Marcus: I never had much money as a teenager or when I went to University – so I started to buy second hand when I was 16. Back then it was still really cheap and I became a little hunter for cool stuff. Later when I earned my first money I started to spend money on Sneakers or other brand stuff that I liked. After a while I realized the enormous pressure of the brands marketing. One day they tell you black is the big thing, the next day they are all about white and so on. It’s all a big game and it’s your own thing if you want to play it. In the end I was looking into my wardrobe and saw enough sneakers, sweaters, jackets and Tees to wear for a lifetime. I realized that I just don’t need anything anymore, at least for the next couple of years. I think if you just have some all time classics you can look slick anytime. In the end it’s just about the small details of how you wear something to show if you understand the urban codes.
Anna: That’s one of the reasons why I’m right in the middle of the experiment of buying no new stuff for one year at the moment. Might not sound so very difficult for some people, but for me it’s a new kind of lifestyle, because I used to be a big shopper for years. By trying how no shopping feels, I soon realized, that my personal style truly doesn’t need so many pieces. I think I’m still a little bit more interested in consuming than I’d like to be – and I’m always totally into good clothes and looking good in my fashion, but I’m sure when my test-year is over, I’ll buy much less, more of what I really want and stuff I’ll wear and love for a long time.
And what happens when your clothes are all worn out?
Marcus: I think when I would really need something new I would first look out for some Second Hand stuff. This is always the most sustainable because it was already produced and you don’t need any new resources. Second I would look out for Fair Fashion items. There are some really cool new brands coming up with alternative productions.
Anna: Nothing more to say! Oh, maybe there is: Swapping! Or checking out the borrowing system of kleiderei.
In this photo Marcus is sitting on a dresser – is this his natural work habitat?
Marcus: Haha, no. It was a quick self-portrait for a Blog post. But I really love to work not sitting at a desk.
You two are a couple, do you think it would make a difference if the other person did not care so much about nature and sustainability?
Anna: In our work-life? Sure! We wouldn’t run this blog together. And in private… hmmm. Maybe. But for me green lifestyle is all about awareness, and I think whenever one partner, family member, friend or colleague is into sustainability with his heart and without heavy preaching – the people in their environment usually will find more awareness for sustainable topics, too.
Marcus: Yes. I think everyone should decide for themselves how much effort he or she wants to put into a sustainable lifestyle, but I think if anyone really thinks about this topic you just can not do nothing. If you have the knowledge about what’s going on and you don’t care – I would call that ignorant. I think it is our goal to tell the people about the possibilities they have towards a more sustainable lifestyle.
