Hello, everyone! It’s been a hectic month, but I’m excited for the upcoming summer season (Can we all agree we’ve had enough of the rain this month?). To that end, I’ve decided to amp up a mostly monochromatic look with not only statement accessories, but recycled as well. Yes folks, get ready for a green post here – the environmentalist in me is in full force!

With the accessibility of fast fashion, social media influencers in your face everyday telling you the next thing you need, “see now buy now” mentality… the instant gratification of consumption has never been easier. As an influencer, I myself am promoting stylish finds and recent trends, but it’s important to raise awareness of what is unseen and usually forgotten amidst our high from retail therapy: fashion waste.

Consider this: More than 15 million tons of used textile waste is generated each year in the U.S, with 84 percent of it going to either a landfill or an incinerator. Crazy, right?  The good news is, providing one ton of clothing for re-use by giving it to charity or reselling can result in a net greenhouse gas saving of 11 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. Have you seen Stella McCartney’s winter 2017 campaign shot in a landfill?  That’s no joke! How many times do a cheap item from fast-fashion store get worn before they are tossed? While I’ve definitely been a frequent consumer of fast fashion, these days I’m choosing quality over quantity, and donate/recycle as much as possible.  I also shop vintage and consignment quite frequently – not only is it easier on the wallet, but supporting the sustainability of these items, too.  

Many brands are becoming more eco-conscious in their own right (like forerunner Stella McCartney), but it’s up to consumers to keep that movement consistent. Consignment and buying pieces for long-term use (not just to say on top of the latest trends) are other ways we can be sustainable within our fashion goals and style – even renting and upcycling pieces, or swapping parts of your wardrobe with your friends or family, are great ways to stay sustainable.

A new online consignment destination to note is LePrix – which appropriately means “the Prize” in French. The founders, sisters Elise Whang and Emily Dang (previously Snobswap) love treasure hunting, and started a business as the only online destination of over 500 brick-and-mortar consignment boutiques worldwide. In this post I’m using a mostly black outfit as a backdrop for some classic, lasting accessories found on LePrix.

With a uniform color like black, layering adds an element of texture and versatility that you don’t get if, for example, you’re just wearing a plain top and pants in the same color. I chose to wear this Stella McCartney underneath the infamous must-have Balmain blazer (best part about this? The blazer is still currently in stores but you can get it on consignment for fraction of the retail price). I added an Off-White industrial belt for color and a punch of unexpected edginess. The modern, street-wear vibes of the belt plays a nice juxtaposition against vintage Chanel earrings and flap bag, no?

A hint of white completes this look with SJP by Sarah Jessica parker pumps and Fendi sunglasses. They added tonal, sharp details to the ensemble and stood out perfectly against the black. Although I haven’t worn black in a while, an outfit as detailed and personally styled as this could make me revisit all-black in the future – after all, with accessories like these, it’s anything but basic.

Join me to celebrate the launch of LePrix on June 7th!  RSVP here 

OUTFIT DETAILS

Stella McCartney Jumpsuit
Balmain Blazer
Chanel Earrings
Chanel Bag
Off-White Belt
SJP Sarah Jessica Parker Pumps
Fendi Sunglasses