Published

4 months ago

October 3, 2025

Alice Rush

Personal style is a dance between dualities: fashion as art and fashion as function; clothing as self-expression and clothing for our circumstances.

Style is a medium for communication and self-expression, yes. But it’s also shaped by the environments and requirements around us, from workplace dress codes to city cultures, climates, and specific occassions.

In last Saturday’s workshop, where we talked about how to remix what you already have in your closet, attendees shared a common challenge:

How do you balance your personal style expression while dressing for the various situations and environments we operate in?

“I’ve found above all else my style is highly influenced by my environment (my job, my city etc.)—sometimes it becomes about ‘fitting in’ and losing individuality”

“I find I’m too led by my day-to-day lifestyle. I WFH and so often I just don’t get dressed at all.”

“There are too many applications: workout, work, at home, formal occasion.”

Style as Identity vs. Style as Communication

It’s no wonder style and getting dressed can feel so confusing.

In the personal style world, we learn to dress for who we are on the inside. And then we see the style rules in fashion media: here’s how to dress for this season, this dress code, this city.

And in our real lives, we have real dress codes we might have to follow, whether for a workplace or a wedding.

But what if all those sides conflict?

If my style words are “casual” or “sporty” but I’m in a workplace 40+ hours a week that requires business formal, where does that leave my personal style?
If I love vibrant and artsy looks, but I live in a city full of neutrals, what do I wear?

It’s no surprise it feels… complicated.

Here’s my take.

We’re Not One-Dimensional — Neither is Our Style

Sometimes I want to disconnect and live in cottage in the mountains, surrounded by more trees than people. Other days I dream of having an apartment in the center of Paris where I see more people in a day than live in my hometown.

I’m light, joyful, maybe even quirky with friends. I’m ambitious, intentional, perhaps more serious in work. There are times I feel it’s best to soften and let it go; other times it feels most aligned to be unapologetically outspoken.

We are human. We’re social creatures. We’re complex and full of contradictions.

Social media has trained us to fit people into neat boxes because “niche” is what performs in the algorithm.

In real life, though, our “authentic” selves aren’t so one-dimensional.

I’m not speaking to new networking contacts the same exact way I talk to my best friend I’ve known for years. That doesn’t mean I’m pretending to be someone else. It just means I’m showing up a bit differently depending on the context.

Similarly, our personal style doesn’t have to be expressed in one singular way.

That’s what’s beautiful about fashion! We have the opportunity to express ourselves a bit differently each and every time we get dressed.

What we wear might ebb and flow with a situation, the season, or our mood. There are common threads, but differentiators too.

Three distinctly different looks can all be authentic.

For me, personal style isn’t about being setting such rigid parameters that we can no longer embrace our multi-dimensional nature.

And there’s undoubtedly the layers of privilege at work here too. Is it safe to dress in alignment with your true identity in that particular situation? Will you be taken seriously? Could there be repercussions?

There’s a lot to untangle when it comes to what we wear.

Making Our Multi-Dimensional Style Practical

As I shared in last week’s workshops, style is many layers. The four I see it through are the vibe, the shapes, the colors & textures, and our lifestyle & values.

The aesthetic reflects your vibe, mood or style adjectives.

For example, my vibe or adjectives are feminine, structured, grounded.

The shapes are the fits, silhouettes, and proportions you love.

I often wear outfits with a straight silhouette or tailored fit balanced with a relaxed, flowy, or drapey element.

Colors & textures include your preferred palettes, fabrics, and the way materials feel.

I prefer wearing natural fibers when possible. I like gold jewelry, and I feel more aligned in lower contrast looks. Lighter colors for day. Sometimes darker for evening or certain events.

The lifestyle & values element is the consideration of your actual day-to-day. What situations and environments are you dressing for? What is important to you?

I work from home so comfort is key most of the time. I value slow fashion practices — rewearing, repairing, and supporting circular practices and sustainably-minded brands.

Once you understand these layers of your style, the next step is figuring out how to apply them in real-life situations.

Applying Your Style to the Situation

In last week’s workshops, I talked about the role of outfit templates here for various situations. What is the foundational blueprint of what you might wear to your office, working from home, in a school setting, at home, running errands, and so on?

There are opportunities to bring in the layers of your personal style in these various situations, but it does require some intentionally on the outset. Otherwise, it’s easy to fall into our old patterns or copy what others around us wear. (Even subconsciously, as fashion psychologist Shakaila Forbes-Bell has shared!)

Here’s one of my work-from-home outfit templates that balances style and situational needs:

Blouse with feminine detail: I start with the top for Zoom calls!
Straight-leg bottoms: this could be jeans, colorful pants, or a column skirt
Slim shoes: the general “slim” descriptor makes it versatile across seasons
Structured bag: an option to add polish when coworking at a café

By thinking in these various layers (vibe, shapes, colors & textures, and lifestyle & values) you can build outfits that feel authentic to you while fitting the constraints of the external situation.

What About One-Off Unique Situations?

Like this Wednesday evening, I spoke on a “Sustainable Fashion in Action” panel with Chicago Climate Connect during Sustainable Fashion Week Chicago. But the panel was also taking place at the Patagonia x Worn Wear store.

So the vibe was professional meets fashion, but also kinda casual?! And we are still in the Midwest here. I have to say, this one wasn’t easy.

But here’s the step-by-step thought process that helped me balance my style, function, and a unique-to-me context.

I picked a foundational piece: My navy wide-leg trousers were business casual without being too formal and were practical for train travel.
And functional accessories:My old Coach bag fits everything and my chunky Veja sneakers matched the vibe I was going for so those were the picks.
Then a piece that brought it all together:At this point I was mixing high-contrast colors (white with navy & black) and different vibes (trousers vs. sneakers). I felt like I needed a bridge for the outfit, and this navy-striped vest tied it all together.
Finally, some final touches: Gold jewelry made the look feel more “me”, while this cap from Abbie at The Filtery made it all feel effortless.

In the end, this outfit took a lot longer to create than a typical look.

It took longer to create than my usual outfits, but it felt just right. The combination was practical, suited my style, fit the vibe of the panel, and aligned with the weather.

The panel from left to right: Mireya Fouché (co-founder of Monarch Thrift Shop), me (mostly repping Conscious Fashion Collective), Macaila Britton (Sustainable Fashion Week Chicago) and Mackenzie Siren (Chicago Climate Connect)

This panel outfit reminded me that style is what we wear to express ourselves, but it’s also a tool to help us navigate our lives. By thinking through these layers of personal style (vibe, shapes, colors, textures, and lifestyle needs) we can balance showing up authentically while honoring the nuances or navigating the constraints of a situation.

For me, that’s the real power of personal style.

One single outfit can’t tell the whole story of who we are. But personal style can be flexible, functional, and expressive of the many sides of our multi-dimensional nature.

So lately, more than asking “does this outfit perfectly express my full self?” I’ve been finding myself asking:

“Does this outfit help me show up in the way I want to? Does it say what I want it to say in this particular moment?“

The post You’re multi-dimensional. So is your style. appeared first on .

You’re multi-dimensional. So is your style.

Green Living

Earth911 Inspiration: There’s No Free Lunch in Nature

Published

2 days ago

January 30, 2026

Alice Rush

Earth911 inspirations. Print them, post them, share your desire to help people think of the planet first, every day.

Editor’s Note: This poster was originally published on May 10, 2019. Yes, we recycle good ideas!

The post Earth911 Inspiration: There’s No Free Lunch in Nature appeared first on Earth911.

https://earth911.com/living-well-being/earth911-inspiration-no-free-lunch-in-nature/

Green Living

Guest Idea: 7 Solutions to Give Your Old Sunglasses a Second Life

Published

3 days ago

January 29, 2026

Alice Rush

In recent years, many of us have learned that “recyclable” isn’t as simple as we once thought. The single-use coffee cup is the classic example: its paper shell is fused with a thin plastic liner, rendering it un-recyclable in most facilities. It’s a “composite material,” a mix of things that are too difficult to separate.

A surprisingly similar, and often-overlooked, challenge is sitting in our homes: old sunglasses.

Just like that coffee cup, eyewear is a complex fusion of materials. Metal hinges are screwed into polymer frames, which hold chemically-coated lenses. This mix of metals, plastics, and coatings means standard sorting machines cannot process them. As a result, they are rejected as contamination and sent directly to landfills, where they contribute to non-biodegradable waste. Unlike a disposable paper cup, however, a pair of sunglasses is built for durability. Its high-quality components make it a perfect candidate for repair, reuse, or reinvention.

This guide provides 7 actionable alternatives to the landfill, designed to turn this difficult-to-recycle item into a valuable, circular resource.

1. The Most Impactful Fix: Replace the Lenses

For the most common issue—scratched or damaged lenses—the most sustainable answer is also the simplest. The frame, which is the most resource-intensive part to produce, is often in perfect condition. By focusing on a “repair, don’t replace” model, you can save an entire item from the landfill.

Action: This process is now easier than ever. Specialist companies like mine, The Sunglass Fix, allow you to order high-quality, precision-cut replacement lenses for thousands of models online. You can effectively restore your sunglasses to brand-new condition for a fraction of the cost—and with significantly less waste.

Swapping out scratched lenses is a simple, DIY repair that instantly restores your frames to like-new condition, extending their lifespan by years. Image Credit: The Sunglass Fix.

2. The Charitable Solution: Donate for Global Reuse

If your sunglasses are still in good shape, don’t let them go to waste. Just because you don’t wear them anymore doesn’t mean they are finished. By donating them, you give them a second life. There are millions of people who need eye protection but can’t easily buy it. Your old pair could end up helping someone see better and protect their eyes every day.”

Action: There are great groups ready to take them:

Lions Clubs International: The most famous option. Look for their yellow collection boxes in libraries and local vision centers.
OneSight: They run clinics to bring eyewear directly to communities that need it most.
ReSpectacle: An easy website that matches your specific glasses to a person who needs them.

3. The DIY Solution: Simple Home Maintenance

Before giving up on a pair, inspect it closely. Many “broken” sunglasses are merely suffering from minor, fixable issues. A wobbly arm or a missing nose pad might seem like a fatal flaw, but a simple home repair can often make them perfectly wearable again, saving you money and preventing waste.

Action: Most common issues can be solved with a basic eyeglass repair kit.

Tighten Loose Screws: This is the most common issue. Using a precision screwdriver, gently tighten the hinge screws until the arms feel secure again. If a screw is lost, most repair kits come with standard replacements.
Adjust Bent Frames: If your glasses sit crooked on your face, place them on a flat table to see which side is lifted. Metal frames can be gently bent back into shape with your fingers. Plastic frames should be warmed slightly (with warm water) before you gently twist them back to alignment.
Replace Old Nose Pads: If the pads are yellowing, uncomfortable, or missing, don’t toss the glasses. You can buy standard silicone replacements online. They either snap in or screw in, instantly making the glasses feel cleaner and more comfortable.
Fix Stiff Hinges: If the arms are hard to open or make a grinding sound, the hinge is likely clogged with dirt. Wash the frame with warm soapy water to flush out the grit. Once dry, a tiny drop of baby oil or lubricant on the hinge will make it move smoothly again.
Restore Faded Plastic: If your plastic frames have turned white or cloudy, they aren’t ruined; they are just oxidized. You can buff this white layer off using a soft microfiber cloth and a little friction (or a tiny dab of non-abrasive car wax) to reveal the shiny, fresh plastic underneath.

4. The Upcycling Solution: Create Unique Decor

Even when lenses are damaged beyond repair or frames are no longer wearable, the components themselves can be valuable materials for DIY home décor. Instead of sitting in a landfill for centuries, these plastic and metal parts can be upcycled into unique art pieces, giving new purpose to materials that would otherwise decompose.

Action: Re-frame your perspective and use the components for home decor. Multiple pairs can be combined to create a unique mirror frame, a 3D collage, or other decorative wall art, as highlighted by various home design blogs.

5. The Craft Solution: Fashion Custom Jewelry

The trend of upcycling fashion accessories is growing, and sunglasses offer endless possibilities. The colorful or mirrored lenses, in particular, can be transformed into new items. This craft-based approach turns a waste product into a one-of-a-kind wearable statement of sustainability.

Action: Gently pop the lenses out of the frames. They can be incorporated into unique DIY projects. Craft blogs demonstrate how to fashion them into pendants or one-of-a-kind earrings, completely upcycling the component.

6. The Garden Solution: Repurpose Components Outdoors

Even the most shattered parts can find a new purpose outdoors. The sturdy plastic or metal arms of a frame, for example, make surprisingly durable and waterproof plant markers for a garden or herb pot. Other broken pieces can be used for mosaics or small sculptures, offering a quirky way to bring sustainability to your backyard.

Action: Remove the sturdy plastic or metal arms from the frame. By writing on them with a permanent marker, you can create durable, waterproof, and quirky plant markers for an herb garden or seed-starting trays.

7. The Final Step: Responsible Material Separation

If the sunglasses are beyond saving and none of the above methods apply, you must handle the final disposal process manually. Recycling plants are designed to handle simple items like bottles or cans, not complex “mixed material” objects like eyewear. If you throw a whole pair of sunglasses into the mix, it is treated as contamination and sent to the landfill. If you want the materials to live on, you have to do the separation work that the machines can’t.

Action: Break the frame down into these four categories to ensure they get recycled:

Pop the Lenses Out: Press firmly on the back of the lens to snap it out of the frame. Even if the lens itself cannot be recycled locally, removing it is the essential first step to preparing the rest of the frame.
Strip the Hardware: Use a precision screwdriver to remove the arms, hinges, and any nose pads. You need to fully separate every piece of metal from the plastic components.
Consolidate the Metal: The tiny screws and hinges are valuable scrap, but they are too small for machines to catch. Place them inside a larger steel food can (like a soup can) and pinch the top closed so they are trapped inside and can be processed safely.
Mail the Frames: The stripped plastic frames are now ready for a specialist. Since standard curbside trucks typically reject rigid eyewear plastics, mail these specific parts to dedicated programs like Terracycle or Banish that can shred and repurpose them.

Redefining “Waste” in Your Wardrobe

A single-use coffee cup is a symbol of a disposable mindset—a product designed for a single use. In contrast, an old pair of sunglasses, once destined for the landfill, is a collection of durable materials and untapped potential.

By shifting how we view worn or damaged items, we can begin to see them not as waste, but as resources waiting for renewal. Moving beyond the linear “take-make-waste” model unlocks that value. Whether you choose to remanufacture your favorite frames, donate them, or upcycle them into a new project, each action contributes to a more sustainable future.

Small changes, repeated by millions, can make a measurable difference. Just as we’ve learned to carry a reusable mug, we can learn to repair our most-loved items. The next time you reach for that scratched pair, remember—repairing or reimagining them isn’t just creative; it’s part of building a more circular world.

About the Author

This sponsored article was contributed by Craig Anderson, founder of The Sunglass Fix. A problem-solver by nature, he left his corporate IT career after discovering the immense scale of waste in the eyewear industry. He is now a passionate advocate for the circular economy and a pioneer in the “remanufacturing” space, building a business dedicated to the simple, sustainable idea: repair, don’t replace.

The post Guest Idea: 7 Solutions to Give Your Old Sunglasses a Second Life appeared first on Earth911.

https://earth911.com/how-to-recycle/guest-idea-7-solutions-to-give-your-old-sunglasses-a-second-life/

Green Living

Best of SIYE: Culligan CEO Scott Clawson Maps The Future Of Water

Published

4 days ago

January 28, 2026

Alice Rush

Read a transcript of this episode. Subscribe to receive transcripts.

Turn on any faucet in America, and chances are the water meets federal safety standards. Yet Americans buy 50 billion single-use plastic water bottles annually—enough to circle the Earth 200 times if laid end to end. The bottles take 450 years to decompose, and recent research found that a single liter of bottled water can shed up to 240,000 pieces of microplastic that we ultimately consume. Meanwhile, 37% of global drinking water remains contaminated, with PFAS “forever chemicals” and lead appearing even in neighboring homes on the same street. Meet Scott Clawson, Chairman and CEO of Culligan International, the nearly 90-year-old company that’s become the global leader in water services by making filtered water more accessible than single-use plastic. Under Clawson’s leadership, Culligan serves 170 million people worldwide, and the company’s filtration systems have helped avoid the use of 45 billion plastic bottles annually.

Scott Clawson, CEO of Culligan International, is our guest on *Sustainability In Your Ear*.

The company has set ambitious targets: achieving net positive water impact by 2050 and cutting scope one and two emissions intensity by 40% before 2035. After completing WAVE water stewardship verification, Culligan discovered that even testing filtration equipment was wasteful, leading the company to develop dry-testing methods that eliminate water waste before machines reach consumers. The company has electrified 25% of its fleet and donated 9 million liters of water to communities in need in 2024 alone. Clawson’s approach to sustainability isn’t just operational—it’s personal. A decade ago, while vacationing in the Bahamas, he encountered a beach covered in plastic waste. “That’s when my inner balance was sparked to make sure we do more than just use our planet to make money, but let’s use our planet to help it be a better place to live,” he recalls. As water scarcity intensifies globally, Clawson believes the consumer holds the power: “Every time you pick something up off the shelf, you are voting. You’re sending a signal to a company.” His message is clear—test your water, understand what’s in it, and invest in point-of-use filtration rather than contributing to the plastic crisis. You can learn more about Culligan International at culliganinternational.com.