Winter fashion often winds up being overshadowed by the need for warmth, as everything somehow gets covered by a puffy jacket. Tragically,  the majority of your wardrobe is left unseen for three months of the year. This tactic, while essential for survival during this cold season, is avoidable and can easily be sustainably and inexpensively achieved. 

We have each constructed two outfits that are practical, versatile, fashionable and, of course, sustainable. We hope to give you some inspiration for your winter wardrobe.

Outfit 1- Izzy

It’s always important to sustainably buy staple pieces that can go with a variety of outfits, which is why I love my thrifted leather jacket – it goes with everything. Adding accessories such as bags, purses and hats is a great way to enhance your style and add some color. With this outfit, I chose a checkered crochet bag that I made, which coordinates with a shirt I found at the Portland Vintage Market!

Outfit 2- Claire

It is pretty standard to only look for clothes while thrifting, but I always make sure to take a look at the shoe section. These $6 Skechers are comfortable and versatile. Also, I like to build up my base-layer collection. For example, long sleeves with stripes and patterns look cool under t-shirts or jackets.

Outfit 3- Izzy

While winter does usually mean cold weather, there are occasions when you want to dress up your usual outfit. This is where layering sweaters over dresses or skirts creates a balanced combination of relaxed yet formal. My Mary Jane-style shoes are one of the many treasures that I found in my mom’s footwear collection: never underestimate the power of a good closet raid!

Outfit 4- Claire

This pullover was my dad’s in the ‘80s, my aunt’s in the ‘90s, and was gifted to me a year ago. Underneath, I usually have a graphic tee in case the weather permits a moment without a jacket. Also, a great place to find jeans is at the Goodwill Bins. If they’re too big, a simple fix is throwing them in the dryer or stealing the lace from an abandoned shoe for a belt.

It is important to always think about the thrifted purchases you make before you buy them so that you can be certain that you’ll actually wear it. Overconsumption contributes to a lot of waste due to the fashion industry’s constant production of products in order to meet consumer demands. Even if you’re shopping secondhand, if it’s not done in a responsible way, you could unintentionally add to the problem.

With the holiday season comes a time of consumption. In order to remain on trend, people buy from places that supply quick and cheap fashion rather than making longer-term investments. The fashion industry produces over 92 tons of waste every year, and a large percentage of that is from the United States.

 We challenge you to commit to making investments in pieces that will last a long time and that are friendly to the environment. One of the best ways to do this is shopping second hand. Whether at the Goodwill Outlets (the bins) or through online apps like Depop, there are so many sustainable and cost-friendly ways to build a unique wardrobe. Also, raid your family members’ closets! If you’re visiting your grandparents, cousins or even a sibling, don’t be afraid to take their stuff. For making larger purchases, there are numerous shops that commit to making eco-friendly and ethical clothing items.