I don't know why it took me so long to realize the convenience and money-saving power of tailoring. Over the past five years-ish, my weight has fluctuated. Not slightly. A lot. Like size 2, to 000, to 4, to 8, to 2. Negative body image will do that to you. Over and over again. With my weight varying so much, shopping has become somewhat of a nightmare. I never really know what size I am, I end up hating most of the things I try on, and when my weight changes again I have to buy new clothes.
When I was cleaning my room the other day I realized I had jeans, skirts, and dresses I had purchased sometime within the past year. Some of these pieces were multiple sizes too big, and not in the cool/oversized/boyfriend-look way. Internally crying at the thought of all the money I had "wasted" on items that no longer fit, as I stuffed them into a donation box, I had an epiphany. I could take all of these items to my local cleaners and have them altered! Not only would I avoid having to buy replacements for these items, but I could also support a local business.
Having one dress, two skirts, and a pair of jeans altered cost me roughly $70 (equivalent to half or three-quarters of a pair of jeans from Madewell). In other words, I am now obsessed with having my clothes altered. This green faux leather skirt I bought at ZARA last winter was one of the items I had taken in, and I am SO thrilled that I now get to wear it. I have a love-hate relationship with ZARA. Do I love that they always stock on-trend pieces, and that their shoes are AMAZING and very affordable? Yes. But as a "fast fashion" company, they contribute huge amounts of pollution to the environment, fail to provide workers with safe conditions, and perpetuate waste and a throw-away society. I figured that the least I can do, if I am choosing to support a fast-fashion company, is to be selective about what I buy, and to recycle those pieces in any way I can.
When I think about it, this look is pretty sustainable. The camel turtleneck I'm wearing here is from Reformation, an LA-based womenswear brand that prides itself in its sustainable practices. If you check out their website, you'll see that on each item page is a breakdown of the environmental impact caused by the production of that piece. Not only does Reformation have a mission statement that I full-heartedly support, but they also happen to make great clothes. This sweater is incredibly cozy, and the perfect camel color. Want something soft and warm to cuddle, but can't deal with a pet? But yourself a fuzzy sweater, instead. Rest assured, I will be wearing mine all Fall and Winter.
I'm heading to New Orleans for Thanksgiving, and I have no idea what I'm going to wear. I would probably wear this outfit to Thanksgiving dinner just because it screams Fall (at least, to me), but I plan on stuffing myself with turkey, mashed potatoes, and pie until I assume a comatose state, so I figure a leather mini skirt isn't the most strategic choice.
There is no doubt, though, that both pieces in this outfit will be coming with me on my trip. After all, it is already almost Thanksgiving, and my days to wear green leather skirts and turtleneck sweaters are probably numbered.
Sunglasses - Ray Ban | Sweater - Reformation (similar here) | Skirt - Zara (similar here) | Shoes - MissGuided