Hi, I’m Laura Madden! Welcome back for the second Nothing New November Challenge in partnership with Goodwill! You might remember me from my recent Goodwill projects, like the Reclaimed Fashion shopping event and FOX news segment last April or maybe the Little Black Dress Challenge at Phoenix Fashion Week last month – there have been a bunch! I’m basically a Goodwill girl through and through! I’m sure the photos from our Nothing New November photoshoot [shown here] will show you why. I simply find the best stuff.
In case you don’t know me yet – I’m a sustainable fashion advocate, influencer and model, and also an up-cycled artist. I write about the intersection of style, sustainability, and self-esteem on my blog, the ReFashion Report, and various conscious lifestyle publications and the Goodwill blog too!
I have always really loved clothes, shopping, and getting dressed up! But, when I found out that the fashion industry was one of the largest polluters of the planet, I knew something major had to change with how I was consuming fashion. Good news! I discovered Goodwill! Shopping second at thrift stores like Goodwill is one of the most sustainable ways you can shop. Secondhand fashion is sustainable fashion.
Shopping secondhand started out as an environmental stance for me four years ago. It is one of the best ways to take care of the planet, as it reduces waste, conserves resources, and keeps unwanted clothing out of landfills.
- In the US alone, nearly 13 million tons of clothing are thrown into landfills every year.
- Clothing in landfills is extremely damaging to our environment, as it breaks down it releases toxic gases into the atmosphere.
- Shopping secondhand decreases the demand on the fashion industry to produce faster and cheaper clothing.
Last November I pledged to buy nothing new for the entire month in partnership with Goodwill. This started as my own personal challenge to help me grow more conscious about how and where I was shopping. This “challenge” grew into something bigger, as people started catching on and decided to give it a try too. Shopping secondhand is some of the best shopping you can do. (evidence shown here from our Nothing New November photoshoot)
I’m back again to jump-start another Nothing New November Challenge with Goodwill. We kicked it off with a photoshoot featuring three looks exclusively from Goodwill! In just a few hours, we sourced every item from the 16th Street and Indian School store in Phoenix. I stuck to styling some to the hottest trends for fall: red, monochrome, tweed, animal print, belted coats, and utilitarian. I think we nailed it!
What does the “Nothing New November Challenge” entail?
- If you choose to shop during the month of November, shop secondhand.
- This does not include gifts you purchase for other people, unless you choose.
- You decide your comfort level, ie. socks, undergarments, hats may be best sourced brand new – it’s up to you.
- Even if you follow this challenge 50%, you are still making a difference, having a positive impact on the environment, and conserving many resources that would otherwise be used up on the sourcing, production and shipping of brand new items.
Join in! Every week for the month of November I’ll be releasing a challenge for you to complete on my blog. Make sure you follow along to find out the rest! www.iamlauramadden.com.
Week 1 Challenge
Host a clothing swap. It is a lot of fun! A swap party could include every fashion-loving friend you know or something more intimate with your nearest dearest besties. Invite whoever you like to trade items you no longer need or love. The purpose is to get together, have fun, and shop some new-to-you fashions in the most sustainable way possible.
Today, I shop about 95% secondhand. Most importantly, I want to share that I’m not sacrificing my style to shop sustainably. I’m loving it! I feel good about my purchases knowing I’m contributing to the circular economy, reducing waste, and doing what I can for the planet.
I wish you the most fun and success shopping secondhand for the next month. Hopefully you’ll decide to keep it going. Invite your friends, take them shopping and don’t forget to share your looks. Take photos, post them, and tag us for a chance to be featured too!
Laura Madden is an advocate for fashion, art, and sustainability through her work as an influencer, stylist, writer, model and artist. She reports on the intersection of style, sustainability, and self-esteem on both her blog, the ReFashion Report, and various conscious lifestyle publications. Laura also serves as an Advisory board member and a global ambassador for nonprofit Remake, is a board member with San Francisco Fashion Community Week, and is the founder of ReFashioned Art, her brand of up-cycled art.
