Do you pay attention to sustainable fashion? Everlane ReNew Collection

Do you pay attention to sustainable fashion or eco-friendly brands? I’ll admit, this was never something that was on my radar until I started educating myself more about environmental concerns these past few years. And while I have so much more to learn, it’s very clear that one way I can personally help is by supporting brands that are actively trying to diminish their energy, water, and waste (& now plastic!) footprints. So, this Mindful Monday, I thought I’d dive into how one of my favorite brands is changing the game. That’s right, this Everlane coat is cute, warm, AND good for the environment. And you won’t believe what it’s made out of…

Shop this look:

Coat: c/o Everlane ReNew (wearing an XS) | Hat: Halogen | Sweater: old (similar here!) | Jeans: J Brand | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff (love this chevron version, too!) | Booties: old (similar here!)

Let’s talk about sustainable fashion…

Like I said, this is all still pretty new to me, so I’m going to admit right now that I’m not an expert. I don’t exclusively purchase from sustainable companies, and I definitely have fast fashion in my closet. That’s just the truth. But the other truth is that we all need to start being more mindful of the choices we’re making. Our consumption is having a real effect on the world that will be left for future generations.

How do I know that? Well, fashion is the third most polluting industry in the world, and the largest consumers of water. Reformation, an amazing sustainable brand, also talks about how making fabrics uses water, energy, chemicals and other resources – bet you never think about that, right?! And along with Reformation, other brands, including one of my favorites – Everlane, are helping to demystify this whole concept. They are openly talking about their factories, fabrics, pricing structures, and more.

Everlane ReNew

And last week, Everlane took it one step further when they launched ReNew – a collection of outerwear made entirely from discarded plastic bottles. Because despite plastic literally destroying our environment, we all keep buying it and using it. Every. Day. So, one way to help this issue is by renewing the plastic that has already been made… and turning it into something we can wear for years and years to come. This well made, durable, and warm puffy coat is made from 32 plastic bottles that could otherwise be clogging up a landfill. I KNOW.  This is the future, guys!

Along with the launch, they also announced that they were going to eliminate all virgin plastic from their supply chain by 2021. This is a huge undertaking, but one that I find incredibly admirable. Just in case you were looking for an excuse to buy an Everlane coat… or anything else from them really…

Let’s talk about it…

In the spirit of my other Mindful Monday posts, I’m going to pause on information or links for a second in hopes that you guys can share some thoughts on this topic. Do you ever think about sustainable fashion? If you don’t, is it because of a lack of information? Your price range? Or just that you think there are other ways to help the environment that are easier for you?

For me, I’ve resisted for all of those reasons at some point. If I’m on a budget and I want a refresh of sweaters, I’m probably going to look to more fast-fashion companies who offer significant discounts. But the more aware I become, the more I want to support brands leading the change when I can.

Also, despite being a blogger who is expected to always have something new to show you – I don’t always! I can’t tell you how often people ask me what I’m wearing on insta-stories… and it’s a top or dress I bought 7 years ago and still wear all the time. While I hate telling you guys that things are old, that’s also real life! I rewear old clothes, shoes, and bags every day. And if I don’t, I donate or sell them so someone else can get a lot of good use out of it. Sure, I like to be able to show you how things fit, but I also want to remind all of you that our closets don’t need to be overflowing, as long as they are filled with pieces we will actually wear.

I know I’m not doing everything I could be doing, but changing habits takes time. Plus, an all or nothing mentality can scare people off from wanting to learn more about this whole movement. But little changes add up! Even simply bringing a reusable water bottle to the gym, making coffee at home, or purchasing a coat made from plastic can help.

But really, I’d love to hear your thoughts…

Let me hear it all in the comments below!

Shop the look:

PS. You might also like Exploring Tallinn in a Reformation Dress, Why You Should Wear Things That Make You Happy, The Perfect Red and White Shirt for 4th of July, and Pops of Red for Valentine’s Day.