Sustainable Fashion

Its good to be back!

I am adapting and evolving along with the world and will continue to provide in-person, (COVID-protected) Virtual Consulting and Coaching to my clients. I am very excited to share my newest blog on Sustainable Fashion; Consignment, Vintage & Thrift shopping.

A new perspective on dressing for home life, work, and play.

When we support the circular fashion economy, we support the environment. Looks created by Moi from various consignment, vintage, and thrift.

Whether your interests are with contemporary, high-end designers or eclectic finds from the 1920’s through the 1970’s, you can find a bounty of hidden treasures in our City by the Bay. San Francisco has an extraordinary number of both vintage and consignment stores. They carry timeless and one-of-a-kind finds at a fraction of the cost. Sustainable fashion has become a part of life and, for some, a way of life. Thrifting, upcycling, buying local, renting, and conscious buying allow us to have a positive impact on the world.

The excitement of my first Pucci score at a consignment shop developed my own aesthetic at an early age. I love the excitement when I’m wandering through one of these favorite stores never knowing when I might come across a joyous find or a hidden gem. 

What’s also important when you enhance your wardrobe in this way is understanding how to care for these treasures. That’s so important to me because I want to share these wonderful finds with my daughter. That involves some practical steps, which are included in a link below. 

Editing and purging your wardrobe is a necessity, and minimalism is very much a part of sustainability. I believe it is our duty to make a difference in any way we can for our beautiful planet and those habits can be a natural part of our lives. If you, like me, want to be a conscious consumer and have a more minimalist closet too, make it a habit not only to shop at these stores but to resell and donate clothing to them that is not purposeful for you in your wardrobe. 

I will guide you through the world of vintage and consignment to create a sustainable wardrobe while elevating your own distinct and personal style. 

Here are various links to my top consignment and vintage/thrift stores in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. Enjoy the hunt!

“You can have anything in life if you just dress for it.”  —Edith Head   

Shea English

Personal Styling + Wardrobe Consultant

SF-based consignment stores:

https://www.crisconsignment.com/

Home

High-end Couture consignment stores:

https://suigenerisconsignment.com/

https://andreaalexavintage.com

Thrift stores:

http://www.shopwasteland.com/

Online Consignment stores:

https://www.therealreal.com

https://www.1stdibs.com

And for decluttering and minimizing:

Balancesf.com

Mining For Gold: How to Shop for Used Clothes

Often when we think about thrift and consignment shopping, we imagine a broke college student trolling racks of other peoples’ cast-offs, seeking out cheeky tees and vintage jeans. But secondhand stores have much to offer for the discerning shopper, if you know where to look. San Francisco is teeming with shops that carry luxury brands, vintage classics, and designer labels, allowing you to enhance your wardrobe locally at a fraction of the cost of new items.

Vintage boutiques are a great source for timeless, high-quality pieces. When shopping for vintage clothing, consider the following

• Style: Is this a classic with longevity, or is it very particular to its time? Butterfly collars and bell bottoms were all the rage in the 70s, but will look like a funky costume in today’s world!

• Fit: Are the sleeves too long? Does the overall cut suit your body type? As with any garment off the rack, some alterations can be made, but seam allowances and garment construction will determine how much can be done to improve the fit. Waistlines, hems, and sleeve length are easiest. Stores may have an in-house alterations department so it’s always good to ask.

• Condition: High-end vintage stores tend to exclusively sell items in excellent condition, but a careful examination is always a good idea. Check for unpleasant odors, uneven fading, moth holes, missing buttons & other fasteners, loose stitching, stains, excessive pilling, or elastic that’s lost its stretch. Certain things can be repaired by a specialist, but like any used purchase, buyer beware!

Another great source for used clothing is a consignment shop. These employ teams of buyers with extensive knowledge of brands and labels, who screen used merchandise for value and salability. If your interest is in contemporary high-end designer and luxury clothing, you can find many treasures for a fraction of the price. As with vintage clothing, always inspect garments carefully before purchasing.

If you want to know more, we have experienced staff who can guide you through the world of vintage and consignment shopping with personal consultations, to help you find the perfect pieces to incorporate into your wardrobe.

-Shea English and Michelle Leigh

Resources:

Cris Consignment
2056 Polk St
(415) 474-1191
crisconsignment.com

Crossroads Clothing
Multiple Locations throughout the Bay Area
(415) 681-0100
www.crossroadstrading.com

Relic Vintage
1605 Haight St.
(415) 255-7460
www.relicvintagesf.com

Sui Generis Consignment
suigenerisconsignment.com

• Men’s Store
  2231 Market St.
  (415) 437-2231

• Women’s Store
  2147 Union St
  (415) 800-7584

Wasteland
1660 Haight St.
Phone: (415) 863-3150shopwasteland.com

Traveling In Style

Figuring out what to pack for any vacation can be a stressful chore, primarily because there are so many different elements to consider: weather, culture, versatility, what your plans are, and the size of your luggage.  Packing clothing pieces in complimentary color and style schemes will make your to-go wardrobe stretch farther and last longer. And keep in mind you’ll likely be layering for those long days that can include all sorts of varied activities from traveling to touring, swimming to shopping, or dancing to dining.

Comfy jeans are the best staple to bring on any trip. They travel well for car, bus or taxi jaunts, and work for both impromptu adventures and hikes, or long days of sightseeing. I suggest “boyfriend” jeans as a better option over skinny jeans. They are comfortable yet stylish without being baggy. If you have a flight longer than five hours, I definitely would suggest wearing leggings. They are the ultimate in comfort, non-constricting AND can be used for more athletic activities; or emergency warmth, if needed, under dresses and skirts.

A stylish going-out look would be a simple, statement jumpsuit or romper. They are perfect to dress up or down, look great with sneakers and heels, and are suitable for any climate/culture. The clever traveller can make a jumpsuit go from a casual day look to a dressier night look with the right accessories and shoes.

And speaking of shoes, this is often the most space consuming and hardest part of a travel wardrobe to figure out. If space dictates that you are limited to only two pairs of shoes, opt for a pair of nice, comfortable sneakers and a pair of cute, low heel booties. Either should get you through any fashion look you need. Both are easy to pack and can be dressed up or down for any occasion. Of course, if you have space for more, go with a third pair of shoes that fits your wardrobe and itinerary.

And finally, any accessories you bring should be sturdy and simple so nothing breaks. Two prime accessories are sunglasses and a wrist watch to always keep you on schedule. And a final tip: packing four scarves that mix and match with your color scheme can change the mood and look of all of your outfits in a variety of ways, and take up very little space.

Packing Essentials 101

If you’re like me, you pack way too much for your vacations and business trips, and as you know, the luggage fees are bound to be expensive. On the other hand, you have no idea what to pack because no trip is the same. There are many different factors to think about, such as climate, culture and accessibility.

One key thing to remember is that a Passport can be hard to keep track of, and you’ll want to keep it as secure as your cash and cards. The best way to do this is to get your hands on a passport pouch. These are widely available on the internet, in luggage stores, and many clothing outlets.

A useful high-tech accessory for travel is a small portable charger. These helpful devices will keep your phone and other electronics fully charged throughout your daily adventures. If you find yourself in a foreign country, you should purchase a Universal Power Adapter (available on Amazon, google, etc) so that your power plugs can fit into any type of electrical outlet. Clean water is essential and, in some places, not easily accessible. If you are traveling to a region where this could be an issue, I suggest getting a water bottle with a FDA-tested/approved water filter attachment. These are widely available throughout the internet and at outdoor-gear stores such as REI, but to ensure safety I suggest buying it from a certified retailer or trustworthy website of your choice.

A little research into the traditions and customs of the regions you are visiting can give you further insight on culturally appropriate items to include in your packing list. For example, more conservative countries will require a higher degree of modesty than you might observe while at home, so incorporating the right pieces and accessories into your travel wardrobe will show respect for locals and their traditions. Additionally, learning how to properly interact with those around you can greatly enhance your experiences abroad. As they say, “When in Rome!” This is one of the most important parts of preparing for any trip outside of your home country.

As you can see, there are quite a few essentials to pack that will make your life easier while traveling. With a bit of research and careful planning you’ll have everything you need for a successful trip. On a final note, be careful not to pack too much! A heavy bag makes everything that much more difficult.

Style in Tech

Hiring a wardrobe stylist professional essentially saves money. It’s not about being indulgent; it’s about having a smart, streamlined wardrobe. Most of my clients would rather focus on their businesses and families instead of running around on the weekends putting looks together.

My style confidence process is made of a combination of sessions, both in the wardrobe and shopping for new items, and all packages include a preparation assignment as well as bespoke session planning, pre-shopping research, and follow up advice and links. The time required for each step of the process will depend on existing wardrobe, and their goals.

Many companies invest huge sums of money on their own branding and company image; their mission statement, values, logo, website, even down to the font used in all written communication. But the majority of companies fail to consider the professional presence of their employees and the effect this has on their overall corporate brand message.

This is a huge oversight. Employees are so often the first ‘real’ impression of your company. They are the ones out meeting, selling, pitching and interacting with potential clients and creating the lasting impression of your brand. Don’t you want to make sure they are sending the right message?

One to one sessions

I offer busy senior executives and employees an assessment of their current style, image and executive presence. I give practical information and solutions to enable them to optimize their professional appearance through image assessments, wardrobe and personal shopping sessions.

-Perhaps you are becoming more visible; dating, attending conferences, networking, or pitching for investment and need to work on your personal brand, your overall image and that important first impression.

-You want an authentic wardrobe of clothes that you look forward to choosing from each morning, and want to look ‘put together’ in outfits you feel good in and that show people who you are. You also want to do it quickly and with very little thought.

-You don’t have the time, know-how, or desire to figure out what you like and what you need on your own.

-You know it’s time to hire a professional and gain confidence in your style.