Conscious Fashion with Celebrity Stylist Lindsay Flores

There are myriad factors impacting the evolution of fashion trends. 2020 and the pandemic saw more time spent at home, calling for comfy essentials to slip in and out of leisurely. Social trends impact shopping choices, too, like the call for sustainable options in the name of environmentalism. This has meant moving away from fast fashion’s endless consumption cycle, reducing the sheer quantity of purchases and waste while extending garment life cycles. Buying less also reduces demand, signaling brands to reduce their frenzied pace of production, decreasing the amount of waste, carbon emissions, and stress placed on Mother Earth. 

There’s another piece of this puzzle to consider: the human desire to look and feel good, to feel at peace in the clothing used to adorn our bodies. A new piece of clothing can be fun or used to memorialize special occasions. In addition, new clothes can bring much-needed joy when working from home, leaving the day-to-day feeling stale. “It is okay to indulge — and still be mindful — when you are craving a new piece or a new vibe,” Flores assures us.

We believe in the power of balance and that daily decisions accumulate to make a large impact. While tossing around the concept of conscious fashion consumption, we thought of none other than our own Lindsay Flores. Style Director at rē•spin and Halle’s fashion stylist for over 25 years, her aesthetic is equally elevated and approachable. 

One of the most exciting indulgences can be purchasing an on-trend piece you’ve lusted after… but the disappointment that follows (when the trend becomes overplayed) can lead you to toss that piece aside far before it is worn out. Leaning into our curiosity about engaging in conscious fashion consumption, we asked Flores how to indulge in trends while maintaining a timeless and classic look that won’t be cast aside prematurely. “Trends are cyclical,” she explains. “So, acquire key pieces that stand the test of time so they can always be circulated back into all the phases of fashion. [You can also] Invest in quality pieces [that will last long into the future without needing to be replaced].”

Another way to make purchases that will adhere to your true, long-lasting aesthetic is to spend more time identifying and visualizing your desired style. You can create a mood board on Pinterest and scroll through Instagram, saving posts of styles you love, both vintage and modern. It also helps to keep photos for reference of how certain styles are worn throughout the years for inspiration. It is normal to find that key staples in your wardrobe are recycled and rē-worn regularly over the years. For instance, Lindsay’s are her vintage concert tees, boho flea market caftan dresses, and high-top Converse sneakers. Identifying your staples can help you narrow down when it is time to purchase something new and whether that new item is likely to stay in your wardrobe for the long haul.

Lastly, investing in quality pieces is key — pieces made to stand the test of time, not made to be disposable and replaced. To help point you in the direction of garments worth adding to your wardrobes, Lindsay shares that “craftsmanship, quality of the fabric, and timeless fit” are the top three things to look for in a new piece of clothing. Even if you are shopping online, you can still check the fabric content, read customer reviews, and look into the brand’s sourcing, supply chain, sustainability initiatives, and manufacturing methods. “Go with your instincts, do your research, and try to support businesses with a positive ethos and bring quality products to the market in socially responsible ways,” Flores adds.

You can also take steps at home to extend your garments’ lifestyle and give your look a rē-fresh. “At least once a year, look at your closet to see how you can tailor, dye, edit, or rē-design something to have a new perspective on it,” Flores suggests. If you find items that you’re ready to part with at this yearly inventory-taking, pass it on to a friend or donate it to your local shelter to ensure it does not end up in a landfill. 

As you can see, conscious consumption doesn’t have to be an expensive venture that requires a total lifestyle rē-vamp. These manageable tips can make a lot of good for you, your signature style, and the earth.