Fashion trends are fickle creatures, don’t you think?
What’s hot and what’s not changes all the time — skinny jeans, bodycon dresses, monochrome looks, puff sleeves, and now, the early 2000s style rerun, all in a decade. It’s all so dreadfully boring joining a trend and waking up the next day to see it’s already out of style.
Thankfully, there’s been a shift towards sustainable fashion that is here to stay. Cut short are the days of fast fashion as more and more of the youth grow conscious of how their shopping habits and Outfits of the Day (OOTDs) cause major major environmental damages, such as water & microfiber pollution, soil degradation, and rain forest destruction, among others. Talk about being cute and conscious. Now that’s fetch!
Unlike fetch, however, sustainable fashion is totally happening. Sustainable, local, and ethical fashion is making a mark all over the world. In the Philippines, brands that are deeply-rooted in minimizing the industry’s negative impacts are slowly starting to change the narrative around fashion.
Of course, one of the few and most budget-friendly ways for students to cut back on the perils of fast fashion is to simply buy less or to shop in thrift stores or ukay-ukay — but because we’re in a pandemic, shopping outside isn’t an option.
We feel your frustrations, so we collated a list of online shops where you can get repurposed and recycled clothes and accessories, all handmade by its crafters with a dignified purpose. The next time you think about buying clothes in department stores or boutiques, try to scroll through these shops first. Scoring unique pieces and at the same time helping our environment? Win-win!
SANINA
A young aspiring fashion designer took a leap of faith and chased her dreams, giving birth to Sanina, a Cebu-based Instagram shop that sells upcycled and repurposed pieces made up of old clothes and textiles.
Through this, she is continuously improving her skills in creating classy, chic, pre-made sustainable pieces with prices that vary depending on its design and specifications. But one thing’s for sure, all of Sanina’s tops will surely make people stop and stare!
ARIA
Aria, a slow-fashion social enterprise created by women in Siargao, sells handwoven bags and accessories that are 100% natural and 100% biodegradable. Aria isn’t only a sustainable brand; it also believes in fair wages, mindful consumption, and creating opportunities for women. During the process of creating their products, the owners and designers see to it that each product they create is on par with customer standards.
RILOOKSVENDAGE
Thrifting can be very exhausting and most of the time uncomfortable. But worry no more, sis! Thrifting can now be easily done virtually all thanks to Godsent Instagram resellers.
Rilooksvendage, is an Instagram shop where you can score reworked and handpicked pieces that will help you achieve your y2k fashion dreams! Risalyn Posadas Lubas, the owner and designer, is all for ethical and sustainable fashion. She creates one-of-a-kind pieces that can effortlessly be incorporated into your day-to-day outfits and even dressed up for fancier occasions! Prices range from Php 90-450 or up to how much the customer is willing to bid for the item.
Pro-tip: check their shop, and cop cute items ASAP!
BY THE OCEANE
Creating chic pieces while minimizing the adverse effects brought about by the fashion industry should be every brand’s utmost priority. According to Jayvie Calderon, the owner of By the Oceańe, though change can only be achieved through the collective effort of the people, small efforts within the community can create a ripple effect that will soon make a big difference in the industry.
By the Oceańe is an online clothing store that breathes new life into vintage pieces by reworking them in a chic and modern way for people to see and admire. Tops? Dresses? Matching sets? This store has it all! Pinky promise! Despite the variety and god-tier quality of the pieces, it only retails for Php 200-600, fit for fashionistas on a budget!
TRINK AND CRAFTS
Sometimes an outfit still feels bare, no matter how much effort one puts into it. One of the many ways to elevate your style and individuality is to choose the right accessories to go with it! Trinks and Crafts is an Instagram shop that sells beautifully handcrafted earrings that are made of crochet yarns that will surely enhance one’s feminine side. Prices range from Php 80-150. Ditch the tacky accessories and switch to unique and sustainable ones!
Wear clothes that matter
Consumer demand can revolutionize the way fashion works as an industry. If each one of us tries to slowly reduce our fashion footprint in our own little ways, we would collectively make a big impact in saving our environment.
Being fashionable doesn’t always have to be expensive and destructive. As Livia Firth, Founder and Creative Director of Eco-Age said, “become an active citizen through your wardrobe.”
I freaking love the aeshteitc of this entire article. It's nice to know that there are some fashion shops that have sustainable AND with student-friendly prices too! Never thought it would be possible honestly. Great job, Catrina!
So proud of my girl Catrina and to the rest of the team!
wow great read! i like how you pointed out that even our sense of fashion, however 'trivial' (i say this bc its only recently that i learned that there's more to fashion that should be taken seriously), apparently may have an impact on our environment, a fact unbeknownst to a lot but those that do know are seeking ways to do something about it justified by the amount of local shops you've endorsed in this article, smthn i especially love abt ur article too because local shops deserve the promotion it needs for their humble beginnings and noble causes. that not only provides hip and chic clothing (resembling and may even top pieces from high end fashion hihi) but one…
Congratulations on your first article, Cat! Love it 💙
I LOVE IT SO MUCH Catrina!! 😍✨ Congrats on your first article!! Congrats also to us, Ipadayag peeps yaaaay 🥳🎉✨💙