Thank you to Fit Approach and prAna for sponsoring today’s conversation. I received the products mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review.
I am not a minimalist.
You can have your tiny 100 square foot house. I’ll keep my 100 square foot walk-in closet, thank you very much.
Yeah, I know that’s not the popular or “right” thing to say. But I’m just telling the truth. I like my space. I like my clothes. I like my big, obnoxious closet.
But that’s not to say that I embrace mass consumption either. While I admire people with the tenacity to ditch suburbia and embrace simple living, I believe that sustainability isn’t an all-or-nothing concept. Little choices make a difference too.
What I mean is that I can refrain from indulgence, make eco-friendly choices, and be a responsible consumer AND live in the suburbs.
Here’s how:
1. I buy clothes that are made to last. Classic designs. Sturdy materials. Clothing that can withstand lots of washing, staining, and everyday wear & tear. I have to – because I keep my clothes for as long as I can. I quite literally wear some of my clothes until they fall apart. I have 15 year old jeans in my closet, and I still wear them – no lie.
2. I donate everything I can. I don’t keep my clothes forever, though. I try to stick to the “one year rule” – if I haven’t worn it in a year, it’s time for it to go. And everything that goes gets donated.
3. I buy my clothes secondhand whenever possible. Consignment stores are my favorite. And lately I’ve been using a couple of apps to shop consignment/secondhand straight from my phone (bonus: saving gas & protecting the environment by not driving). I also happily accept hand-me-downs (one nice thing about being the size of a 12 year old).
4. I try to buy clothes from companies that value sustainability – brands that create clothes with recycled, organic, or repurposed materials. prAna is one such company, but there are others. (Check out my list of eco-friendly workout clothes.)
I’m particularly fond of prAna because 1) sustainability is of the utmost importance to them; and 2) their clothes are fantastic – the perfect combo of function + fashion (cliche, but so true!). I was fortunate enough to review something from their new line back in the spring – and now I get to do it again with their new fall line.
First, the Kara Jean in Sunwashed Red.
Oh em gee – LOVE.
This is prAna’s best-selling fitted jean, and it’s no wonder. They are incredibly comfortable – soft, stretchy denim that’s made with almost 80% organic cotton. They are low rise but not too low – I can squat and still keep my butt crack nice and hidden, as it’s supposed to be. And I think they’re pretty figure-flattering, too.
They’re not quite as red as my photos show them – check them out on prana.com for a more accurate look at the color. They run pretty true to size. I have a pair of the Kara shorts in the next size up, and while they’re comfortably loose, I was afraid that the bigger waist would ride too low when I bent down.
I also got to try the Devan Henley in Mineral Green.
It’s part henley, part hoodie, which is pretty much the perfect combo.
I love this piece too – although really, what’s not to love? Soft, cozy, and a perfect light top for layering. (Yes, I’m wearing it with shorts. Fall in Florida = 85 instead of 95 degrees.)
This top is a size small – I probably could’ve worn it in an extra-small for a more fitted look, but I like the way it looks as a loose-fitting top too.
So if you love prAna as much as I do, and you like to fill your closet with sustainable new clothing, I have good news for you. Through 10/31/16, you can save 15% on your online prAna purchase with promo code PFS16MRUN.
Happy shopping, my tiny house and big house friends! I love you bigger than my walk-in closet, and that’s pretty big.
Nicci Randall says
Love the message! Also, loving the green sweater!