@randtntx Depends on the fashion needs but here are a few of my practices.
1) Pet beds - old cotton/polyester pillow cases from mu supply or the thrift store, stuffed with old folded cotton towels or washed wool fibers (I have a large supply). Pets puke, pee and shed need something that can be washed without too much work and non-toxic. Can be folded to fit a chair or placed on the floor.

2) Traveling with only 1 suite case is a good way to learn how to create multiple outfits using a few basic cloths and accessories.

3) If a knitter take a look at Plymouth yarns. The few years I owned a yarn shop, Plymouth had better quality natural yarns than any other company and for significantly less cost. The family owned business has long standing ties with producers.

Higher cost, but fun - attend a local fiber market. Will be amazed at the creative energy.

4) During my working years didn't have the time for sewing and cloth had become more expensive than ready made. Bought a lot of natural clothes at 2nd hand store because they showed less wear, were repairable and looked expensive. As you mentioned it is being conscious of our choices. Sometime buying new is the right choice, we just try not to let it be the default choice.

is proving to be a far reaching and multi-dimensional problem. Environmentally and in economies around the world, overconsumption is incredibly damaging. We all know this but it is helpful to reiterate it, so thank you.

I know I am as wasteful with my clothing purchases as are many Americans. Part of the problem is that we find that we need an item NOW, and so we have to go and buy it. If we could think ahead a bit we might make better choices by modifying something we already have, or by borrowing something. Additionally, it is often cheaper to buy an item of clothing than it is to make it. I know for a fact that if I knit a sweater with good quality wool yarn it will be more expensive (and time consuming) to make that sweater than to buy one.

I just bought a new dog bed and a mat for the dog. If I had been thinking ahead I could have made those things myself with extra fabrics I have that I am preparing to donate to one of those clothing bins you describe above. I know there are how-to videos that show how to knit or crochet strips of fabric to make mats and rugs and pads for chairs.

I am going to have to adopt your crankiness. Being thoughtless about all this is only going to hurt the planet and other people. Even though it often takes more time, effort, and energy to use what I already have, I just have to dig in my heels and stop with the overconsumption. If everyone does this, it would help.

Chris Hedges was just talking about consumerism in this country. He noted how after WWI, the advertising industry changed the tendency towards frugality to one of consumption. We have been going down that path and wreaking havoc ever since.

@Lookout Thanks for the inspiring story of a local business and new generation still trying. Zanco and Little River Sock Mill

So many people have no idea what high quality natural products feel next to the skin. Poor fitting and nonbreathable socks can lead to foot discomfort, which leads to pain, then to pain meds and then to side effects.

yeah, right.

I'm a fan of second-hand stores. I'm not much of a shopper (other than my weekly trade day - which is really as much a social as shopping occasion). The local goodwill is kinda the upper-class used store (shirts or pants $3-5), but there's Attic Treasures second-hand stores where shirts, pants, coats, are $1 each. I've bought nice things at both stores. In fact I have on a (now stained and well used)shirt with monogrammed cuffs (at one time a fancy business shirt I bet). I'm also wearing a $1 pair of used jeans. You don't have to participate in the normal capitalist system if you look around.

That said I need to fess up that I often use the Amazon monster for all kinds of items which I can't find local, or are only available at the Wall-Mart. However, especially with books, I buy used items from them as well.

I've never been one for synthetic fibers. Here in the south cotton is king. I also like wool clothing this time of year...especially socks (which are locally made for the most part). At one time the town where I taught was the "Sock Capital of the World"
http://blog.al.com/huntsville-times-business/2011/04/the_decline_of_the_...

One of my grown students re-opened a mill to produce sustainable socks made with naturally colored organic cotton. They are not cheap, but we've bought some to support her effort.
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/31/fashion/sock-business-alabama.html

So like you, I promote natural, local, and sustainable products when I can. Producing your own food, building your own projects, and being as self-sufficient as possible helps weaken the capitalist strangle hold on our society. We do what we can.....

All the best!

@mhagle His video was very informative. Thirteen leaves is the magic number for onions. Just had an Open Thread Monday discussing the special properties of 13.

Had planned on growing onions this next season ans was going to do some research before plant buying season. Thanks for the head start.

Wow. That is much worse than I realized. And I also was unaware of the process of selling used clothing in Africa. And some assholes enrich themselves?!? So when I take used clothing to Salvation Army or Family Services it goes to the rich??

Though your pictures of snow, lamb, and locks are wonderful.

Learned a significant gardening thing this week. My neighbor gave me an onion set catalog. The whole thing was dedicated to everything onion like. Here is their website: http://www.dixondalefarms.com/

I learned that different varieties of onions need different daylight. There are short day onions, intermediate day onions, and long day onions. I have been planting long day onions. I just plant what they sell at Tractor Supply or Atwoods. No wonder my onions never get very large.

Been thinking a lot about growing plants that do well in my area, but not in a traditional sense at all. In my part of Texas at least, stores do not try to sell the plants and seeds that thrive in this area. Vegetable gardening expectations among gardeners are very low, so it probably does not impact sales.

Will say more on this later if I can. Time to drive a kid to piano lessons.