how to understand your personal style through outfit photos
Discover your personal style and build a sustainable wardrobe by documenting your outfits: how outfit photos can reveal your color palette, closet staples, & more.
2022 Sustainable Home Favorites
As a sustainability creator I share a ton of sustainable swaps, but these are my absolute favorites in the home category from 2022. Read on for recommendations for your kitchen, bedroom, and anywhere that needs a good clean. And check out my sustainable personal care favorites and fashion favorites from 2022 as well. Kitchen Bedroom Cleaning This post contains affiliate links. Sustainable kitchen favorites Caraway Fry Pan ($95) / Dutch Oven ($135) – I received the Caraway Dutch Oven and Fry Pan right before I moved into my first real “big girl” apartment and I know I’m going to have them in my kitchen for YEARS. They are super high quality ceramic, non-stick (like actually non-stick), teflon-free cookware. They are worth the investment and I’m planning on adding a mini duo to my collection in the next year. Our Place Midi Bowls ($60 for set of four) / Midi Plates ($50 for set of four) – After years of using mismatched secondhand and hand-me-down plates, I finally invested in this ceramic matching set from Our Place. The shallow bowls work as plates and bowls, and the midi plates stack on top of the bowls for easy storage. Neutrall Upcycled Glassware ($19 for set of two) – Neutrall is a small US-based upcycling business that turns used drink bottles into glassware. These small green glasses are made from Topo Chico bottles! They have taller and wider glass options made from other bottles. Lifestraw Water Filter Pitcher ($40) – Filter replacements are much smaller in size compared to Brita filters and can be replaced less frequently! iDesign Berry Basket Storage Marley’s Monsters Reusable Tea Bags ($18) – This year I started making iced tea concentrate with bulk tea leaves and after using a big strainer to strain the leaves out after the tea cooled, these reusable tea bags have been an awesome swap. Sustainable Bedroom favorites Bearaby Cotton Napper Weighted Blanket ($199+) – Bearaby Nappers are open knit evenly distributed weighted blankets. I’ve had this one for about two years and I cannot fall asleep without it. They have different size and weight variations. Avocado Green Organic Cotton Sheets ($149+) – These feel like fancy hotel sheets in the best way. Incredibly soft, hold up really well in the wash, and are worth the investment. Avocado Green Pillow ($109+) – This year I upgraded my pillows for the first time ever and these Avocado Green Brand pillows are the coolest. Sustainable materials like certified organic latex and kapok, a machine washable cover, and adjustable fill to customize your pillow. Pact Organic Cotton Jersey Duvet Cover And Shams ($120+) – This duvet cover literally feels like wrapping yourself in a perfectly worn in tee shirt. Easy to wash, super comfortable, and – as with all Pact goods – certified Fair Trade and organic. Keep an eye out for Pact sales!! Notes Refillable Candle ($52 for a starter kit) – I loved this swap so much I gave some away to my family for Christmas! See what I love about this refillable candle here and see how easy it is to refill here. Sustainable Cleaning Favorites HoldOn Compostable Kitchen Trash Bags ($13+) – My favorite bags for my compost bin! The large trash bags are also super sturdy for a compostable option. Learn more about HoldOn bags in this video here. Get 15% off with code MEGAN15 Grove Collaborative Cleaning Concentrate ($6+) – All cleaning products should be concentrated, and that is a hill I am willing to die on. Most of my cleaning products are from Grove Co. but I especially love the surface and glass cleaners. The solution comes in a little glass bottle, you add water and the solution to a spray bottle, and voila. Grove products are also reasonably priced and fairly accessible – you can find Grove products in store and online at Target! Bee Kind Pot Scrubber ($8) – I’ve had this brush/scrubber for a few years and it’s still kicking it. It’s fully compostable at the end of its useful life and gets the job done. I used it for dishes and pots for a year or so and now use it to deep clean my sink! Swedish Dishcloths (from $10 for 3-packs) – I love using swedish dishcloths for sticky or wet messes. They’re super absorbent, dry out quickly, and can even be thrown in the dishwasher or washing machine. They are compostable at the end of their useful life. You can find these at a variety of spots – including Trader Joes! Marley’s Monsters Un-Paper Towels ($96) – IF THERE IS ONE THING IN THIS POST THAT YOU BUY, LET THIS BE THE ONE. I got these washable cotton towels for my 21st birthday. I’m 25 and I STILL use them on a daily basis. I just invested in another pack because I love them so much and use them so often. I have not bought paper towels or napkins in the past 5 or so years and I’ve converted my parents and siblings to fans of Marley’s Monsters unpaper towels, too. Dirty Labs Laundry Detergent ($14) – Another fabulous concentrated cleaning product! This little bottle of laundry detergent is good for 32 loads of laundry. You need a teeny little amount for a killer clean. And if you’re looking for a scent recommendation, the magnolia, bergamot, and cedar signature scent is incredible. Check out the other 2022 favorites posts here
2022 Sustainable Fashion Favorites
Below are my favorite sustainable fashion items from 2022 – everything from cactus leather accessories to secondhand Gucci watches. Check out my favorite sustainable personal care swaps from this year and stay tuned for a round up of my favorite home products. Underwear Basics Closet Staples Accessories Secondhand Finds This post contains affiliate links. sustainable basics Underwear Arq Wide Strap Bra & Misha Undies ($32 / $28) XXS-4X – A repeat favorite in my closet this year. Arq underwear is an investment but nothing makes me feel more put together than wearing a matching Arq set. They are such high quality and love that they are size inclusive. Subset (formerly Knickey) Triangle Bra & High Rise Brief ($62 / $20) 2XS-4XL – Knickey underwear and bras (and now socks!) are made with fair trade organic cotton and the underwear especially is super reasonably priced. Learn about their underwear recycling program here, too! Use code ACTEEVISM10 for 10% off. Hara The Label High Cut Leo Bra ($55) XS-4XL – This is another item I have a few of in my underwear drawer. These are the most comfortable bralettes with supportive yet minimal design. Hara The Label is an Australian-based brand so shipping is quite a process, but Hara items can also be found secondhand on apps like Depop / Poshmark and on some retailers. Kent Compostable Underwear ($24) XS-3XL – Kent makes GOTS certified organic cotton underwear and tee shirts that are designed to be fully composted at the end of their useful life. I have a pair of their high rise briefs and a thong and I love them both. They are stiffer/less stretchy than some other underwear I own but I think that’s worth it for the compostability at the end. Mate The Label Socks ($38 for a three-pack) – I officially became a sock girl this year and these are my favorites. Not too tight around the ankle, still fit comfortably in sneakers and loafers, and are sustainably and ethically made. Use code 15MEGAN for 15% off. Organic Basics Socks ($17 for a two-pack) – Great basic socks made sustainably and ethically. They also hold up super well through the wash – I’ve had these for a few years and there are no signs of pilling! Boody Eco Wear Sleep Socks ($18) – I’ve had these socks for a few years and not only are they my favorite cozy socks but they also have been the key to heatless sock curls for my hair. Basic Layers Arq Sal Ribbed Tank ($48) XXS-6X – This ribbed cotton tank is tagless around the neck so it can be worn both ways for a higher or lower neckline! LACAUSA Quincy Tee ($48) XS-XL – I have this tee in white, black, and blue. It is by far my favorite simple tee. It’s soft, stretchy, and has a micro-rib texture to it. The white is a little bit see through, but it pairs very well with my beige bralette from Hara The Label. Kent Compostable Crop Tee Shirt ($46) XS-3XL – Kent makes GOTS certified organic cotton underwear and tee shirts that are designed to be fully composted at the end of their useful life. This crop top is oversized and cropped, so keep that in mind with sizing. Accessories + Closet Staples Accessories Crap Eyewear Supa Phreek Sunglasses in color Kiwi Bio ($89) – These are the funkiest sunglasses I’ve ever had but they’ve become staples in my wardrobe. I find myself reaching for them constantly. They are made from biodegradable bioacetate and built to last. Ana Luisa Lo Small Slim Endless Hoop Earrings ($75) – These are my daily earrings in my first piercing and I wear very similar but smaller Ana Luisa hoops in my second and third piercings 24/7! I love the endless hoops vs. stud hoops because they are less irritating to my ears. These earrings are recycled sterling silver dipped in 14k gold and have stayed perfectly in tact with my everyday wear for the past year. Hyer Goods Mini Bucket Bag ($195) – If you’re looking for a leather bag, Hyer Goods should be the first place you look. They use deadstock leather and offcuts from leather goods manufacturing for their accessories. See my post about the complexities of “sustainable” leathers here. Everlane Cactus Leather Hobo Bag ($150) – This bag is made with Desserto plant-based leather alternative made from the Prickly Pear Cactus plant. It’s a perfect sized bag *and* I love that non-plastic leather alternatives are becoming more commonplace and accessible in the fashion industry. The green “Pepper” color I have is no longer available but I’m sure there are secondhand options! Closet Staples Whimsy + Row Valentina Convertible Top ($84 but currently on sale) – This linen tank has been an absolute staple in my wardrobe since I got this top. It can be worn a bunch of different ways (see my video here on 4 ways to wear it) and I’ve worn it for many different occasions: date nights, concerts, casual days out, and even more professional business events. It’s a fun but classic item in my closet and I’ve gotten so much good wear out of it already. Pangaia Unisex Hemp Denim Jacket ($275) – Pangaia has been on my radar for a while as an interesting and innovative sustainable brand, but I didn’t know their products went beyond basic tees and sweatsuits until this year. This jacket is made with a blend of organic cotton and rain-fed hemp and is one of the highest quality denim jackets I’ve come across in my hunt for a THE denim jacket over the past few years. I wear it all the time and am considering getting the darker wash from Pangaia as well. In terms of sizing, I sized up for a more relaxed fit (and so I could roll up the sleeves comfortably). The size charts are very accurate so purchase accordingly! Girlfriend Collective Compressive Flare Leggings ($78) – The term “flare leggings” cracks me up,
2022 Sustainable Skincare, Beauty, & Wellness Favorites
As a sustainability creator I share a ton of sustainable swaps, but these are my favorites of 2022 in the personal care category. Check out my favorites from 2021 here and stay tuned for more 2022 favorites in fashion and home. Hair Care Body Care Oral Care Skincare Beauty Wellness This post contains affiliate links. Sustainable Hair Care, Body Products, & Oral Care Sustainable Hair care favorites Eco Tools Scalp Massager ($7) – This has been key to my hair health this year! I use it with shampoo – especially my deep cleansing shampoo – to really get my scalp clean. I’ve noticed a big difference regarding product buildup since using it. There are plenty of scalp massager options out there, I just happened to choose this one since it’s a more sustainable option and it’s easy to get at Target! Bars Over Bottles Detox Shampoo Bar ($15) – I’ve tried tons of shampoo bars so it’s a big statement when I say this one is a favorite of 2022. Since dyeing my hair this past summer I have been much more aware of any product that leaves buildup in my scalp or doesn’t really clean my oily scalp. This shampoo bar really works, and I switch off between this one and a clarifying liquid shampoo every other wash to prevent any buildup (which I’ve noticed happens more frequently when I only used shampoo bars). Bars Over Bottles Ultra Moisturizing Conditioner Bar ($15) – I’ve struggled with conditioner bars not being moisturizing enough, but this one is amazing. I use it every time I wash my hair and it feels soft immediately after rinsing it out *and* after my hair is dry and styled. Big big fan of this conditioner bar, especially if you need something moisturizing. sustainable body care favorites Sugardoh Sugaring Paste ($35+) – I have been using a safety razor for hair removal since I was in college but liked the idea of waxing for a longer-term hair removal solution. Sugardoh is a sugar-based paste that pulls hair from the root similar to waxing. I like Sugardoh specifically because once you’ve finished you can compost the sugar! I find it works super well, especially for my underarms, and now find myself reaching for it more frequently compared to my safety razor. You can also find it at Urban Outfitters and Ulta. Contemplation My Only Oil ($48) – This is a multi-purpose moisturizing dry oil that can be used to remove makeup, moisturize your body and face, tame flyaway hair, and in plenty of other ways. It’s from a small woman-owned business I partnered with earlier this year and it’s made with upcycled ingredients! It is fragrance-free and a little goes a long way! See my post with more information about it here. Korres 3-In-1 Nourishing Oil ($38) – This is another multi-purpose dry oil featuring pure greek olive oil. It has the most WONDERFUL light scent and I often find myself skipping perfume when I use it. You can use it in your hair, on your face, and on your body. Korres has an impressive commitment to sustainability and a lot of close connections with their olive farmers. See a post I made earlier this year about it for more information here. Hey Humans Coconut Mint Deodorant ($7) – A plastic free, aluminum free, natural deodorant that actually works and is priced reasonably???? This is a repeat favorite from 2021 and I still use it every single day. The coconut mint scent is my favorite but there are lots of good options. sustainable oral care favorites Bite Toothpaste Bits Fresh Mint with Fluoride ($48 for 4 month supply) – I’ve been using Bite toothpaste bits for *years* and I was so excited when they released their bits with fluoride this year. They’re a bit softer and easier to chew than the fluoride-free bits I’ve used before and the fresh mint has always been my favorite flavor. Use code ACTEEVISM for 10% off. Bite Bamboo Toothbrush ($12 for 2 pack) – Another longtime favorite swap, these bamboo toothbrushes from Bite are great. They ship completely plastic-free in a small paper box. I get refills of the toothbrushes with my Bite bits subscription every four months. Use code ACTEEVISM for 10% off. Brilliant Black Floss ($10) – I got this floss at my local bulk grocery store and it’s so great. I put it in my byHumankind floss packaging instead of buying refills from byHumankind! Great floss, just seems silly to buy one pack of floss online. Sustainable SkinCare & Beauty Favorites Sustainable Skincare FAvorites Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser ($36) – I have used this cleanser for two years straight and I still love it. The scent is so light and fresh and it does a great job of cleansing without stripping my skin. Also available at Sephora. Use code ACTEEVISM for 15% off. Youth To The People Polypeptide-121 Future Cream ($64) – This has become my absolute favorite moisturizer. It soaks right into my skin and leaves it feeling so soft. For an extra bit of hydration I add a drop or two of the chia facial oil (linked below). If you’re healing your skin barrier this is a great moisturizer option. Use code ACTEEVISM for 15% off. Cocokind Sea Kale Clay Mask ($19) – I’m a forever fan of Cocokind and this mask has become a staple in my skincare routine. It’s great especially when I have deep cystic acne forming. The clay mask is also available at Target. Cocokind Chia Facial Oil ($18) – My dry skin has been loving this facial oil. I add a few drops to my moisturizer of the day for extra hydration or use a good layer of it overnight to lock moisture in from my routine. The Chia Oil is also available at Target and Ulta. Cocokind Reusable Facial Rounds ($18) – If you find yourself reaching for cotton rounds these are a great low-waste swap. They’re super soft and are easy to wash in the laundry. These have been a favorite for two years now! Sustainable
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