Across the boroughs of NYC, a new wave of Creatives is making sustainability stylish, merging fashion with environmental consciousness. These innovators showcase how second-hand and upcycled pieces can create stunning, one-of-a-kind looks. From thrifted maxi dresses to super stylish Pucci shades, their outfits are as sustainable as they are fashionable. At the same time, their reusable cups serve as both functional accessories and symbols of their commitment to reducing waste.
Rose Mae Turner (Rosie)
Occupation: Slow fashion designer + Textile artist, Vintage archivist, & Climate creative.
Astrological sign: Scorpio
Ethical OOTD + Cup details:
I’m wearing a Custo Barcelona tee (from an epic stoop sale in Chicago a decade ago), My mom’s vintage 1970s turquoise necklace, silver chain belt (from my friend Luda’s closet), thrifted Levi’s from Upstate NY, Emilio Pucci shades, thrifted Dolce & Gabbana heels (from the Salvation Army), Pink Wilson’s Leather bag (from The Goodwill Bins), gifted vintage leather jacket, Rosina~Mae upcycled headband (designed and sewn by me) & my pastel Stojo cup.
With my wardrobe being quite colorful, I love to use my reusable cups as just another fab accessory. I think that being mindful of the environment is truly quite easy if you make it fun.
It’s also a way to save money as some cafes now give discounts for bringing your own mug/cup.
Sabs Katz
Occupation: Cofounder of Intersectional Environmentalist + Content Creator
Astrological sign: Capricorn
Ethical OOTD + Cup details:
In the summer I gravitate towards natural and breathable materials, so I really love this 100% cotton maxi dress that I thrifted from L Train Vintage. The Tevas are super comfy, the hat is a classic summer accessory, I’m sporting my favorite cotton tote from Local Roots, and the sunglasses chain are my favorite outfit staple.
I love a classic wide mason jar and this one is perfect for so many reasons: I can use it for coffee, as a water vessel, it can hold leftovers, or just serve as anything I need a small container for.
Yelle Belle
Occupation: Brand Strategist for Sustainable Orgs
Astrological sign: Gemini/Cancer Cusp
Ethical OOTD + Cup details:
If my reusable cup didn’t match me, I probably wouldn’t reuse it as much. All my clothes are pastel with a heavy focus on lavender and light blue. I found what I call my “circus conductor” blazer from the Manhattan Vintage Show. I have plenty of pink in my closet including this 2000s Coach bucket hat that I kept from middle school and my mom’s silk bandana-like halter top from the 90s. My bangles were samples rescued from my former roommate’s fashion job. And I’m an imperfect environmentalist wearing unsustainable pants, shoes, and shades.
My reusable cup is something I purchased years ago before I was as sustainable as I am today. Therefore, I didn’t research the brand like I would have today. I keep reusing this cup because it’s a thermos that keeps my hots hot and my colds cold for a whole day. It functions way better than a thin single-use cup. Baristas love telling me that I match my cup and I love responding with how it’s cute being less wasteful!
Gianna Lum
Occupation: Co-founder of Climate Cafe NYC. Tech reporter by day.
Astrological Sign: Sagittarius
Ethical OOTD + Cup details:
The entire outfit is purple (my favorite color) and second-hand! There’s so much waste in this world, and it’s always fun to bring a new life to pre-loved items. My dress was from my college roommate who was an exchange student from Germany who couldn’t bring her whole wardrobe back with her. I got these butterfly hoop earrings at a swap in Harlem for exchanging plastic containers for the artist Von Wong’s exhibition on the High Line. Both cups are unbranded.
The purple reusable cup was from a clothing swap for Climate Cafe NYC’s first birthday party. There was an ugly corporate logo on the cup, so I decorated it with women in stem stickers that a friend in Seattle mailed to me in a letter! My silver reusable mug is the only item that was gifted, not swapped or thrifted. That mug is super light to carry around in my bag and was a freebie on orientation day when I was a graduate student at the Columbia Climate School.
Andre Hirschler
Occupation: Writer / Producer
Astrological Sign: Scorpio
Ethical OOTD + Cup details: All my outfits are worn until they fall apart. 🙂
Just like a book, I truly love how my 12oz Stojo also fits in my back pocket. I have everything I need to spend a waste free day at the park with no bags/ cups.
Jaegi Lissade
Occupation: Economics and Environmental Studies Student
Astrological Sign: Cancer
Ethical OOTD + Cup details:
I’m particular about the colors I wear; it’s either cool tones or neutrals. This romper layered under the skirt came from a friend’s closet, and the shoes were found during a clothing swap.
The tumbler itself is from the brand Welly and was saved from ending in the landfill after it was chipped (superglued back together). I’m a big advocate of preventing unnecessary waste as is showcased by my outfit and cup.
Rachel Ceruti
Occupation: Founder of Reclypt
Astrological Sign: Taurus
Ethical OOTD + Cup details:
My shoes are secondhand from eBay, skirt from ThredUp, tank top from Mango (during my old fast fashion days), necklace is a gift from a friend from a charity shop, & upcycled bag by aNY Bag.
I love my Stojo cup for a lot of reasons, but my top reasons are: it doesn’t spill and compresses to easily store in my bag! I want everyone to have one, so much so, that I included one in the gift bags for my sister’s bachelorette
Sammie Claire
Occupation: Artist, Performance Artist, Organizer, Program Coordinator in the Renewable Energy Industry, Environmentalist, model, Freelance Artist + Model
Astrological Sign: Libra
Ethical OOTD + Cup details:
This cup was gifted to me at CAMP (“Calling All Magical People”, a cute little intimate campout in Maryland that my friends put on every year in July). I love it so much because it is one of my favorite colors (pink!), and hooks easily to anything I’m carrying / wearing (especially useful while hiking + camping + traveling) with a carabiner. I’ve been a dancer all my life and was a collegiate climber in college, so carrying this cup around in this way pays homage to that part of me / that part of my life, in a way. There is so much power and importance in this connection:: the power of strength, as a woman (and navigating society as such, defying stereotypes and norms in all moments).
I cherish and have so much love for the ways that my own fun, cute, and “unlikely” practices of environmentalism / activism have shaped not only the way that I live my life on the daily, but also my Artistry. I am constantly inspired to reimagine the world I live in, and to call in practices of individual and collective joy whenever and wherever possible 🙂 It’s all connected!!!!! 🩰♻️🧗🏼♀️☕️
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