Go Green is Everyone's Color!

When I meet someone new and share that I am a personal color analyst, they usually assume that I am really into fashion.  While I enjoy shopping and love creating outfits in my colors and style, the biggest motivator for me in learning my own colors and starting a personal color analysis business was to simplify and to help others to do the same. Before I knew what colors worked for me, I was constantly buying more clothing in order to fill a void I did not realize I had.   I felt overwhelmed by the waste in my closet and in my wallet from purchasing things that did not work for me.  I felt wasteful and unfocused and never felt confident getting dressed.

The fashion industry has a disastrous impact on the environment. In fact, it is the second largest polluter in the world, after the oil industry. And the environmental damage is increasing as the industry grows.  Clothing has become disposable. As a result, we generate more and more textile waste. A family in the western world throws away an average of 66 lbs of clothing each year. Only 15% is recycled or donated, and the rest goes directly to the landfill or is incinerated.  (To learn more how fashion trends, production materials, manufacturing methods and policies affect our environment check out Sustain Your Style).

My clients tell me they have closets full of clothing but nothing they feel like wearing.  They keep buying to find things that work with clothes they do not like that much anyway.  Most of us have at least a few items that are comfortable, fit well, look flattering and we enjoy wearing.  They get worn repeatedly.  Imagine the impact on your life and the environment if everything in your closet was one of those!   Consider a capsule wardrobe or eco wardrobe that consists of classic clothing items that you can wear interchangeably to create versatile looks with just a few key pieces.

Purchasing colors and styles that work means less waste, less money spent, less need for more, more, more! Having a closet in color harmony allows you to create infinite number of outfits and looks with far fewer pieces.  The likelihood that you will be happier wearing them is increased and the need to buy more is reduced. 

Shopping our own closets is a great way to start! I am always amazed to hear that once someone knows their colors and their style, they often find things in their closets that really work well together.  And nothing is more freeing than letting go of something that doesn’t work.  Psychologically it is easier for us to let go of something when we know it will be a better fit for someone else. 

Fortunately second hand shopping has become a mainstay and nearly every town has a consignment boutique or a charitable resale store.  At Indigo Tones, I offer new and gently worn clothing in all colors and styles categorized by season. It feels great to know that I am reducing waste while helping someone find the right look!  I love that we can Go Green every time we step in the closet!   Regardless of your season, GREEN is EVERYONE’S COLOR!