Fashion Whys?

* Why do so many people buy (literally and figuratively) into "they" (who are they?) telling us what the "must haves" are this season and we should purchase the latest "trend" (but don't wear it next year, you'll be out of style!) If something is a "must have" perhaps "they" should send us all one - for free.
* Why should we drool over and purchase expensive fashion way beyond our means. No matter how much I love an article of clothing, I'll inevitably tire of it or no longer fit into it and pass it on. How many $100 skirts and tops did I used to buy at Anthropologie, seduced by catalogues of women basking in a French farmhouse or in a field? How I wish I had the cash instead. Those purchases were frivolous looking back, not a "splurge" or "treating myself" - my old way of thinking.
* Similarly, that if a celebrity is wearing something, you should go out and get it too. I hear all the time in the vegan community that an expensive coat or shoes have been worn by vegans such as Emily Deschanel, Alicia Silverstone and Natalie Portman so we should be coveting them. I understand the marketing value in our celebrity obsessed culture, however, I DO NOT have their bank account, nor do the majority of women.
* Why do we think that just because something markets itself as "eco-friendly" it must be. Are "natural" food products all really "natural?" A colleague who works in marketing expressed his view that Americans cannot tie themselves to a social movement (we were talking about the environmental cause) unless consumerism is attached. We definitely want to support companies that reflect our values, but we need to do our homework or it's buyer beware.
For instance, bamboo is still regularly promoted on environmentally minded blogs, but the FTC has issued numerous advisories on it (such as this one).
* Why should people interested incorporating veganism more into their life get rid of perfectly good non-vegan items in their closets that were purchased before becoming interested in animal welfare? I still have non-vegan items in my household I bought years ago, and use them unapologetically. I will even acquire non-vegan items second hand through swaps and thrift. I don't let any activist shame me for my decisions or let them try to micromanage my life.
*Why does the label affixed to the clothing or accessory have such an impact on how we view it? How much of it is psychological? Recall the I Love Lucy story of Lucy, Ethel and those "Jacques Marcel" dresses. While browsing at a consignment shop, two women were shopping and one announced the label of every item of clothing she picked up from the rack. Even once declaring, "Made in Italy!"

One major source of clothing for me now: seasonal clothing swaps I co-organize with two lovely co-workers. Leftovers went to charitable thrift shops, including New York City's Housing Works, and the C.A.T.S. Resale Shop in Weswood, New Jersey.

We provide light refreshments during the lunch hour swaps from wallet and vegan-friendly Trader Joe's. For fall: olive hummus and reduced guilt pita chips; pomegranate sparkling cider and spiced apple cider, maple leaf and snickerdoodle cookies, and apples.

Here are some of my finds.

I recently saw vegan sweaters touted on a popular vegan fashion blog. The cheapest one: $150. My "new" Heather B vegan sweater for fall/winter, free.


A cotton Old Navy skirt. Loved the autumn-inspired leaf pattern, and the whimsical pink trim.

The cheerful polka-dot shoes from Nine West, never worn; a black cotton cardigan, American Eagle Outfitters, and a Janette John 3:16 cotton dress that someone brought back from the last swap since it didn't fit her. I'm wearing the dress in fall with boots, leggings and a cardigan, and will pair it with ballet flats in spring and summer.

Lest you think I'm immune to the label lunacy: I confess this story to be true. This top was put out as a "preview" item early the day of the swap to advertise. No one claimed it before or during the swap, until my coworker who brought it in said, "You should take it, it's from Anthropologie." Suddenly, it was more attractive. I did take it, and have worn it with a long sleeve white Banana Republic swap shirt underneath. It goes perfectly with my Old Navy skirt.

Consider hosting a swap of your own for frugal fun everyone can enjoy in today's economic climate. Swap with friends, co-workers, family members - anyone! Include beauty products, gift items like candles and frames, and accessories so everyone can find something if there's an excess of one size. Donate the leftovers to a charitable shop (find one through TheThriftShopper.com).

This female blogger's "in's": financial empowerment, embracing your own sense of style, a closet (and household) filled with only items you truly are using and love, and independent thinking. Out: uniform thinking, living beyond our means, trends and "must have's."

Summer Clothing Sale: 100 Percent Off

On a preview of an upcoming segment on online shoe retailer Zappos.com on CBS Sunday Morning, the commentator said what's constantly being drilled into all our heads: If Americans want to get the economy going, they're going to have to start shopping. Always, the consumer as the savior, as Alea wisely put. I say enough is enough.

Meanwhile, while walking out of Trader Joe's, I spotted a girl (about 12 I'd guess), carrying a Coach bag. The owner of a consignment shop told me teens come in there and refuse to purchase the copies, insisting they only carry "the real thing." Marketers are getting to females younger and younger, and Sex and the City and other media images don't help matters. Product placement ladies, we don't fall for it.

That said, I went on a shopping spree - for free - at our annual summer clothing swap, which I co-organize with two other women at work.

We offered light refreshments from budget-friendly Trader Joe's: guacamole, pineapple salsa, multi-grain tortilla chips, with strawberry lemonade to wash it down. One co-organizer requested their maple leaf creme cookies. They may seem more fall-like, but people seem to LOVE these year round. Plus, they're vegan!

Clothes!


The above was a fraction of it. We received a lot of fall items so set up a section with colorful posters that said, "Fall Preview," and also had a Sleepwear section. Someone even brought four pairs of new boy short panties (yes, new, with the tags still affixed). Many had quite a laugh, but guess what - they were all taken!

I don't know who can wear these types of heels. While I secretly wish I could sport black heels a la Diane Lane in the film Unfaithful, my feet beg for Sophia Petrillo shoes a la the Golden Girls.

These shoes are a bit more my speed. Cute polka dots. Not my size.

Necklaces, and a brand new satin clutch bag. I returned the black necklace I got at a prior swap (next to the red).

Brand new watch with rotating bands in a case.

A sampling of unwanted beauty products. Over half of these were taken, include new soap and bubble bath from Bath and Body Works, and Burberry and Tommy Girl perfume. Have unwanted lotion? Put it in your office bathroom for communal use after handwashing, which we did with the leftovers.

I'm not a fan of gifting scented lotions, sprays and such to someone unless you know they love that scent. Even then, I once received a pricey Origins set (which my friend knew I liked, but didn't know that I no longer did) and I ended up donating it. I also once got a White Musk Body Shop gift set from a friend - but that was her favorite scent, not mine (I actually wondered if it was a re-gift). I exchanged it for something else. Truth be told, I've received so many unwanted gifts (and I'm sure given many myself), I stopped doing gifts period.


My finds (I'm disclosing brand names as an FYI):

White top with black trim, Old Navy; white sweater, H&M; black beaded skirt, Express; and black sandals, Anne Klein.



Old Navy was advertising these long flowy skirts on television, but mine (brand JJ Club) was free. Green Abercrombie & Fitch top.


An Edme & Esyllte cotton top (about twice the length in the picture) and white cotton Gap cardigan. I also scored a cute beige sweater (not pictured), which will be perfect on the air conditioned bus and office.


Leftovers? To Salvation Army in Chelsea, New York City, C.A.T.S. Resale Shop (to benefit homeless cats and dog), and This-n-That Thrift Shop in Hillsdale, New Jersey, to benefit Shelter Our Sisters.

Okay to acquire second-hand wool, silk, and leather at swaps, thrift shops, eBay or other outlets for used goods? I say yes. Take a look at the 50 cent bin at the C.A.T.S. Resale Shop. The second hand market is flooded with unwanted clothes and shoes. I'd rather acquire a second-hand item, even non-vegan, versus going to the mall and buying something new. I'm now relying on swaps and thrift and consignment shops for my clothing needs.

Clear Out a Closet, Help Save the Earth

"Topshop and H&M pump out stylish, low-cost items meant to be worn for a season, then thrown away," observed a New York Times article on the success of PeopleStyle Watch magazine, and the lower cost fashions it features.

Thrown away. See the trend we're on for Earth Day week? Disposable beverage containers. Disposable home goods. Disposable electronics. Why not disposable clothes too?

With that in mind, my two co-workers and I held our spring clothing swap at work so people's unwanted clothes could find a more welcoming home than a landfill.

We offered light refreshments. From wallet-friendly Trader Joe's: organic pink lemonade and 'Arnold Palmers' (half iced tea, half lemonade) and clementines. We also offered vegan vanilla creme cookies.


So many clothes! Items of the season: we got an abundance of tops, but also had dresses, pants, shorts and skirts.

We were happy a variety of sizes were offered, but there was definitely an abundance of smaller sizes. It's a challenge. You can't force anyone to donate. We're thrilled people are donating at all.

We also had the most clothes we’ve ever had with the original tags still on them.


So that all sizes can find something, unwanted beauty products, jewelry and accessories were included. Some brand new Bath and Body Works lotion and hand soap were scooped up, and a gorgeous beaded royal blue necklace went before I could even photograph it.

Books and a small sampling of jewelry.


Cute new and gently used shoes. I'm a ballet flats woman. Not my size.


These Bandolino shoes appear to have never been worn.


And so much leftover! This was just some of our donations. In New Jersey, we donated to the C.A.T.S. Resale Shop in Westwood to benefit homeless cats and dogs, and the This-n-That Thrift Shop in Hillsdale, where items will be marked to benefit Shelter Our Sisters. We donated some unseasonable items to a nearby New York City Salvation Army, which is much larger and can accommodate all kinds of donations.


This is the first swap where I didn't take anything. Unless I really love something, even if it's free or from thrift, I'm leaving it in the universe for someone else.

While clearing out a closet and passing on items to a family member or friend, a charitable thrift store or even selling it might not qualify as what most people think of as 'green', to me it is very much so an environmental act. New production of an item will now not be needed since someone else can use what's already produced. And it makes green living accessible to every income.

Happy Earth Day!

Catch the Clothes Swapping Fever

We cleared out our closets. We donated. We ate. We smiled. Here's how the latest clothing swap I co-organized at work looked, and how we did it.

We made no rules.

We invited everyone through e-mail or flyer. One didn't have to donate to take something. The idea is simply to let go of things you don't want or like, and pass it on to others who will use and love them. Leftovers are bound for the Salvation Army in Chelsea and the C.A.T.S. Resale Shop.

We supplied refreshments.

All vegan and all yummy: homemade hummus made by a swap co-organizer, the rest from Trader Joe's: sparkling pomegranate juice, pita chips, brown rice marshmallow treats and cafe twist cookies.

We swapped items of the season.

These cozy warm sweaters reminded me of a Crayola crayon box!


We rejected the notion that $500 shoes (vegan or not) should be coveted when you can get adorable shoes for free.

Cuteness times two! I adore ballet flats. Sadly not my size.


We added jewelery, bags, scarves and other accessories.

That way, every shape and size could find something. Beauty comes in all forms.

A sampling of the offerings. The center and right necklace went home with me.


We included unwanted holiday gifts.

Anything from candles and body lotions to pre-packaged food items. My swap co-organizer claimed a Philosophy lotion set before I even brought it there. A closet shoe organizer was scooped up as it was being unpacked, as were two bags of Dunkin Donuts coffee. I'll be drinking this French vanilla blend in the mornings.


We gained, but we let go.

My other take-aways: a blue Banana Republic sweater (perfect for the office), an embroidered Forever 21 top, and my favorite, a gorgeous jewel-toned green dress.


Among the things I put into the universe, a black BCBG dress. I spent $100 on it at a department store when I used to have the mentality that I worked hard for my money and should "treat myself." I now realize I work hard for my money and should be wiser with how I spend it. Why spend large sums when I can acquire things for free at swaps or for minimal amounts at consignment and thrift shops?

The BCBG dress was one of those things I thought I should have in my closet, perfect for a romantic night out, and when a romantic night would arrive, I would never reach for that dress. I just didn't feel comfortable in it. That green dress, I will eagerly reach for. I think it was my reward for finally saying good-bye to the other one.

We promoted clothes as being reusable, not disposable or to be forgotten.

Last year's boyfriend jeans are now out, Good Morning America tells us, and motorcycle jeans are in. Out: green nail polish (how was that ever in?), in: gray nail polish. The list goes on and on. Who dictates these things, and why don't we want to embrace our individuality? Another "out" is green products, and "in" is green lifestyles. Well wouldn't living a green lifestyle mean not being such a mass consumer and believing in "trends" in the first place?

Nearly 40 women vowed to go without buying clothing for a year, Angela at My Year Without Spending blogged about. Read about "The Great American Apparel Diet."

We pondered at the end why so many didn't stop by to peruse the offerings.

What woman wouldn't want to look at free clothes, jewelry and bags, no strings attached? Some clothes still had tags on them, and most were in perfect condition. I'll never understand why second hand items have such a stigma, but racking up credit card debt and living beyond our means does not.

Think your new department store clothes are clean? Think again, according to this disturbing Good Morning America piece, which sent items from discount, mid-level and high-end stores for testing.

Become a swapper.

Swap kids' clothes with your PTA group. Women's clothes with your friends or co-workers. Donate the leftovers to charity. Swap books at work. Let's decide that permanently "in" are the notions of reuse, reduced consumption and financial empowerment.

Finding My Inner Molly

What does jewel tones, gold, leather, biker jackets, and the color red have in common? They are among the latest "must haves" for fall, according to various news clips I've seen. Even in hard economic times, women are still being told to keep spending hard-earned money on unneeded items. The fashion reporters will even say you don't have to spend a lot, only $100 (a lot in my book), since this will be "out" next year. To this, I'll borrow a line from Alicia Silverstone's Cher in Clueless: "as if!"

I've never bought into this bewildering notion of being "on trend." Why would you want to look like everyone else? I say embrace your sense of style and own it.

I'm a child of the 80s, and I even remember being baffled in school by everyone wearing Wigwam socks (remember those?) in rainbow colors, Keds and their jeans rolled up. How dull to be a carbon copy. My style icon of that decade: Molly Ringwald's Andie in Pretty in Pink, who looked completely amazing on a dime. She even rocked an eco-friendly prom dress, reinventing her friend's old dress into an entirely new look. I've almost forgiven her for not picking Duckie at the end. Almost. I still have a crush on Jon Cryer. But I digress.

Molly's Andie can still inspire us to look fabulous without spending a lot of (or any) money. Thrift store shopping and clothing swaps are great for this, and are my main source of "new" clothes.

At our latest swap, my two co-workers and I provided a few light refreshments, including Trader Joe's spiced cider (tasty cold or served heated), and maple cookies.

Perfumes, bags and accessories are good to include, so all sizes can find something. The giver of the Victoria's Secret perfume set received it last Christmas and had barely touched it. The recipient, my co-worker who was giving it to her teenage daughter, was thrilled to get it.

Some clothes still had tags on them, and two pairs of shoes were never worn.

So many clothes! I donated a dress (not pictured) I spent $100 on at a high-end consignment shop, which my co-worker was happy to receive. No more fashion 'splurges' for me. I've also saved a small fortune cutting out manicures/pedicures, going back to my natural hair color instead of dying it, cancelling my gym membership and going from $55 cuts at a fancy salon to $15 cuts at Supercuts.

Our leftovers went to the Salvation Army in Chelsea and the C.A.T.S. Resale Shop in Westwood, NJ. As you change your closet over to your fall/winter items, remember to keep season in mind if you donate them. If you're not shopping for tank tops and flip-flops at your local Salvation Army or other thrift shop, chances are someone else isn't either. Keep it in storage until the appropriate season arrives.

Andie, you are still an inspiration! And Duckie, you are still dreamy. I would have picked you! Blaine does sound like an appliance.

Psychedelic Furs |MTV Music

This Season's Must-Have Item: Financial Security

Frugalista. I've heard the term before (think frugal-minded fashionista). But it's now made it into a major ad campaign for Target.

As one reality New Jersey housewife might say, "Love, love, love!"

So you want to be an eco-frugalista? Me too. But I refuse to be seduced by ads hawking over-priced "green" fashion. Picture a model in an expensive bamboo frock shopping at her local CSA or basking in a field.

Did you know the FTC issued a consumer alert on bamboo fabrics? It states..."that the soft "bamboo" fabrics on the market today are rayon. They are made using toxic chemicals in a process that releases pollutants into the air. Extracting bamboo fibers is expensive and time-consuming, and textiles made just from bamboo fiber don't feel silky smooth." Read the full alert. Green UPGRADER takes a further look.

With Fashion Week in the news, we're also being lured to replace our perfectly good items, and hearing about "must-have" fashion pieces for the fall and winter, including on eco-sites. Is anything a "must-have" in this economy, short of food, shelter and medical care? Must-have's for me for this season and beyond are financial security and no credit card debt. Besides, I want to have my own sense of style. Who wants to be a carbon copy?

I see a lot of comments on sites about how hard it is to be green on a budget when they see ads selling all this high-priced fashion, which saddens me. Being green for me means being satisfied with living with a little less, finding creative ways to use what I have, and seeking out items already-produced, which are often a fraction of the cost and sometime even free.

Wallet Pop follows the swap excitement too.

Find fellow swappers online by searching for clothing swaps on Meetup.com.

Swapping isn't just for clothes, MSNBC noted. Trade old CDs, books and video games on the web at Swaptree.com and Paperbackswap.com. A parent? Trade your children's clothing, nursery furniture and more at Totsswapshop.com.

What does our swap look like? Here's a peek at our invite if you want to set one up at lunch-time at your workplace...

Looking for a stylish sweater to go apple picking? A warm scarf and hat to keep you cozy on those chilly nights? A new coat you can wear while sipping hot cocoa? Come find it at our fall-winter clothing swap! Leave your credit cards at home: It's all for free!

What are we swapping this time? Items of the season.

Clothes: coats/jackets, sweaters, shirts, jeans, pants, skirts, and dresses. All sizes desired. Beauty comes in all sizes!
Shoes: new or gently worn, only, please
Accessories: scarves, hats, gloves, jewelry, handbags, sunglasses, belts, and umbrellas
Unwanted gift items: picture frames, candles, and unused beauty products, etc.

At our last swap, some of the stylish pickings included a Betsey Johnson dress, Stuart Weitzman sandals, and a Coach handbag. Many major brands were represented, including Arden B., H&M, and The Limited.

We'll be donating the leftovers to the C.A.T.S. Resale Shop in Westwood, NJ, where the proceeds of items sold go to benefit homeless cats and dogs. Some items may be brought to the Salvation Army in Chelsea as well.

So after your slice of free pizza, come find a new look for free. You don’t have to donate to participate...all are welcome. Seasonal goodies will be offered as well. After all, "shopping" does work up an appetite!

That's it! We provide a few light refreshments, booked it on the day of our free pizza luncheons, and people will be giving their clothes a second life.

As stated, beauty does come in all sizes. But if all sizes don't participate, do add beauty products, handbags, accessories and more so there's something for everyone. We always have plenty leftover, which means more for the charity shop.

Don't want to swap, and want to make some extra money from your unwanted items? MSNBC tells you how, including selling through consignment shops, where you will often get a 50-50 take of items sold. Find a consignment shop, or search for them by category on YellowPages.com.

Living the Good Life on My Own Terms

Part of living the good life to me is about financial empowerment. We are trained by marketers to believe we are 'treating ourselves' if we spend a high sum of money on an article of clothing or shoes, or even a haircut.

I once thought like that too. I've thankfully evolved to a point where I'd rather 'treat myself' to a sense of financial security, which includes saving to invest in a home and for children I hope to have one day, and having a sense of contentment of paying my bills in full without having to panic about what day exactly is payday.

Living with less has proven satisfying. It's fun and creative to find ways I can extend pieces in my closet throughout the year, such as wearing a long-sleeved shirt in the fall under a cute top I might wear in the summer. I am no longer impressed by women in my office who wear a different outfit almost every day of the month, and envy the women who can reinvent one dress into several different looks.

"We don't have to have more in order to be more," wisely observes Debra Ollivier in Entre Nous: A Woman's Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl. Well-put!

Moreover, she tells us the French girl "does not confuse commerce with culture and the narrative in her life does not come from what she buys or sees on TV." We are inundated with images of a high-priced version of the vegan good life on many eco-sites hawking various products. But aren't $200 vegan shoes, $500 vegan coats, and $150 bamboo dresses a bit out of touch in a recession? This is just inaccessible to the masses. And how eco-friendly are some of these fabrics being touted anyway? There's some debate about how green bamboo fabric is.

What's wrong with using something you already own, even if it's non-vegan? I did donate some non-vegan items in my wardrobe when I first made the switch to veganism, but still have a few things I still use. And why not? If someone called me on it, I'd tell them the truth. I abhor waste, both environmental and financial, and will make more informed decisions next time. My life is not a glossy ad campaign.

I once spent $55 on haircuts at a local salon. I now spend $15 at Supercuts (skipping the shampoo and styling to save money). Goodbye $500-a-year gym membership. I now walk on the sidewalk or local high school track and use my pilates mat and lightweights, all for free. Thrift store shopping is now my primary source when I do shop for something, but even more frugal: clothing swaps.

Even the head of my company is a swapper! They have such a large extended family, that the kids exchange clothes, and he's barely had to buy anything. As Rachael Ray would say, "how cool is that!?"

I, along with two budget-savvy, waste-hating friends and co-workers held another clothing swap. We offered treats from budget-friendly Trader Joe's, including strawberry lemonade, olive hummus with pita crackers, and maple cookies. Thank you, reception desk flowers!

Among other items, I donated my adorable vintage-inspired pink Betsy Johnson dress, which no longer fits (darn you, soy ice cream!) It found a very grateful new owner.

Lace-trimmed, stylish H&M top: $0. Purple cotton Limited shirt, perfect for the office: $0. The satisfaction of acquiring clothes for no money, giving my unwanted items a second life, and using things already-produced instead of buying high priced 'eco-fashion': priceless. No bill will arrive in 2-4 weeks, either.

No it wasn't all vegan, but many of these items, sitting in people's closets unused, got a new home, including a very pricey Coach bag.

Most of the leftovers went to the This-N-That Thrift Shop, on 309 Broadway, Hillsdale, NJ. This shop donates to various charities, and we chose to have our items marked to benefit Shelter Our Sisters, an organization that services victims of domestic abuse.

The shop is holding a bag sale in late August (fill an entire brown shopping bag for just $8). When it's time to switch seasons, they'll donate what is unsold to a church in Paterson. Those unemployed (far too many in this economy) can go in a get an outfit for free with proof of unemployment. I believe shops like this, that provide such a wonderful service to the community, should be in every town.

Fashionistas everywhere are going green, and saving green, by swapping clothes, shoes and bags. Take a look...

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Check out the full story.

Clothing Swaps: "Green Before Green Was Popular"

Friday was payday in my office, which means the usual: even in a recession, many of my co-workers immediately think about all the things they are going to 'treat' themselves to at the mall. Even before the check arrived, it was already spent.

Meanwhile, on alleged eco-minded web sites, there doesn't seem to be any calls for living a more modest lifestyle and less consumption. Praises are sung for anything labeled 'vegan,' 'organic' or 'sustainable,' with little questioning of issues like air miles, labor practices, and the fact that their production is still taking a toll on the Earth. They seem determined to shop their way to a better planet.

Frankly, I think the vegan wool is being pulled over our eyes.

While shopping at a garage sale or thrift store or participating in a clothing swap doesn't have slick marketing lingo to it, it really is the best option whenever possible for the animals, the planet, and our wallets. Why buy new, when there are already so many already-produced items on the market?

With that, I share with you this inspiring piece on NBC News about the growing popularity of clothing swaps. While the focus was mainly on people being economically resourceful, this is also environmentally resourceful.

"It's green before green was popular," one clothing swap organizer wisely observed.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Organize a swap of your own. It's easy. Flashback to the swap I helped organize at work. My friends and co-workers are looking forward to putting together our next swap in July, and hope to give a new life to unwanted clothes, accessories (bags, sunglasses, jewelry, etc.) and beauty products. Best yet, no credit card bill will arrive for our finds.