Sustainability is Trending. Here’s How to Dress Green in Santa Barbara
By Jordan Volz
Sustainable fashion and thrifting are on the rise. Rising temperatures, waste, pollution, and overconsumption are many concerns pushing our planet to the brink. But environmentalism aside, rising costs and inflation are encouraging many to buy second-hand. Everyone can become sustainable… starting by shopping for sustainable clothes.
One option to start your sustainable journey is going to the thrift store! Santa Barbara has some popular options for thrifting, including Goodwill, Savers, and Alpha Thrift. For thrift newcomers, the apparently messy and overfilled stores can be a lot, yet I found it worthwhile to do some digging. It’s important to look through every hanger for those hidden gems. My favorite things to thrift are baby tees (often found in the kids section), shorts/jorts, skirts, and trinkets. The Goodwill bins in Oxnard are also a great place to find inexpensive gems. Thrifting is an incredible way to find unique options that express your personal style… just like vintage market finds, and it’s very affordable.
Santa Barbara vintage markets are also very popular and filled with good clothes, shoes, and doodads. Baad Sunday is a popular monthly market in the EOS lounge, a nightclub in Santa Barbara. There you will find tons of curated brands including Y2K fashion, Aeropostale, Hollister, Miss Me, Abercrombie, and more. Another vintage market in Isla Vista, called Thriftopia, has similar clothes you would find at other Y2K vintage markets.
Upcycling the clothes you already have is also a great way to wear clothes that you like, while also being conscious of the clothes you are consuming. There are ways to take old shirts and turn them into something new by cutting them, handsewing, or even learning how to use a machine. There are many simple tutorials found online that can turn shirts, fabric, and materials that you already have into something completely new. It is also a fun project to dedicate your time to. By customizing your own clothes, you are also able to create your own vision of what you really like.
Shopping sustainably and upcycling your clothes not only helps the environment, but also elevates your style and lets you express individuality. These intentional ways of finding clothes are great to do on the weekend with friends, family, or solo. Thrifting and upcycling helped me find my style; I now rarely buy new clothes. So next time you see a shirt on TikTok or the latest viral fashion trend, think about where you can find it—while being conscious of our planet.
