My ethical camping wardrobe

Layers. Layers. Layers.

That’s always been the number 1 rule to camping, and it’s still true. Since making the decision to shop exclusively ethically, I wondered how it would impact summer camping. Would I not want to bring my ethical pieces, for fear they’d get ripped or stained? Would I even be able to find the proper pieces?

I was surprised to find that the jeans, flannel, and t-shirts I reached instinctively for when I was packing were all ethical or vintage. Without even thinking, I had pulled together an ethical camping wardrobe (even down to the bag I packed it in)! My first camping trip of the year was full of good food, contour sketches, and canoeing.

This packing experience showed me that you don’t have to be afraid of where you’ll wear your clothes. You just have to be open-minded. They’re meant to be worn well, and that’s the beauty of it.

I realized that my go-to style was quite simple, minimalist, and uber-Canadian. Full of denim, button-ups and plain tees. If I could mash up the 2010s with the 1990s, that’s what my style would be. Being the same age that my mom was when she had me has given me a new appreciation for the trends of my childhood, and I feel like I’m getting a second chance to own the style I envied as a kid.

So, for camping? I maxed out the mom jeans and dad plaid.

Here were my go-to pieces:

1.  AGOLDE denim – ethical
2. Levi’s 505s – vintage
3. Levi’s jacket – vintage
4. ME to WE + PacSun crop top – ethical
5. Girlfriend Collective leggings – ethical
6. Roots long sleeve – old
7. Unlock Hope tank – ethical
8. “Mom” sweater – secondhand
9. Army button-up – secondhand
10. Beatles tee – old
11. Ontario Parks flannel – ethical
12. Blondie toque – ethical
13. Scottish hand-knit socks – ethical
14. Nepalese tunic – old

For shoes, I had some old sandals from the pre-ethical days, and ME to WE + Minnetonka moccasins. I can’t help feeling weird about the fact that even though they are ethically made, they were not made in partnership with indigenous communities.

Shopping consciously isn’t only about how it’s made. It’s also about respecting and supporting the communities where designs originated.

I was pretty amped to find out that Ontario Parks stores sell flannel shirts that are made in Canada, and they’re SO soft. They’ve quickly become a bus camping staple.

For reading on this trip, I kept on the Canadian theme with Richard Wagamese’s Medicine Walk. He’s honestly one of the best Canadian authors – every single word is chosen with weight and purpose – not a single breath is wasted.

Every night to bed, I was wrapped up in my mom’s old sweater (handed down to her from HER sister). Talk about an enduring style: grey terry with side-slits and a boxy cut.

I have a feeling that when summer comes into full force, I’ll need to bring some shorts into the picture, but for now? Denim and layers did the trick.

What are your camping style go-tos?

xo

Petraalexandra