As I update my wardrobe for summer and back-to-school (or back-to-school-from-home?), I’ve been trying to buy from Black-owned thrift, vintage, and sustainable online shops. Supporting BIPOC-owned businesses, and brands that align with your ethics, is a small action that can lead to more systemic changes. The fashion industry has a long history of racism, exclusionary advertising, and unjust working conditions for employees of color. It is also one of the most polluting industries in the world. I am a firm believer that you can look good while feeling good about where your clothes come from, especially when there are so many amazing ethical options out there!

Lately I’ve resumed my oldest and most comforting hobby of keeping a journal. In it, I decided to track what I’ve been purchasing since I began working remotely in quarantine almost one month ago. I’ve tracked my purchases sporadically throughout the years, and I find that it reveals a lot about what’s happening in my life and what brings me pleasure and comfort. Keeping a running list of purchases also encourages me to be a little more mindful about how I’m spending my money…

On my last pre-quarantine trip to Goodwill, I found an extraordinary pair of vintage velvet flats. Too eager to save them for a special occasion, I wore them with jeans on an ordinary day off that included running errands, meeting my mom for ramen, and climbing a play structure that is now covered in “closed” signs and caution tape…

During the quarantine here in the PNW, I’ve been teaching remotely via video each day, so I am obliged to wear (at least the top part of) a professional outfit. Honestly, there are way more important issues right now than what to wear for Zoom meetings. But also, preserving a little bit of normalcy, and a small creative outlet, is helpful in these strange times…