The Merging of Sustainable Fashion and Affordability

Thoughts | Vanessa Nardin Kruczaj

Sights | Fatima

From design and wearability to the end of a garment’s lifespan, sustainability and affordability often feel like opposing forces. The movement towards sustainable fashion fosters initiatives towards ecological integrity and social justice in textile manufacturing, clothing production, and the process of distribution to the retail market. As consumers have become the driving force of sustainably conscious brand campaigns, concerns regarding how young people can actively participate arise. Most environmentally friendly companies and non-fast fashion brands are associated with steep price tags unrealistic for the majority of students. While each individual has a different perspective of what affordability means, ensuring accessibility to sustainable products and evaluating how we perceive cost, consumption, and our capacity to spend is critical to change. However, we must also note that whether it be shopping at ethical brands or fast-fashion stores, purchasing excessively from either does not equate to an affordable and sustainable wardrobe. Brands including Able, Tradlands, and Madetrade, rightfully boast about their ethically sourced textiles and mission to help the planet at a lower price point, yet the most arguably accessible and cost-effective way to engage in the industry is by purchasing secondhand. Although purchasing secondhand does not mean you are necessarily buying ethically sourced clothing, the process ensures the longevity of pre-existing clothing and prolongs the time it will take to reach landfills. Keep in mind, the journey to becoming sustainably conscious is never perfect, and the process of perfecting the industry will take time. Being open to transparency, making mistakes and being held accountable, and actively learning is key to understanding issues within the fashion industry. To further understand this process, The Howl reached out to a student at the University of Toronto, Katie Salvador, and discussed her style evolution, journey to becoming more sustainably conscious, and how to participate in the movement on a university student-friendly budget.

Tell us about yourself:

I am a UofT student studying Archeology. I grew up in Coquitlam, British Columbia. It’s a suburb of Vancouver. That’s right, I’m from suburbia. I remember the first thing I noticed was how large Toronto was compared to home, even downtown Vancouver. There’s far less nature here. Back home my backyard was a forest, but I’ve learned to enjoy living in the city. On the weekends, I work at a bakery on College Street, and LOVE Outlander. You need to watch it!

How would you describe your journey with style?

During high school, all I’d wear was leggings and oversized t-shirts. It was so easy to not try. I later realized I really like the ‘90s and mom jeans! They meet function with style. As I started to wear more ‘90s styles, I began thrifting and first year of university, I started shopping at Frank and Oak. I’m currently trying to cultivate a more unconventional style. Now, I’d say my style is a bit more modern.

Have you always been sustainably conscious?

They always talked about it in elementary school. You know, “Reduce, reuse, recycle.” I didn’t consciously translate that into clothes until I started thrifting. Thrifting became a pastime for my friends and I back home when we were bored and wanted new clothes. It’s cheaper and you can find cool pieces. By buying secondhand, you aren’t perpetuating the cycles of larger corporations. I also have a lot of my friends’ clothes, so the cycle of reusing and refurbishing pieces to my own style is present there too. I’m not going to say I have always been and currently am always perfectly sustainable. That’s just not realistic, especially when you are learning and that’s ok.

**When did your love for the brand Frank and Oak start?**

It was during my first week in Toronto. Honestly, being sustainably conscious wasn’t the first aspect that drew me in, their clothes are genuinely cool. It was a happy accident!

Frank and Oak has an extensive array of items on their website and in store. What’s your favourite thing you’ve bought from the brand?

Let’s be real, they are expensive. I’m not going to pretend they aren’t and not acknowledge that [the brand] isn’t necessarily accessible to all. I recognize that not everyone has the option to be sustainable. Sometimes fast fashion is the most accessible option. The last order I made was during their Thanksgiving sale. My favourite thing from that order was a pair of yellow socks, but I left one in Vancouver during reading week. I only wore them once. Also, the crimson coloured crewneck and multi-striped turtleneck, especially paired together. It’s very 70’s.

You’ve said this is your first photoshoot. Tell us about the experience.

It was weird. I barely post on Instagram. Fatima is really cool, so I was comfortable. Putting my head in a freezer was refreshing. Very avant-garde. I’ve already worn the last outfit to a party.

In pursuit to meet sustainability with unconventional style, Katie allowed us the opportunity to photograph her in a euphoric setting, featuring role playing and idyllic lighting, with her sustainably sourced wardrobe of both thrifted and Frank and Oak pieces on full display.