April is Earth month, but being conscious of the environment and communing with Mother Nature is always on trend. But don’t feel like you have to turn your life upside down to be eco-chic. We talked to some of our favorite eco-savvy bloggers to get some tips you can easily integrate into your current life.
1. Recycle clothing
“Whether you’re recreating, donating or selling, giving clothing new life is one of the easiest things you can do.” — Megan Zietz, fashion blogger at TfDiaries.com
2. Thrift shop
Thrift shopping is a great way to be eco-chic. Unlike the thrift stores of years ago, today’s secondhand shops are more organized and fashionable. Besides scoring affordable fashion, this is a great way to take someone’s cast-offs and make them new-to-you threads. Instead of perfectly good clothes and accessories being dumped in the trash, they now have a new home in someone’s closet. It’s a win-win for your wallet and the environment! — Patrice J. Williams, affordable style expert and editor of Looking Fly on a Dime.
3. Read tags
When you are buying new, opt for recycled fabrics and materials, such as recycled silks, cottons and yes, even polyesters. Think H&M Conscious Collection for budget-friendly options. — Zietz
4. Plan a swap party
This season I’m all about hosting clothing swaps with friends. Every woman should bring a bag of clothes and a drink or food. It’s the perfect combination of mixing drinks with friends and a little shopping in the privacy of your home. What’s old in your closet can now be a new, re-imagined piece for your girlfriend. A few bottles of wine, snacks and racks of clothes make for a good time and everyone can leave with “new” threads for the season. — Williams
5. Restyle or DIY
Reuse/re-purpose your old clothes in new ways (Pinterest is the go-to place for ideas!) — Chrissy Donnelly, beauty blogger of CrashBeauty.com
6. Check ingredients
Look for natural products that disclose their full ingredient list, not just key ingredients. — Todra Payne, founder of HealthyBeautyProject.com
7. Do a little digging
Research a beauty product before purchasing. You’ll learn what you’re potentially putting in or on your body and this will keep you from making too many on-a-whim purchases and reducing your carbon footprint by not excessively purchasing. — Donnelly
8. Shop the source
For the freshest products, order from natural companies that make small batches of products. These are normally found on the Internet or at small natural markets, not at the mall. — Payne
9. Factor in packaging
Minimize your carbon footprint by purchasing your everyday products in larger packaging per quantity (or ones that use less packaging); just remember to continue using the same amount of product. — Donnelly
10. Avoid parabens & sulfates
Check labels when buying makeup. Skip out on Parabens and Sulfates, they’re hard on your skin/hair and the environment. Try making your own natural face powder (love this, recipe here). — Zietz
11. Opt for a beauty DIY
Use items you can find in your kitchen to pamper your skin with DIY scrubs and facials. — Donnelly
Keep your hair fresh longer and skip buying aerosols by making your own dry shampoo. Combine cornstarch and baking soda (1/4 C + 1 tbsp) for light hair and add cinnamon or cocoa to the mix for darker hues (1 tsp). Sprinkle on, and voila! — Zietz
