My Five Fashion Resolutions for 2008

The b5media beauty and fashion team is rounding up their 2007 reviews or 2008 forecasts. I thought I’d share my fashion resolutions for 2008!

1) Learn more about (and wear more!) local designers
I live in Toronto now, where the fashion scene is becoming stronger and more exciting. Not only is promoting and supporting local designers good for the designers–it’s good for the environment! There’s less transportation involved and there’s a possibility they are using local materials! Plus, their lesser-known status internationally should make their clothes more affordable!

2) Donate more clothes to charity
I have fat clothes, skinny clothes, clothes that fit I never wear, etc. Why should they hang out in my closet when they are perfectly good and someone can wear them? I plan to cull my wardrobe once a month. If it doesn’t inspire me or doesn’t fit (but is in perfect condition!!) out it goes!

3) Become a more educated consumer
I’ll admit, even though I write an eco-fashion blog, my wardrobe isn’t 100% eco-friendly. While Im not going to stop buying products I love, I want to become more informed about the labels and companies I do buy from. It might be enough to make me change my mind about that last purchase. And even if it doesn’t, at least Im more aware about the consequences of the decisions I make–fashion or other-wise!

4)Wear things more
I recently read the compilation It’s So You edited by Michelle Tea. (FYI, it’s a fantastic collection of essays from women writers and their experiences with fashion). There was one essay that really struck me–it’s better to own one fabulous piece and wear it a thousand times than own fifty pieces you throw-away. I read a similar anecdote in a fashion magazine–Americans look terrible because they have so much in their closet. I’m going to think more carefully about the pieces I choose and how they’ll fit into my wardrobe. Will I wear them a thousand times? Will even even last that long? Will this even be in style next season? This is tried and true fashion advice that I constantly ignore! Not this year! Besides, the less you own, the more the environment likes you!

5) Take Risks
Due to my huge distaste for buying things or diversifying my wardrobe, my closet is filled with second-hand cardigans, full skirts and tank tops. Tights and scarfs make it winter-ready. I call it the “Erin Balser Uniform.” It’s pretty, it’s eco-friendly and it’s expected. The other day I brought home a shirtdress and the bf was like “whoa, that’s totally different for you.” It made me realize I’ve pigeon-holed myself–I’m so concerned about being a good consumer by hardly consuming that I’ve become boring! This cycles back to the rest of my resolutions: get greener, get smarter, get nicer. Sounds good, eh?

Stay tuned for the round-up of resolutions and forecasts from across the board!