Style Buzz: Circular Fashion and Resale + Styling a Floral Scarf

Three Ideas to Inspire Your Style This Week

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

 "What about a headscarf?"

The headscarf is almost as cool as a jeep. Almost.

Such a simple question, but it was inspired! I'd just had my hair cut at Bash Hair Studio and in the summer, I always feel bad because I have to shove a hat on for the ride home in the Jeep, which doesn't have doors or windows and is a tad blustery. One of the lovely staff suggested I try a headscarf because she'd seen two young ladies in a convertible wearing them a few days before. I immediately headed out to find one, scoring this beauty at The Clothes Horse! Sometimes, the best item is something you'd never considered, so keep your ears open for those little suggestions that make a huge difference.

xxx rachel

---

CIRCULAR FASHION

I love that the scarf came from a resale shop and that I am supporting circular fashion.

Have you heard the phrase "circular fashion"? You've likely heard about "sustainable fashion", but it's likely "circular fashion" was used interchangeably with it, but they're actually two completely different things.

Both are important, to say the least, so let's clarify:

"Sustainable" refers to the manufacturing process of a garment. This can include how the raw materials are created and harvested, how they're processed, handled, and turned into a garment that you buy, and what happens after that garment is discarded. The goal of an eco-friendly line is to minimize the environmental impact their products have throughout their full production process, while also looking at fair labor practices and a high standard of ethics.

"Circular" refers to what happens to that garment after production. Is it being passed through many owners, mended, reconfigured, and worn until it can be worn no more before it's discarded? And when it is finally discarded, is it being turned into something else yet again, like a quilt or rags? It goes around and around in its lifetime, reducing the number of new items that need to be created and manufactured.

While you obviously don't have much input in the production and manufacturing of clothes, you can easily reduce the impact they have once they're out in the world. By doing clothing swaps with friends or buying from resale shops like The Clothes Horse, Bumble, Swytch, and Flipside (plus SO many others around town), you give a piece a new home for its next go-around. You probably know what it's like to give away clothing that's in great condition, it's just not right for you anymore, so donating, swapping, or reselling gets those pieces into the hands of someone who will love it as it should be loved. Plus you might find one-off pieces that keep your style unique, not a carbon copy of what's available at the mall.

Here's a comprehensive article from Earth Day about what the industry does and how you can help reduce its impact. I've also got a list of resale locations you can download.

You can probably tell that I'm absolutely delighted with my "new" scarf and very grateful to the person who decided it just wasn't their thing, because it certainly is mine! Also, because I know my color palette needs to be considered when putting a garment near my face, here's the scarf against my color deck. It's a win - I got so lucky!!

---

3 WAYS TO WEAR IT: Floral Scarf

Let's just keep going with the scarf and show off how versatile this one is! It's a 30 inch square and since it's from Liz Claiborne, it's likely a manmade material or silk blend, so it'll wear well and I can wash it (carefully) if it gets grubby. I really love how many colors are in the print - it goes with almost everything I own and adds a nice little surprise to an outfit.

Using it as its intended purpose: a scarf! The colors in the scarf really complement the olive dress, which was found at a resale shop in California.

I've rolled it up and threaded it as a belt, and it's a nice pop of color against jeans and a white button up, which I found at Sip & Seams in April.

Oh, how I love decorating my handbags! This green Kate Spade backpack (also a Sip & Seams find!) is a perfect backdrop to the vibrant colors in the scarf.