In Brookings, South Dakota, a local consignment store is doing its part to help the environment by educating members of the community and shifting their perception of fashion sustainability. 

Sustainable fashion awareness and education are key if there is ever to be a shift in perception. Within the community, there is a lack of education and understanding about fashion sustainability, but Trendz Consignment has been slowly changing the game in their town by providing easily accessible sustainable clothing. 

Karen Weisbeck, owner of Trendz Consignment, has been a leading force in her community as a woman on a mission to normalize sustainable fashion. After taking over the business two years ago she has turned it into a sustainable and affordable second-hand store with a focus on “reinventing” people's idea of thrifting. Where many see the idea of buying used clothing as “dirty” or “soiled,” Karen sees an opportunity to give back to her community and environment.

Fashion sustainability is not a new concept. For decades it has been evolving and shifting with culture, yet it is still not a common practice in society. However, in recent years there have been major pushes towards the normalization of “fast-fashion”. 

The fast-fashion movement supports the idea of cheap and easily available fashion, at the expense of the environment, labor conditions, and clothing quality. As a result of this ever-growing movement, many see fashion sustainability as unattainable or too expensive, mainly focusing on ideals that are out of reach. 

“We must start small,” Karen said.

Consignment stores such as Trendz provide a great example. By taking clothing to a consignment store or thrift store, it offers a second chance to those clothes, the environment, and also flattens the curve of fashion pollution.

The average American throws away 81 pounds of clothing a year, resulting in 85% of clothing ending up in landfills. Buying less, wearing clothes longer, and donating clothes instead of throwing them away can also reduce the harmful impacts of the fashion industry.

These statistics are the reason sustainability education is important. To help the environment thrive, educating members of the community on the simplicity of everyday fashion sustainability is key.

There is personal responsibility each individual must take in order for change to happen in local communities. Abby Weisbeck, co-owner of Trendz Consignment, shared insight on how she keeps herself accountable. She asks herself daily what she can do to make a difference and then takes action. 

Each small step taken is another big step towards the end goal of nourishing the environment and providing easily accessible sustainability.

Taking small steps ensures the accessibility to sustainable practices in everyday life, from shopping second-hand, to donating your clothing, to forgoing single-use bags.

Other options also include rethinking online ordering habits. Forgo buying from places like Zara, H&M, or Target, companies that are contributing to the fast-fashion movement and instead choose to support small businesses that are dedicated to using sustainable sourcing.

Thriving second-hand stores also means accessibility. Karen, who is one of nine kids, grew up in a household that used these stores as an opportunity for clothing that might not have been affordable if bought new.

At a young age, she was introduced to recycling and the importance of being knowledgeable about the footprint humans leave on the earth. It was a commercial on TV that sparked her passion for sustainability as a child. It is clear that even the smallest exposure to how accessible sustainability can be makes a major difference.

Growing up in a home that utilized thrifting instilled in Karen a greater understanding of the need for these establishments. 

As personal experiences drove her to open her own business, she held herself to the idea of building an affordable and environmentally friendly clothing store. The store has become a beacon of second-hand fashion in Brookings and developed into a place where the community can see the beauty of shopping sustainably.

Written by Isabella Janssen