Today feels like a really momentous day for me. It’s the first day I find myself not employed by a company, a first in the entirety of my professional career. I plan to talk more about that in a later post, but because of the optimistic feeling of the day, I thought I’d take the time to flush out another topic that’s been weighing on my mind for a while now. It’s a bit of a hefty and perhaps polarizing topic and I’m sure I won’t be able to even scrape the surface but I’d like to at least start the conversation. The thing is, I often feel a lot of guilt around blogging under the umbrella of sustainability. Not because I occasionally forget my reusable mug or I don’t fit the boho, linen-clad aesthetic. It’s more than that and I think it’s important to acknowledge my many shortcomings in this category, in an attempt to be as honest as possible. So here’s why I’m moving away from labeling myself as a sustainable/ slow-fashion blogger.

Imposter Syndrome & The Pressure To Find Your Niche

In the blogger and influencer world, there’s an emphasis on the importance of finding your niche. And while I don’t want to write that off as some shameless influencer speak (obviously you want people to see what you’re doing), it can put some pressure on people to lean into something that doesn’t feel 100% authentic, or a bit forced at times. It can also mean taking on a label that you don’t fully represent.

Is having a capsule wardrobe enough to call my wardrobe sustainable or to call myself a slow-fashion blogger? I don’t really think so, and yet, I know many people use it as a tool to become more sustainable. So wouldn’t I want to promote myself as such so more people interested in that topic can find me? What’s really at stake in using a hashtag anyways? I don’t really have the answer to these questions but they have made me more aware of how I present myself in this online community, and why I would consider pulling away from certain labels. Then there’s also the added affect of imposter syndrome in this whole scenario. But I’ve come to the conclusion that I can feel passionately about what I’m promoting (more conscious consuming via capsule wardrobes) while still recognizing the contradictions in the way I go about it.

Realness & Authenticity Online

I truly believe that the ability to influence others comes from feeling passionate about sharing what you love, and that goes for sustainability too. I don’t want to becomes someone who talks the talk but doesn’t fully walk the walk. The walk being cutting out all fast fashion and actively working towards a low-waste lifestyle. Of course I want to do those things, but I don’t need to be the loudest person in the room when it comes to that topic because there are people doing a way better job of it than me.

I do however feel passionately about using a capsule wardrobe and pairing down your clothing so you own the best-for-you pieces. On that topic, I’m happy to sound off, especially if it means we adopt more sustainable practices in the process. I suppose one reason for writing this is because I felt there was a lot of mixed messages in how I presented myself online vs. what actions I was actually taking towards sustainability. Yes, I want to promote Everlane as a good introductory sustainable brand (while still becoming more aware of their shortcomings) but I also still buy from and regularly wear Uniqlo (being aware of their non-sustainable & ethical practices). I also still promote products on my platforms, as you’ll see in this post. I’ve thought a lot recently about what it would entail for me to phase out of fast fashion completely and I’m still very conflicted in this. Rather than trying to hide that, I’d like to just put that internal conversation out into the light in the hopes that others can relate.

An Ongoing Learning Process

When I first got into blogging about a year and a half ago, I really wanted to create what I loved to consume. That was, fast fashion-heavy content, like seasonal haul videos and shopping edits galore. But as my monthly spending skyrocketed and my closet became less and less wearable, I very quickly became aware of how completely wasteful that is. When I made the decision to start spending less and shopping more consciously, the focus of my blog naturally changed to one of advice for people trying to do the same. It also made me way more excited about the subject I was blogging about.

My small steps towards sustainability are really the result of the positive influence of some of the incredible bloggers that I was exposed to, some (but not necessarily all) of whom actively make that a priority in their work. I also gain major inspiration from people who have a really strong sense of personal style and who champion fewer-but-better, classic and high quality pieces. This approach inadvertently leads to more sustainable shopping practices. And I think it’s okay to not be 100% influenced by sustainable bloggers alone. We have to find what truly motivates and inspires us to make a change and that will be different for everyone.

Pointing You In The Right Direction

At the end of the day, there are so so many people who are doing an amazing job at promoting sustainability. Rather than to half-heartedly pass myself off as an expert in this category, I’d like to point you in the direction of the people whose work I really admire.

I especially love bloggers who emphasize the way their clothing works for their lives; people like Signe (@useless_dk) and Emily (@emilylightly), who do an amazing job at promote capsule wardrobes and shopping sustainable pieces without making you feel like it’s all or nothing. They also have a more similar personal style to my own so I’m always excited to hear about their brand recommendations.

Some awesome influencers I love include Jazmine (@thatcurlytop) and Gabby (@gabrielasage), who do a great job at having difficult conversations around sustainability and disseminating useful information and resources. Also Charissa (@kalosestyle) who shows that sustainable style doesn’t all look the same, and can really fit your own aesthetic. Dawn (@dressing_dawn) is the host of the #20x20dressing challenge that I’m participating in this year and a capsule wardrobe planning wiz. And I also want to mention Emma (@emmairenecavanaugh), whose honesty about her own capsule wardrobe and fast-fashion struggles really inspired me to write this.

The blogger who introduced me to a capsule wardrobe, and who radiates both practical advice in all areas of life and amazing personal style is Anna (@theannaedit). Sure she’s not a sustainable blogger but without her ‘influence,’ I don’t know that I would have even sought out a more sustainable approach. A couple other fashion bloggers who don’t necessarily focus on sustainability, but whose personal style has been a major inspiration behind my capsule wardrobe, include Brittany Bathgate (@brittanybathgate) and Lizzie Hadfield (@shotfromthestreet).

So if you’ve made it this far, thank you! I really hope that this doesn’t come off as self-depreciating or like I’m looking for someone to pat me on the back and congratulate me. I really just want to be as forthcoming as possible about where I see myself in this blogging community. There will still be shopping edits and non-sustainable products featured, but each one will be considered purchases and things I really use and love. And of course, I am working to feature more secondhand and sustainable options to.

I’d love to know your thoughts, and if any of this has resonated with you. If you have any useful feedback on improvements on this space, I’d love to hear them! As always, thanks for reading! xx Jessica

My Not So Clean Closet: Am I Really A Sustainable Blogger?

Imposter Syndrome & The Pressure To Find Your Niche

Realness & Authenticity Online

An Ongoing Learning Process

Pointing You In The Right Direction

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