Despite my promise to fill this blog with new and diverse content, it’s been a while since you’ve heard from me. That is mostly because, at some point early this year, I rediscovered my love of running. To make a long story short, I signed up for a marathon and there went my free time, just like that. While I’m totally planning on writing a post on my experience, I’ll save that for another time. Now that it’s over, I want to ease back into my old routine and share some fresh content with you.

Today, I’m making a comeback to this blog by exploring the topic of building a conscious summer style on a budget. Now that I’m not constantly wear running gear, I’m excited to get creative with my wardrobe. The challenge for me is, however, recreating the cool looks I’ve saved on Pinterest while ensuring I’m building a conscious wardrobe and not depleting my bank account.

I’ve already made one offense or two in an effort to save money, so I figured now was a good time to reflect on how to do that before doing any more damage. I assume many of you are on the same boat, so I thought I’d share my tips with you too. Keep reading if you want to learn a thing or two.

Find Your Favorite Consignment Store and Visit It Often

A cheap way to stock up on current trends without breaking the bank is shopping at a local consignment store. Unlike thrift stores, consignment stores are very selective with what they’ll accept, so you’re guaranteed to find something good. You can increase your chances of finding a gem by visiting them often.

Two of my favorites here in Portland are Modo Boutique and Crossroads Trading, and you can find me there a few times a month. In fact, the latter is where I found this really cute Madewell skirt, in pristine condition and at a fraction of the original price. Consignment stores will also discount items the longer they take to sell, so you can really score some amazing deals sometimes.

If you can’t seem to find a consignment store with a good selection in your part of town, or just hate shopping in person, there are online options as well. Thredup has been a favorite of mine for years and has a large and constantly changing selection of trending items. If you’re looking to add a few pieces from decades past, Etsy has plenty of vintage sellers with unique finds.

Choose Brands that Put Sustainability at the Forefront

I used to think that buying from sustainable brands would break the bank, but that’s not the case anymore. Nowadays, there are plenty of companies that put sustainability and affordability at the forefront, making it easier for you to make more informed shopping choices.

As you’ve probably already guessed, Everlane is one of my favorites. I love that they are very transparent about cost and the nature of their supply chain. Grana is also another great choice if you are into minimalist basics. Last, but not least, I recently discovered Vetta Capsule and am excited to add a few items from their capsules to my own wardrobe. In particular, I’m eyeing this top and this dress. Both items are convertible, so talk about getting the biggest bang for your buck!

Host a Clothing Swap with Friends

The saying one person’s trash is another person’s treasure is one to keep in mind when building a conscious wardrobe. Many of us have probably identified a few pieces we can do without while transitioning our wardrobe from one season to the next. Before heading to a donation center, check to see if they have a place in one of your friends’ closets.

Or, better yet, take things up a notch by hosting a clothing swap at your house. This is a great excuse for your group of friends to get together, share some drinks and appetizers, and have fun “shopping”.  You can even ask your friends to spread the word. This way, you’ll expand your social circle while adding a piece or two to your closet, so it’s a win-win situation if you ask me.

Remember That Adopting a Conscious Wardrobe Doesn’t Happen Overnight

Building a conscious wardrobe doesn’t mean throwing away everything in your closet that wasn’t made through sustainable processes. It also doesn’t mean beating yourself up over one bad shopping choice. It’s about being aware of where the clothes you wear on an everyday basis come from and making a commitment to be more mindful about future purchases.

All that said, I hope this post has equipped you with a few tips to help you make this lifestyle change a bit more easy and affordable. Let me know if you have any tips for shopping for sustainable fashion on a budget.