The best-dressed students are making their outfits eco-friendly.
To celebrate April’s Earth Month, this edition of the Street Styles series is all about sustainable fashion!
For some context, your fashion choices have a significant impact on the planet. The fast-fashion industry produces massive carbon emissions and consumes more water and energy than most other industries. On top of that, many brands rely on low-cost materials and labour to keep prices down.
That’s why embracing slow fashion is the way to go! So, it’s time to declutter your fast fashion pieces and build a more sustainable wardrobe.
Check out how some students are incorporating sustainability into their style, plus their best tips for making greener fashion choices.
Jeleica Ballesteros, advertising & graphic design
Jeleica Ballesteros describes her style as classic with a modern twist. She likes to add a pop of colour to each one of her outfits and draws inspiration from 70s fashion catalogs.
She effortlessly blends classy and vintage elements. Just look at how she rocks that long pencil skirt — one of her favourite pieces at the moment.
Most of the clothes Ballesteros wears are second-hand, with Value Village being her go-to spot for long-sleeved blouses. Her tip is if something fits too big, she simply styles it as an oversized piece — genius.
“Around 75 per cent of my clothes are from thrift stores.”
Jeleica Ballesteros.
As a sustainability advocate, she avoids fast fashion brands like Shein and tries to support local businesses. She also shops at stores with stronger sustainability practices, such as Aritzia and Uniqlo.
Paloma Garcia & Mayank Sahay, protection, security and investigation
Friends Paloma Garcia and Mayank Sahay are THE iconic duo. They perfectly embody the streetwear and grunge aesthetic with oversized fits, skull accessories and what Sahay calls a “legendary style.”
“My fashion inspiration comes from within.”
Paloma Garcia.
Garcia is a big fan of thrift stores. She mentions almost her entire wardrobe comes from The Salvation Army and Value Village. She chooses second-hand not only as an environmentally conscious decision but also as a way to find unique pieces.
Sahay, on the other hand, is a resourceful shopper. He hunts for clothes online through dropshipping and in stores where he can find long-lasting basics, like Walmart. He also searches for clothes with a style inspired by rap artists such as OhGeesy.
Looking ahead, Sahay hopes to advocate more for sustainable fashion, starting with donating clothes.
Nathan Schaefer, creative advertising
Nathan Schaefer opts for thrift shops instead of fast fashion brands like Shein and Nike. He said these stores are “terrible for the environment.”
Plus, thrift stores are the ultimate place where he can get affordable and unique clothes that align with his vintage, baggy style. He credits streetwear brands like Creationz By Dav as key influences.
Schaefer’s next steps for achieving an even more eco-friendly wardrobe are cutting down on buying too many clothes and shifting from trendy clothes to timeless pieces.
Marcus MacIvor, fashion management
Fashion management student Marcus MacIvor knows all the secrets to staying sustainable while looking straight out of a magazine. He describes his style as high-end minimal leisure.
MacIvor is a strong supporter of handcrafted fashion. In fact, he designs his own clothing. His brand, ABOVE ALL OUTCASTS, specializes in high-quality minimal athleisure with graphic designs. His creations are inspired by the snowboarding and skateboarding subcultures — styles that deeply resonate with him.
“I make sustainable decisions when it comes to fashion by buying high-quality, exclusive garments and long-lasting accessories.”
Marcus MacIvor.
MacIvor tends to shop directly at high-end stores, but when he’s on the hunt for one-of-a-kind pieces, he turns to second-hand luxury shops.
Currently, he’s working toward building a capsule wardrobe with fewer clothes. MacIvor admits he tends to own a large collection of clothes and wants to have a more curated selection.
Khailah Varquez, bachelor of behavioural science
Fourth-year student Khailah Varquez keeps the campus trend of thrift shopping. She prefers second-hand stores like Black Market and small businesses in downtown Toronto.
Thrifting for her is a sustainable choice but also a way to get one-of-a-kind clothes that make her feel confident.
Varquez draws inspiration from Y2K fashion, K-pop idols and streetwear. However, she said that her style is in constant transformation.
“I like to try something new every day,” Varquez said.
Sergio Lindo, advertising & graphic design
Advertising student Sergio Lindo is a fan of Y2K male streetwear and utility clothes — think construction worker attire, but make it cool.
Lindo prefers to shop for these types of clothes at thrift stores around Kensington Market. He said thrifting is the perfect way to get unique items while saving money.
More of a trendsetter than a trend follower, he stays away from fast-moving fads like Fila sneakers. Instead, he trusts his own style. His biggest fashion influence? Timeless 2000s outfits — especially the ones worn by Paul Walker.
Let’s give these fashionistas a round of applause! From their standout style to their commitment to sustainable fashion and thrifting, they set a great example for us all.
Are you also ready to embrace the sustainable fashion movement this Earth Month? Even small changes like reworking old clothes instead of buying new ones or learning to be a more responsible consumer can make a big difference.
For more tips on sustainable living and education on how to make more eco-friendly choices when it comes to fashion, visit Humber’s Office of Sustainability. Also, check out our article for fun and simple ways to live sustainably on campus!
Feature image courtesy of Becca McHaffie via Unsplash.
Check out more campus styles from our previous Street Styles Pt.5!
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