How can we discuss sustainable fashion with our family, friends, and colleagues without feeling "preachy"? In this episode, we share our experiences and some tips we've learned along the way!
So you've learned about the issues in the fashion industry, become passionate about slow fashion, and want your friends and family to join the movement too.
But how do you talk to your friends or family or anyone in your life about slow fashion without feeling like you're sounding judgmental or critical?
It's a tough balance — but in today's episode Stella and I are sharing some tips and talking about our experiences for what's worked — and what hasn't!
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ELIZABETH
So you've learned about the issues in the fashion industry, become passionate about slow fashion, and what your friends and family to join the movement too. But how do you talk to your friends or family or anyone in your life about slow fashion, without sounding judgmental or critical?
It’s a tough balance and a question we've all struggled with. But in today's episode, Stella and I are sharing some tips and talking about our experiences for what's worked and what hasn't.
Hey, everyone, and welcome back to our special short series of the Conscious Style Podcast, Conscious Questions, we're Stella and I dive into some of the most asked questions, or most talked about topics in the sustainable fashion space.
And our first conscious question, Episode 68. We answered the question, Can Fast Fashion Brands Ever Be Sustainable? And in the second of this series, episode 69, we discussed if fast fashion resale programs are a step in the right direction, or just more greenwashing.
Now, today for Conscious Question number three, we're talking about a bit of a different topic. Another very common question, though, which is, how do I talk about slow fashion with my friends without sounding judgmental, or "preachy"?
Obviously, this also applies to family, colleagues, peers, or anybody else in your life as well.
So Stella, you wrote an entire article on this topic so can you start us off sharing your tips for talking about slow fashion with friends?
STELLA
Of course, and I think I'm so excited to dive into this, because it's something quite close to my heart. And reflecting when I was writing the article, I had to put on a lot of personal experiences.
So I think I wanted to say, also just in my approach to writing the article, and even this conversation and speaking to your friends and family, just to emphasize like a sense of gentleness, because I think there's so much a big sense of guilt and shame, a lot of the time when we enter into the spaces that people feel, and I can relate to that, too.
So yeah, just to keep that in mind. And my first tip kind of pulls on that mindset, which is to really just let the people that you are interested in bringing it into the conversation, let them ask first.
And I think this is just to avoid kind of like coming across as quite preachy, or being the friend that wants to, like dive into these big, often quite difficult to unpack topics in, you know, just a sudden manner, without coming up organically.
So yeah, it's something that I've learned over the years, but definitely let, let people ask first, I think you're more likely to get an engaging conversation going, if it comes from their side, if it's a question they're curious about, or, yeah, something that's been on their minds, would you agree?
ELIZABETH
Yeah, totally. I think, I mean, the topic will come up, fashion will come up, clothes will come up, because fashion is such a big part of our culture. We all wear clothes. Yeah, so it's gonna come up at some point.
And especially if you're talking about these things on social media, which I think we'll talk about later in this episode as sort of a strategy. But if your friends see you talking about it, they know that you're, you know, maybe not an expert on it, like who is an expert, right? This is a constantly evolving space. But they know that you at least know something about it. And if you're, you know, they're right by you, and they're hanging out with you, you're a great person to ask.
And something you post on social media, for instance, might spark their interest or we're now we're seeing talked about more and more in the mainstream media as well. You know, secondhand fashion, especially.
Because that is something that I think is more of an accessible entry point for a lot of people. And, yeah, I've gotten so many questions, of course, I run an entire like business based on slow fashion. So this might not always apply.
But when friends and family want to know something about something related to like sustainability and fashion or just sustainability in general, they will like often asked me, and the question just like comes up, but I think that also applies, even if you don't have a business on Instagram account dedicated to this stuff, if you're just like resharing articles or you know, maybe just talking about it.
And I also think sometimes people come into the slow fashion conversation, not even from a the context of sustainability.
STELLA
Yes, yes, yes, yes.
ELIZABETH
Especially thrifting. You know, a lot of people just want to like save money, find unique gems, can be more fun, develop a more unique style if they're not liking kind of what's coming out of the fast fashion brands.
And so I think there's also ways for people who have come into slow fashion from other ways and kind of like using that as an entry point, because different things might matter to different people.
STELLA
Yeah.
STELLA
I totally agree. And I think style is a really great entry point, oftentimes, because it's something that we each relate to, in our own ways. And it's something that we can have an emotional connection to, so it's often a really great place to start talking about.
Beyond just what we put on our bodies, what is the story behind the clothes we wear? And where do they come from? And what are the different ways of engaging with style and fashion beyond just consumption?
So I totally agree. And as somebody that doesn't run like a whole business platform around slow fashion, I think you're right, just from sharing things online.
And even just, going to a Swap Shop and posting about it, or going thrifting and posting about something I found like, that's something that my friends and family pick up on without even reading my work. Even people that haven't read articles I write just know that that's what I'm interested in.
ELIZABETH
Yeah, absolutely. And I'll get questions like, What do I do with my unwanted clothes? a lot. That's such a common question I get from people. And I think I feel like this also will come up later, but like, that is a question that I find really difficult to answer in a way that doesn't sound super judgey or preachy.
That's like we all need to stop, in the US, right, assuming somebody does have too many clothes, which usually that's the context that it comes up. And just like, we need to have less stuff, like stop buying so much stuff.
But obviously, I don't — well, I have said that in the past, to be honest — but I shouldn't. And that's not like the best way of doing it.
STELLA
Yeah, but I get you that is one of the hardest questions to answer.
Because there aren't a lot of simple solutions, and it often requires a lot of deep reflection on our own, like you were saying consumption habits.
ELIZABETH
Yeah, totally. Right. There is no easy answer. There is no easy way to just pack up everything that you have, and just kind of like, get rid of it responsibly and easily.
Which is, I weigh in my mind, is that a system problem? Or is that like our consumption problem, that we have too much stuff that we don't have the time to even manage how to get rid of it?
Or is it a system problem that like there actually is no viable solution for end-of-life for a lot of the stuff that we own? And I feel like it's both.
STELLA
It is definitely both.
ELIZABETH
But that’s kind of a different topic, so…
STELLA
It is!
Well, we can kind of bring it to the next point. Because these questions often come up in reference to I guess, people wondering about our journeys of slow fashion, and how we grapple with these questions and things that come up along the way.
And so my second point, is when you're in these conversations, or even if somebody asks you like, how did you get into slow fashion? Or where did you get that really great thrifted blazer? I think it's always a good idea to reference your own journey.
And I think this in a way also takes kind of guilt and shame that sometimes is brought up in these conversations. Like you were saying, sometimes I feel like I'm coming across as judgmental when I say certain things or not taking context into account because of course, that differs from person to person.
But when you really personalize what you're saying, and reference your own journey in the stories you tell, and the way you explain your approach, it just allows people to see, okay, you've done it, and this was your context, and how does what you learned along the way apply to me?
Without it being like, you should do that you should change this or like, why do you do this? And maybe we should do that. So it becomes a more in a way gentle conversation.
ELIZABETH
Yeah, totally. Sharing the ups and downs, making it sort of more human because sometimes people might see something like sustainable fashion or something like climate activism and see people in the news.
And you can sort of separate and say, like, well, that's that kind of person. And it feels sort of unrelatable. In that they're either like, perfectly sustainable or really hippie, which some people might resonate with, some people might not.
Or it feels like, well, something I've heard too, is like, well, what are these climate activists even do? They don't have to have a job?
And like, I think it's also bringing sort of like showing in a more real way of like, I love fashion. And I also try to do it as mindfully as I can. And it's an imperfect sort of process and journey and I was also really hooked on fast fashion. So like, I get it. It wasn't easy for me.
But now, it's so much more fun and so much more enjoyable — and I save a lot of time and money in the long run.
STELLA
I love that point about making it human and also admitting to imperfections, because there have been a few times where I have had an interaction where I felt the need to make it a more human interaction.
For example, when I compliment somebody on something they're wearing, and there's this moment, sometimes when they give me this awkward laugh, and then I'll say something like, oh, but it's from H&M or it’s from a fast fashion brand.
And I can tell there, this nervousness is coming from a fear of being judged and probably shamed, knowing that this is something I'm I speak about, and have probably called out the brand was something in the past.
And I think, to be able to respond with saying that, like, it looks really great on you, and I hope you get a lot of wear out of it. And also, I have struggled with giving up fast fashion, and I used to buy fast fashion, and I know it's not realistic to completely give it up for everybody. But we can all try our best.
So just to make that point of relatability. And also show that, Well, most people have old fast fashion, or fast fashion in their wardrobes. And it doesn't mean that we can't make better choices, or if that's what's accessible to us.
But we all start somewhere and I think it makes them more relatable and human.
ELIZABETH
Yeah, totally. And that we can take some of these actions. It's like a yes and, right? It's like we can take, for instance, like we can protest Adidas, and there's a lot of like, pay your workers protests going on. We can protest Levi's.
But like, we can also have fun with fashion too like it's not either or. It can be both. And I think that is something that, unfortunately, isn't shown a lot in media, because it's, you know, we like very simple stories.
Especially with the speeding up of media and social media. We'd like really over-simplistic stories and put people into boxes. And I think if people see you engaging with slow fashion, but they also know that you're also just like a normal person who likes to have fun and enjoy things and like, not take life, always so seriously, it feels maybe more…more accessible to them.
STELLA
100% and I think we welcome more people into the movement in that way. Because it just makes people realize like, okay, I can see myself doing this. It's not something so far off or for people that are, have dedicated their entire careers to this movement.
It's something that we can all do in our everyday. And I think there are simple ways that are often overlooked. There are slow fashion practices like rewearing and restyling and things that you already own, which is like the most basic of them all.
ELIZABETH
Yeah, which leads well to your third point.
STELLA
Yes, exactly. And as we have just been chatting about to make this kind of space more accessible and exciting is also important to come in with a sense of creativity and to let your outfit lead.
Which is something I have done many times. Yeah, I think wearing a really funky or like an outfit that really feels like you are dressing as yourself.
But slow fashion, whether it be thrifted or swapped for from a small brand, or whatever the case may be, I think to lead with that and to have people ask questions or be curious about what you're wearing, especially as an introvert has been one of the main ways that these conversations have been sparked in my life.
And yeah, I might get a comment like that's a really amazing jacket, where did you get it and then I can launch into a bit of a backstory about the thrift store or the Swap Shop or the brand and just take the few moments that you get to have people's attention to just explain why it's so meaningful to you.
And I think that just leading by example in terms of style, is often what really hooks people.
ELIZABETH
Yeah, it's such an easy entry point into that conversation. A compliment on a shirt or bag or just an outfit is — or glasses like I am not wearing them right now but I have glasses from Genusee. Which is unfortunately going out of business — breaks my heart, but they are made in Flint, Michigan, and it's like a circular and sustainable ethical glasses brand.
And so that's really cool that I can share about that. Or like, I'm always wearing Swap Society. This jacket was swapped from Swap Society.
And so I like it when someone compliments something. I'm like, oh, yeah, I actually, I basically got it for free. I mean, not exactly. But I traded in my clothes, and I got points and paid like $5, basically for like a fee, for the logistics to swap it. And people love that.
You never know, if someone really cares that much about sustainability. Unfortunately, for us in the movement, we think that everybody should care.
And I do believe that everybody should care. I mean, this is also like the future of humanity. But not everybody does. That's the reality right now.
And sometimes it's nice to kind of talk about the other benefits as well. And price is a benefit that a lot of people like to hear.
STELLA
Exactly. Which is maybe a good time to bring up that point that I wanted to share about balancing sharing the realities with positive benefits.
I don't know if you want to say any more about that, but I think a lot of us can relate to that. Sometimes price is a very big benefit. I mean, I know, when I started thrifting, I didn't know that it was considered sustainable fashion. I definitely was doing it because it was cheaper and I could find really unique pieces. Like the process just enchanted me.
So of course, we should all care about the systemic issues underlying a lot of these causes and movements.
But I think a lot of practices also come out of necessity, and it's important to acknowledge that because I think a lot of sustainable practices, even when it comes to clothing, come from necessity and people that are doing these things out of necessity. Which is always good to remember.
ELIZABETH
Yeah, right. And somebody's entry point into something is not necessarily the endpoint, either. So they might go thrifting for one reason, and then learn about sustainability later and also get excited. Like, I think there can be several reasons.
I think for me, it's a lot of reasons. I like to find more unique things. I do like that it's less expensive, and also, it's a sustainable choice.
STELLA
Yeah, and you have a bit more time, often because you're not like constantly consumed with…I know, for me, it was unsubscribing to a lot of emails list and like newsletters that have marketing on them, like big sales every day.
You're not spending so much time concerned with browsing one of these massive sites and, and things that actually you don't realize, take a lot of energy and time from you.
But yeah, taking a bit of a step back from that level of consumption does often save time.
I think I wanted to say that, it is also good to find ways to bring in the realities of the industry. Because I know that in many cases, it does take a moment of shock in a way to just open your mind up to things that you may not have been aware of before.
Maybe it's watching a documentary or somebody sending you a news article about fashion's waste crisis or hearing about greenwashing. For me, I remember The True Cost being like one of my first 'wow", moments of like, this is the reality of the industry.
So I think it's important to welcome people in by sharing the other kinds of benefits of slow fashion, but also try and create awareness at the same time, which you do really well through your platform is about really harsh realities, because we can't run with…
ELIZABETH
Sometimes I feel like a negative nancy.
STELLA
But like you were saying it is the future of humanity. So at some level, we need to just try and engage with it. I know it's not always easy. But it's a balance.
ELIZABETH
Yeah absolutely it's a balance.
But in terms of with friends, I agree that sending something like a documentary can be a really accessible way.
Or if you're in a book club, maybe you recommend a book that covers sustainable fashion. I think Consumed by Aja Barber is a great introductory book, because she talks about, she interweaves her own journey too.
And she brings in her humor, and just like relatable stories. Because some sustainable fashion books are very academic, and I've struggled to get through them. Like this is what I talk and write about all the time. And I love this stuff, and I am like, oh, this is like a hard one to get through.
But yeah, Consumed. I would recommend Consumed or Conscious Closet by Elizabeth Cline as well for more handbook-style, actionable, like, here's what to do.
STELLA
Yeah, that's a really good point in a book club, because then often in book clubs is also the space for discussion afterwards, somebody's read the book or pass it on to somebody else. And yeah, it's nice to also hear other people's perspectives on things.
But perhaps if you don't have time to read a whole book, or maybe you don't have a book club to create these spaces for discussion, even bringing in a fashion news item into a conversation is a great idea to get ideas rolling and hear what people think about the matter.
So this was another point that I mentioned in the article. But whether it's something like greenwashing or fashion's waste crisis, which are two quite big topics that are now making it into quite mainstream media, I think.
Suggesting, have you read this article, or did you see this being posted about? I'm thinking also about Shein because I know a lot of people share, like news posts about Shein and I've seen that on social media, even not from people that are “slow fashion advocates”, but it's just so shocking that it's made it into conversations around news items.
So bring it up, see what people think, have a conversation around it. And it's often top of people's minds. So it can be a great way to initiate some thoughts around the matter.
ELIZABETH
Yeah, that is such a great point. The recent expose of Shein did really make waves. And I was glad to see when I shared about it on the @consciousstyle Instagram, there were people in the comments like tagging their friends and being like, looks like we can't shop there anymore, or we should stop you know shopping Shein.
STELLA
That’s amazing.
ELIZABETH
So I was glad it was reaching people who do maybe shop there and perhaps can choose to not shop there.
STELLA
That's really great.
ELIZABETH
And I feel like sort of, to some of the other points about making the conversation more accessible, I find that like, you know, if we come at it sort of like this brand is doing this horrible thing. It makes it a little bit less judgy when or like, consumers… are just making fast fashion into this really popular thing and consumers are overconsuming. And you know, which might be true to an extent, but also that's not maybe everyone's story.
And some people were just like, oh, yeah, it's affordable and maybe you didn't know the reality was like how that was made?
I mean, I didn't know or I didn't really think about it — I should have — when I was shopping Forever. 21. I should have questioned how is this shirt $3? But I didn't.
And I think that Dr. Dion Terrelonge has some really great Instagram reels talking about sort of how we're able to separate things that don't align on so we can kind of compartmentalize things.
And so, I guess what I'm trying to say with this is that, I think that it can be helpful to talk about the brand, and not say consumers are the worst. That obviously doesn't feel very good to the people you're telling that to.
STELLA
And also, and you spoke about this in your recent podcast episode with Jasmin from Sourcing Journal, but news items often help us to see systemic patterns.
So when journalists are speaking about these systemic issues, and using different examples of these big brands that we're all aware of, it does help to create those linkages in our minds.
So the sense that it's not just a standalone issue from one brand to another also just is a really interesting way to bring it up. Did you see this about Shein and this about I don't know, Zara and try and create linkages between the two because they often are ways to, to create those connections that speak to like a broad system, as opposed to it being just one standalone news article.
ELIZABETH
Totally, totally. It can be an opportunity to open up discussions about the sort of systemic issues.
And I think it's also maybe helpful to talk to people about the manipulative marketing tactics that some of these brands use.
And, you know, not trying to blame them or shame them. But just saying like, they kind of they make you feel like it's really urgent. They have this countdown timer of their launch in 12 hours, but we know there's no shortage of fast fashion. It's not actually a scarce resource at all.
But they might have the sale timer, or this collection drop timer, and this artificial scarcity and artificial urgency are just like, do you notice that pretty little thing always says 80% off.
And I guess, also shedding light on that. I think that helps for people to be a little bit more aware and be like, oh wait, do I actually want to shop or am I shopping because I'm getting, you know, 10 emails and 20 notifications from Shein.
STELLA
Yeah, that's a really good point. And so I think, news and speaking about these topics, in terms of the systems that are at play, it really helps to appeal to our minds, which are a great place to get us thinking about are different, big issues which fashion has so many of.
I think that works for a lot of people. And often this is leading into my next point, we need a little bit of a shift in our emotional connection as well, and the way we relate to consumption and our clothing in a practical way. And so I found something to be helpful in the space as well is to try and show instead of telling.
And I try to do both. I try, you know, I have conversations around fashion's impact and news items. But also, sometimes taking somebody to a clothing swap or taking them thrifting or having a mending evening, are also really great ways to just show the practicalities of what does slow fashion mean in practice?
And how does it feel when you're doing that thing? How do you feel when you walk into a charity store and find like, your dream pair of pants and it's really not that expensive, or you found a second hand, which feels very different than stepping into a mall and feeling like this big rush that you need all these latest trends and like you've really seek this item out, and you're making it your own.
So I think to keep that in mind of balancing, telling people the realities, and also showing them the alternatives is a good way to bring people into this space in a more gentle way.
ELIZABETH
Yeah, I love that. And sort of, to the point we were talking about before it can maybe bust some misconceptions or generalizations about what slow fashion is, right?
People might have an assumption that thrifted clothes are dirty or not stylish. But if someone says I love your outfit, and then you tell them, oh, it's all secondhand. And that might sort of shift their perception.
So actually sometimes I think it's fun to let your outfit lead, which was another tip that you had, because some people will just objectively like your outfit. Not objectively, but without knowing where it's from, they will just like your outfit.
And then you tell them a second hand and it kind of changes something in their mind if they did have a misconception, or bad perception of secondhand in the past, for example.
STELLA
That's a really good point. And you can almost see that shift happening. Like I've watched friends find something at a swap or at a thrift store and just like the eyes light up, and it's really enjoyable to see.
Because I think when we start understanding what it means in our own lives, that's where the change really happens, and you become so much more open to trying different things. And I know, that's what it was like for me coming into the movement.
My journey kind of started a clothing swap which, felt so different to just this rampant consumption and being constantly convinced that I need new things. I just felt so warm and welcoming and joyful. So I think that is one of my favorite tips, because I know that's how it was for me.
ELIZABETH
Yeah, and if you want to bring friends into that you can kind of say, you know, I want to go to this clothing swap, but I don't want to go alone when you come with me. I want to go thrifting because I need XYZ, will you come with me?
It sort of normalizes behavior as well. Or like you know, yeah, come over let's chat and have coffee and I'm just gonna like do some mending. For the record, to be honest, I've not ever done that with the mending — that would be really cool if I did though one day.
STELLA
I’ve crocheted though. I’ve done like I’ve crocheted or knitted while somebody's been here and or like visits. And I feel like it also is intriguing like people want to learn and I've had a friend do that and I asked her like can you teach me how to crochet like there are definitely points of entry so I think it's it does work.
ELIZABETH
I love that. I love that. And another really easy one I think in terms of behavior is just outfit repeating like not being afraid to rewear the same dress to another wedding.
It’s just going to be me. Scandalous, wearing the same dress to two weddings. What?!
It shouldn't be so countercultural. But it is.
STELLA
It is. But to just like [laugh]...It's wild to think about because it's actually not that strange. But weddings for some people feel very touchy about those subjects.
I recently, I'm attending a wedding in a few weeks and I got a secondhand dress for it. And I have decided, like, that's just going to be my wedding outfit for the foreseeable future. Like, if I get invited to a wedding, I'm just going to wear the secondhand dress, which I really love.
But I think it should be normalized especially for occasion wear, like formal wear. We don't have countless occasions to go to as a normal person. So I don't have one very fancy dress. So I think it's a great way to just show people you can still look good and feel good and have a great time I'd be wearing the same outfit. It doesn't affect the experience.
ELIZABETH
Absolutely. And it's funny because we're like, oh, man, I have to find the outfit I have to find four dresses because we're going four weddings. And it's like, oh, yeah, like stressed about it. I'm like, Who says you have to buy four different dresses? Like why can't you isn't there is there one in your closet maybe that you even have that you could wear?
And Alyssa Beltempo, who has a fantastic YouTube channel. Had some great advice for occasionwear on one of her YouTube videos. And it was like, buy for your style and what you love, not for the occasion.
Like, if you buy a dress or pantsuit or whatever it might be, particularly for a special occasion, there's a good chance that like, you won't wear it again, because it doesn't feel good, doesn't feel like you. So that was like a really good tip, I think.
STELLA
That is actually something I've had to channel within the past two weeks thinking about what I'm going to wear to this wedding. Because I was like, it has to be something that I feel good in because I know I'm going to wear it again and again. And I think also maybe another tip is that like you could change the accessories or the bag, you know.
It really changes the look and feel of an outfit sometimes. And it's simple things that you already have at home changing your earrings or bag or whatever it may be, shoes.
Outfit repeating doesn't always have to mean you have to wear the same thing like exactly as it was. But like, you know, you can restyle pieces. You can wear it with different pants or different shirts.
And I have my favorite outfits that I wear piece on piece exactly how I always wear them. But I have other pieces that I switched between. And I think, normalizing that is such a big step for a lot of people and an important one.
ELIZABETH
Yeah, totally. And it makes other people more comfortable doing it when your outfit repeating and proud of it and not ashamed of it. I think that makes other people more comfortable with it.
STELLA
Yeah, I think this whole conversation is a lot about relatability. And making sure that our journeys are relatable to as many people as they can be to make people feel welcomed and not judged and shamed in the space.
Which I think leads perfectly to the last point that I wanted to share, which is to listen with empathy and ask questions.
Because I think, and I remember like reflecting back years ago, when I was first signing in the space, I did feel a sense of intimidation, and then maybe a sense of like guilt and shame around the fast fashion they own and I think it's quite a daunting space to come into, especially when you're starting out and maybe you don't know a lot of the misconceptions or myths around sustainable fashion, then you have a very particular idea of what it's meant to be.
So I think, even for us as people that have been in the space for a while, an important thing to remember to do is just to listen, and to ask questions about other people's journeys and stories without - without trying not to come across as judgmental.
Because I think there's so much nuance in the space and also so many different contexts and people who have restrictions for many different reasons, whether that's financial or health conditions, or sizing or geographic context.
So to be able to listen and understand where people are coming from adds a level of just acceptance and knowing that this movement is not going to look the same from person to person. And that's actually quite a cool thing, quite an exciting thing.
So it's more for us to be aware of our, I guess, privileges and vantage points when we're going into these conversations and not just expecting it to be us sharing ways that other people can change but also being aware that there are ways that we can unlearn and relearn things along the way, too.
ELIZABETH
Yeah, I think this is the perfect tip to round out this conversation. Because if there's one sort of surefire way to make sure you don't come across as “preachy”, it is to not preach, not make it a one-way conversation. Not just be talking on your pedestal, but making it a conversation.
And part of a conversation is of course, listening, asking questions, hearing out their concerns. And I think this can actually be an amazing way to learn about the barriers to slow fashion that maybe you didn't experience personally, but that are very real for other people.
That can be a way to make the slow fashion movement more inclusive, because you can consider their concerns and think about, okay, well, how can we sort of address that? And…
STELLA
Yup, exactly.
ELIZABETH
…maybe in some cases, that might be a misconception, and in other cases, it might be a very real barrier.
Then I think, acknowledging that as you were pointing out and understanding coming at it with empathy.
It's easier said than done. Because I know, this is like a passionate topic. And we get very passionate about this stuff, because we care about it, which I think is amazing. It's so cool that you care. I mean, we need more people to care. But yeah, breathe.
And that one person that you're talking to is not the responsible party, most likely. Unless you get to talk to, I don't know the CEO of H&M, then go at it.
STELLA
Yeah, this does not apply! These tips probably don't apply in extreme cases.
ELIZABETH
But yeah, I feel like that's a great way to end off. Do you have anything else to add? Any final words, Stella?
STELLA
No, I think we've covered most of the tips.
But I guess if, if anybody else has tips for us, then you can always DM or leave them in the comments of posts. Because I think we can only get better about how to approach these conversations and how to make them feel more accessible.
So yeah, that's it for me.
ELIZABETH
Yes. DM @consciousstyle on Instagram, or email podcast@consciouslifeandstyle.com if you have tips to add. That is an amazing point.
And we want these conversations to spark more conversations and more kind of thinking about it.
I think at the end of the day, this whole conversation about how to talk with friends and family about slow fashion, it comes down to like, we are all part of culture, and we can all sort of help shape the future of culture in society.
These conversations, like they're kind of like just micro-actions that can amplify and scale. And, you know, I heard this one quote, like the culture is changing, it's always changing. So it's up to us to sort of decide where it's changing what's happening to culture.
STELLA
I love that.
ELIZABETH
Yeah. Obviously, some people have more influence on that than others. But you also have a micro-culture within your family or your friend group or your neighborhood or your office. So that can be really exciting, I hope.
STELLA
Exactly. Because sometimes changing the world feels a bit daunting, but sharing with the people that you know, and who you can have conversations with and see if there are ways of shifting culture within your sphere of influence is a really good place to start.
ELIZABETH
For sure, for sure. Okay, thank you, everybody, for tuning in to this week's conscious question. Make sure you are following the Conscious Style Podcast on your listening app of choice so that you don't miss any of our future conscious questions.
And rate, review, share the show if you enjoyed it. As I said, let us know what you think on Instagram or via email.
And then finally, we would love it if you subscribed to the weekly newsletter, The Conscious Edit, which goes out each Saturday. It's basically a curation of resources like news articles, podcasts, videos, and all that kind of good stuff — it varies by the week.
So you can sign up for that at consciouslifeandstyle.com/edit and the link will also be in the YouTube description and in the episode description.
Yes, side note, if you're listening to the audio, we also are going to be posting this on YouTube. I should have mentioned that at the beginning. But there are going to be video versions of this episode, and the upcoming conscious questions too.
So hope to see you over there as well. All the links are going to be in the episode description.
Thanks again for tuning in and see you next week.