How to Support the Ethical Fashion Industry as a Young Family with a Budget: Fausthyara’s Story

I had the privilege of “meeting” Fausthyara via Instagram a little over a year ago. She is someone who I look up to in so many ways–as a follower of Jesus, as a mom, and as a person in general! Fausthyara and I connected because of our mutual love for small shops. She has a lot of experience as a brand rep for several handmade clothing shops, including my own when it was open. Furthermore, she is an incredibly talented photographer and has an eye for design and pairing pieces of clothing together–both old and new. She also has a lot of knowledge about how to support the ethical fashion industry on a budget. 

I love learning from Fausthyara about the various ways to support the ethical fashion industry. Most of us can’t afford to spend hundreds of dollars on new clothing–let alone when you have multiple children who seem to grow out of clothes every few months! Today, I have the honor of sharing my interview with Fausthyara regarding how she supports the ethical fashion industry as a mom to three young children. Her family is incredibly wise with their finances and uses a combination of shopping secondhand and supporting small businesses with intentionality. She sent me some of the beautiful pictures she has taken of her family along with outfit details, which I will share below. I absolutely love Fausthyara’s style, and I think we can all learn so much from her approach to sustainability!

Q: Can you please tell us a little about yourself and your family? 

My name is Fausthyara and I’m from Curaçao but living in the USA. My husband and I met in college and have since had 3 little ones. We’re a one income household and I stay home with our younger two. We love the Lord and strive to seek His direction in all areas of our lives as individuals and as a family.

Q: What are some things that you are passionate about and why? 

First and foremost I want to make God known, without Him there’s no life or the genuine enjoyment of it. Through getting to know God I’ve learned that I’m also called to steward the resources He has given me. This includes all of His creation, thus I’m also growing passionate toward living a more sustainable life.

Q: I know that you share a lot on Instagram about thrifting and sustainable/ethical fashion. Why is the ethical fashion industry important to you? 

I’ve always loved thrifting because I love finding items that are in working or repairable condition at a fraction of the original price. This also gives the item a new life and reduces a tiny fraction of waste. It’s fun hunting for things. As far as sustainable and ethical fashion goes, I wasn’t always aware of how much of an impact fast fashion has on the planet and on the workers. Now that I’m aware, I do my best to not support this industry by buying thrifted, secondhand, and from small businesses. But I’m not perfect in it–still growing and learning.

Q: Most ethical fashion industry brands are really expensive. I know there is a reason for this, but most of us can’t afford to buy an entire wardrobe of new, ethically-made products. I know I can’t! What are some ways that people can support the ethical fashion industry without spending way outside of their budget?

I love that ethically made clothing usually lasts a long time. There are many Facebook groups dedicated to reselling, buying, and trading ethically made clothing/shoes etc.. Another way is through having less pieces, what is known as a capsule wardrobe, but with pieces that can all match together. This allows for less spending and more intentional purchases.

Q: You’ve mentioned creating capsule wardrobes for your kids. What are some things you do to plan out their capsules? What are some challenges you have dealt with in planning out capsules?

I recently started doing this to help cut the cost of having to buy clothes for 3 growing kids. [For example], I go through their clothes to see what I can still use or what I need to sell/donate. I [get] clothes a size up so they can be worn for a longer period of time or different seasons. Next step is to buy secondhand first, then I look for small shop items–also secondhand and if not then directly from a shop. I’ve definitely encountered a few challenges like extreme weather conditions or not knowing what the weather will be like, and the usual unpredictable growth of kids. When we experienced the freeze in Texas and lost electricity last year, we only had warm clothes because we had just visited Colorado a few months before that and had to buy snow clothes.

Q: What do you wish you could tell someone who wants to live more sustainably but feels overwhelmed and doesn’t know where to start?

I’d say to start with what you already have. Mend the clothes, sew on the buttons and the zippers, patch the jeans, that’s the most sustainable thing you can do. Find groups of moms in your community that can use your kids’ clothes when you’re done with them and vice versa.

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I love how Fausthyara mentioned sustainable living is a way to steward the earthly resources that the Lord has given to us. I think we can all learn so much from her approach–starting with the clothes we already have and learning to mend and care for them. Then, shopping secondhand through thrifting, clothing swaps, or buy/sell/trade groups. Planning capsule wardrobes to make the most of fewer items, and buying kids’ clothing a size up for longevity. And finally, making very intentional purchases when choosing to buy new.

If you are looking for daily encouragement in faith & motherhood, outfit inspiration for young kids, and affordable ways to approach sustainability, follow Fausthyara on Instagram @mamafrostea. 

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