workers, as well as implementing more environmentally friendly practices.

Congratulations on 18k!❤🎉

I, personally, am lucky enough to be able to have several thrift stores near me where I'm able to find items that fit me and I recognise that not everyone is fortunate enough to be in this position. Some people have to buy fast fashion put of necessity but I'm not on board with the people who do excessive hauls simply because they have the funds to do so.

Awesome points made! I personally think over-consumption is the bigger problem than occasionally buying fast fashion (which is still not good)... I have some Forever 21 pieces that I bought in college (15 years ago) that I still wear regularly, thanks to careful washing and mending. Some brands that are popular today, like shein are kind of scary though, as they seem to be designed to get people addicted to wasteful shopping

Great video!

Well said! I go to my thrift stores first and if I can't find what I need I buy new wherever will be the cheapest because you have to do what you have to do there is no shame in that :)

I’m glad to see this because although I save for some vintage items I just can’t justify spending over $50 for a vintage item it’s just not affordable.

Well said, Kristina! I've had 5 children and have gained a considerable amount of weight over the years and have found it increasingly difficult to find itmes for myself at thrift stores. I try hard to buy second hand items, but have had to supplement my wardrobe with fast fashion items out of necessity.

Just a heads up, thredup sells on eBay with free shipping. 🙂

thank you so much for this video! it's been a struggle for me to shop since I went up sizes in the past few years. I really wish I could stick to high quality and sustainable brands, but budget limits a lot of my choices. additionally, my top and bottom sizes don't match anymore, which adds to the difficulty when I want to get dresses or matching tops and bottoms. plus since getting diagnosed with a disability, I hadn't realized how much my poor choices in clothing before has made my life more difficult due to things like laundry requirements and fabric textures. cute and comfortable pieces usually require handwashing and it's a nightmare 😰I'm still in the process of replacing my wardrobe to things that fit my lifestyle and size, and sometimes I feel guilty when I have no other affordable option except fast fashion. I really appreciate you sharing this 🥰 here in the Philippines, there are a lot of great sellers on Instagram now for second-hand clothes. while there's no filter option for sizing, I've found amazing sellers who will provide accurate measurements and even a few who are willing to adjust things like skirt length or fit FOR FREE, bless them. it also helps me get a better idea of what styles I like and don't like since I see a variety of examples. I'd also advice to do research on what options are available in your area/country. if you can source your clothing nearer to you, that lessens the carbon footprint even if the brand isn't necessarily sustainable. also, try to figure out where you can reliably get your preferred style online because for some places, Facebook groups are the best way, while for me, Instagram stores are the best at the moment. living sustainably with limited options is really something that needs to be figured out individually. each person's needs and resources differ after all. ☺

BRAVO 👏 ❤

You made great points, once again! I am a creator and I sell my hand knitted knits on Etsy and through Instagram but I do have personally a low and tight budget, I am a stay-at-home mom too. I encourage as much as possible people to purchase from creators like myself but pn the other hand I can not blame people to also purchase from fast fashion shops because i do too sometimes. For exemple, I can't buy panties from small businesses for 50 or plus bucks a pair of undies. I can't money wise and morally because of our budget, the guilt would be massive. But for bigger pieces and mainly long lasting pieces like coats or skirts, if I don't thrift then I'll do my best to put aside money to buy the piece. It's a matter of balance I think. Doing the best you can with what you have. I'd feel more guilt if my family would be filthy rich and we'd buy only fast fashion. And also caring for the clothes is a game changer, to seldom wash skirts, to use specific types of fabric over others depending on the tasks (I don't wear this fabrics to the playground with my kids but thick jeans or thicker cottons wash easy to wash), I use aprons to protect my garments when doing chores and cooking. And buying the correct size too, with my weight fluctuations about 70% of wardrobe is too small now, and I find myself sometimes, still, buying from second hand groups some garments which I know will be too tight therefore uncomfortable for my lifestyle of running after small kids. And in the end, trying to not compare ourselves to others, we all have different budgets, priorities and I personally need to work more on this part. It's in my opinion more sustainable to own few small businesses pieces and 70% fast fashion but that you wear everyday rather than 100% small business wardrobe but that you purchase every other week, barely wear the majority and always having your orders shipped. I love the videos you put out there, always food for thought and it's very enjoyable to see it from a mother too, I can relate better. Have a good day!

I am plus size. The clothes I find in the thrift store are few in my size and old and worn and stretched out. Being poor I buy cheap clothes but I still have clothes that are 30 years old that I still wear. If it fits and is in good condition I keep it. Fashion cycles around and the old clothes always come back in style. Also I sew but because of how expensive fabric and notions are it's cheaper buying clothes from target or walmart. Sewing is a luxury to sew exactly what I want with the exception of tailoring or mending.

I'm a bookseller so i despise amazon lol but i can understand your reasoning about the affordable and long-lasting fashion items.

I live alone and after I pay all my bills I usually stick 20 to 50 dollars in my savings account and when I need new clothes I go to Walmarts to buy new clothes. And I save to buy what I need usually at Walmarts or if something happens and I can't pay a bill I just take it from the savings account

I absolutely believe there is a place for it. But I also think a lot of people do it because it's "cute" and not because there is actually a need. New school clothes on a budget sure that's a need. New school clothes because you prefer purple this week. Not a need. I think there's a difference in fast fashion and non sustainable. Fast fashion doesn't LAST long enough to be worth it for people who actually need clothes. Like sure you can repair but if you are reparing constantly is it worth it?

10:27 i think yellow is very much a fall color! I would keep them both! I would add a terracotta cardigan or something! It would be so cute! The yellow reminds me of aspen leaves in the fall!

I am plus size too. I buy a lot of clothes secondhand from shops or on etsy. Every now and then I buy something in a fastfashion-shop. But I will wear this item for years. I use shirts, blouses and cardigans I often use them us a warm cover under a dress or blouse or sweater in winter when this shirt, blouse or cardigan does not look that good anymore. In Germany you can give clothes away to charity shops or sell/gift them in facebook groups. What I think the worst aspect of fast fashion is that a lot of people buy clothes in one year and throw them away the next year because it is not in fashion anymore.

Have you read 'The darling buds of may'? It is also a television programme in the UK. It is by HE BATES and is a lovely gentle story about a family in England in the 1950s/60s. I think you would love it, it is also very family friendly. I buy from Lady vintage and Hell bunny in the uk and often get things on e bay, turning dresses into tops and using the left over material for other crafts. Have you heard of Snag tights? They are wonderful and are online. I look forward to watching your older episodes as I crotchet. This is a truly lovely channel, I am only a little jealous of how many strawberrie items you can find second hand.

I love thrifting. But as you already pointed out: as a plus size it's not easy. At least in Europe. All my clothes are worn, mended and worn again until they give up - or are too small 😅 Love your skirt, and your singing voice 🎶👌

Kristina, I have one comment I hope you will take to heart: you are not "Plus Size." You are VOLUPTUOUS. I really hope you'll remember that when rancid critics try to shame you. I just have a personal issue with the term because I think it has a lot of negative connotations, and YOU are beautiful, a devoted wife and mother, and voluptuous:) I want you to know that every day, even when you are covered with spit-up and no lipstick!

I’m a stay at home mom so I don’t have money to spend on things all the time but whenever I do have extra cash I thrift. I fluxuate size between XS and small and I can’t always find my size especially jeans, so when found some at Target I bought every color😅 I feel weird buying myself *new clothes* and spending more on new clothing is also a weird feeling 😅 but that being said they are fair quality and I feel like they are an investment

Together we can can make the world a better place to live in

Thanks for this!! I try to thrift or buy sustainable, but I am a teacher and I can't spend $150 on a pair of pants when I can get a pair for $40 at a fast fashion store.

Ok 1st... That blouse /lipstick color combo, so pretty (what lipstick are you wearing?). And brooch super cute! Lol To be honest, sustainability hardly enters my mind. I'd never shame anyone for where they shop, it's their money, their business. I'll be a cheap ass til I die 😆 I just dont want to spend full price on clothes. If it's not thrifted, gifted, clearance or sale, then it's a No for me. That goes for my kid's clothes too. Also, the old cosplayer in me likes the challenge of turning something old/used into something special and unique.

Wanted to say thank you so much for the video on how to make a tablecloth skirt! I've been wanting to do that but wasn't sure if it was possible. As someone who is plus sized and disabled I simply can't go thrifting where I live. Of the few thrift stores we have some will not allow plus sizes. I agree, I've tried ThredUp but none of their measurements seem to match what would make sense for the sizes they are claiming. I got a purse from there but they didn't show or mention that it was pebbled leather so I don't like it when it arrived. My body type requires trying things on. At this point out local Wal-Marts have even removed their instore plus sizes. Perhaps I am in the minority with this but, no matter how cheap the cost of a piece of clothing I will keep and wear it for over a decade. I am poor and if Shein is willing to sell me the same top as another retailer for less then I will shop Shein. An interesting side note is that the luxury brands have their clothing made in the same sweat shop buildings as Wal-Mart. They discovered this happening when there was a fire at one in India a number of years ago. I have to say if someone goes to Disney who pays a lot of their employees so little that they are homeless, I am not ok with that person telling me I'm bad for buying a cheap dress. P.S.- Your hair, makeup, and top are fabulous in this video!!

You couldn't say it better! Not everyone has the luxury to save for clothes

❤️ Kristina you look so lovely love your look 🎃

I find it difficult to get clothes for myself-sleeves aren't always long enough and for pants I can get either the waist to fit great OR the length. It's hard to be able to thrift as the return policy isn't reat and not always fitting rooms to try on before buying. I think the way of sewing your own may be the way to go...

Late comment, but I feel like the thing most often left out of this conversation is doing the math in how many items of clothing is necessary for you and your life. This may be different for everyone but it’s important to at least ask yourself what your personal click point is. How many days a year are “sleeveless top” weather for you? How many of those days are you likely to want or need a “nice” sleeveless top, considering you might rewear your nice sleeveless top several times in a given summer? For me there is something close to a mathematically objective answer- I need 5 or less “nice” sleeveless tops, because I rewear my favorite one a lot and I work in activewear so I can’t wear “nice” tops to work. So if I’m going to buy a new nicer sleeveless too, even secondhand, it needs to be absolutely spot on, since I know my collection of these don’t get many chances to be worn as it is. I’ve always been working with a very small budget, and that has meant really asking myself what I truly need (by the numbers) for the things I do, and then finding the items that will be most functional long-term for those needs. Sometimes the need is to feel cute or more like myself. But how many newly-added items do I need to get that need filled? Likely not that many. Because I do sometimes need to buy fast fashion for functional items (like work stuff), I try to find things that won’t get too rough to wear quickly, that have some features that will still be enjoyable to wear if I change size here and there. and that I’m likely to still enjoy in 3 years.

While people love to hate on Amazon, many small businesses sell on Amazon. We all need to stay in our own lane, do what is right for ourselves, and don't worry about what others do. I see too many self-righteous people online, but their real lives may not match their persona. I buy about half of my clothes and make the other half. You need to do what is right for you.

I look at it this way...as long as a person is happy with what they are wearing I don't care where they got their clothes. It's none of my business. Everyone has their own budget, their own style, and their own views on clothes. It's not my place to judge them. Personally, I LOVE thrifting, but still own a few fast fashion pieces. Heck the outfit I'm wearing in my profile pic is from unique vintage. I will wear something until it falls apart and is unfixable or I outgrow it though (even then one of my kids generally takes it). That's my two cents anyway.

Substainability

So thoughtful.

Also a note about when you mentioned return policies. Our thrift stores after two years still will not let you try anything on… And you can’t return things for the money you spent. Just a credit.

I was born with a body that hates sizes when it comes to clothes my waist is one size but my actual hips r a completely different story. Too small for plus size but too big for the “normal” clothes. This makes thrifting so hard to do! 9 times out of 10 I’ll never find anything that fits 😢. I really rely on the sizing charts Amazon provides. Unfortunately, Amazon seems to be the only store that has my size and I have a lot of guilt over getting clothes from there.

I never thought of the diversity of plus size bodies. Like, everybody is obviously different but when you're slim, everything seems to be cut kinda right. But when you gain weight (even a little bit), you don't know where it will go on the body. That makes it more difficult to find something that fits perfectly.

I went from 111pounds to a 153 in less than a year I am told all the time you're fat I had to buy larger clothes I have gained weight so fast because of the health issue I now have I'm in my 50's and also on account of the medication the doctor has me on. I am too old to care what others think I'm doing my best to not gain any more because it wouldn't be good for my heart. However no one should ever make fun of another person or put them down for any reason

I'd buy better quality if I could afford it, my budget is goodwill or Walmart usually. Thrifting is awesome, love it, unfortunately it's slim pickings for my daughter who is plus sized.. so, yeah.. I shop fast fashion.. if I bought one slow fashion quality piece at a time.. uhm... We'd be running around half clad, that being said... I do try my hardest to get the best quality I can afford, skipping trends , looking to shop timeless pieces when possible.

My wardrobe is a little bit of everything. I do look toward collecting from small creators more than ever but the few pieces of fast fashion I have I plan to keep. That's the whole point of sustainability isn't it? Not to have less but to make the most of what you have. I say go ahead and purchase what makes you happy, just don't be a hoarder.

I think getting mad at people for buying fast fashion is misplaced ire. You should be mad that the system is the way it is, not that someone exists within the system.

Oh man, hearing all this criticism that exists is making me so glad I am soooo boring! I haven't had a choice; my health has been sucky. I hope people see that maybe the reason people shop like this is due to bad health, which isn't always obvious. I look "normal", which hasn't been particularly helpful in getting taken care of by doctors (which I should add, I haven't been seeing doctors for 10 yrs because they exhaustingly were very uncaring & unhelpful. And I have just had amazing care recently, having had emergency issues. I really hope this is a positive sign for the future...) Blah blah blah... Sorry. Anyway, between health issues and having a seperation anxiety dog, I have had the hardest time shopping, and learning my new city in general. The pandemic obviously didn't help. I would like to get to know places to go and a better way to do things, but I need energy first😔

plus size thrifting can be an issue since there are so many Restyle or grab the fabric and remake tutorials on YT. Tiny teens/20s etc go into the thrift and look for large sizes to cut down or reclaim the fabric for a new project. If that happens a lot in your area, the choices get even scarcer. Watching tiny people go out of the thrift racks for plus size, loaded down, can be very disheartening.

I wish we lived in the same town and state we would make good friends and I love your kids

I think it is interesting how “Sustainability” has become such a trendy but also not thing. Like eating organic. Something that is talked about a lot but in my experience it is usually lot of talk and not put into practice or it is taken really far, and they look down on anyone who doesn’t practice 💯 sustainability. (Not all this is a overall statement, not every case.) Personally sustainability isn’t my main goal. For me it is more what I believe to be morally right and wrong. I dont want people tp suffer to make something for me, I want to be a good steward of the resources God has given us. When humanly harvested i have no problems wearing wool, leather, etc. any more then I would linen or cotton. Another priority to me when buying things is health. After learning about how terrible certain fabric are to our health (namely Polyester!😳) i have made the switch to almost all natural fibers, as i could afford it. I am ok with going with less to have better health. Another thing for me is how i feel in it, for me personally as a mid size not quite plus but not really regular sizing, i find it really hard to find fast fashion clothes that actually fit me well. So for me personally i would rather thrift everything possible and slowly buy high quality clothing that will last me years. Just me current thoughts on thus, now i am going to watch the rest of your video!🥰

Can you drop the link for those Amazon skirts? 😏 lol

And people always neglect the care element of fadt fashion. People don't properly care for their clothes. If you have the mentality a shirt is disposable, you'll treat it badly, wash it wrong, etc. My TJ Maxx stuff lasts years and years

for me it's about the workers. i don't want to support a bad and unfair work environment millions of miles away in China. everybody deserves a living wage and decent work hours

Why do we need to judge people anyway? Why not let people live to the best of their ability? We are all different!

I also recycle

How is it anyone's business what you do with your money? People just need to piss off and mind their own business.

nearly all textiles are from China, even many companies that pay premium to be called sustainable. Even if the raw materials are source elsewhere, the process of making it into fibers and textiles is mostly / nearly fully happening in China. Very bespoke situations exist in cities (NYC, LA) or Eastern Europe but they are not affordable or even desirable by most people. When people say "sustainable" fashion what they mean is not polyester, but increasingly polyester-like textiles (like tencel) is called sustainable but the fact of the matter is, it isn't. When I've canvassed (ha, pun intended!) sustainable fashion sites, 80% where made with "approved" recycled plastic materials. They are not actually organic cotton, made in a place that is equitable pay, or designed/sewn by people once removed from slave labor. It is THE industry somehow the eco-warriors have ignored, most likely, because there would be no effective boycott. The world would be mostly naked if they did!!! (LOL!)

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