In the Trenches of Climate and Fashion
+ SO many vintage coats all under $400
Last week on Instagram, I asked, “What fall pieces are you looking for secondhand?” The top request was trenches, which since many of you are in NY, it’s of no surprise as we faced weeks of rain and unprecedented flooding last Friday. Heavy rainfall's increasing frequency and intensity are direct consequences of a warming planet. Warmer air can hold more moisture, leading to more intense rainstorms when they do occur.
Cities like New York were not built to handle the exacerbated heavy rains therefore leading to the type of flooding we saw last week. Infrastructure investments made following Hurricane Sandy were directed towards coastal flooding and sea level rise, rather than the heavy rainfall itself. So what type of better urban ecology infrastructure could help not only manage excess water but also create a more sustainable and resilient city?
Urban areas like NYC, have vast expanses of impermeable surfaces (concrete and asphalt) that prevent rainwater from being absorbed into the ground. Instead, water quickly runs off these surfaces, overwhelming old drainage systems and causing flooding.
Here are some solutions that can help us better manage heavy rains and mitigate flooding while also promoting sustainability:
Green Roofs: Installing green roofs on buildings help absorb rainwater and reduce runoff. These roofs, covered with vegetation, capture and store rainwater, releasing it slowly over time. They also provide habitats for insects and birds for increased species biodiversity. Brooklyn Grange has an excellent resource on green roofs, you can use it as a pitch deck to ask your residential or office building to install one!
Composting: Compost enriches soil and improves the soil health. Adding compost to soil helps with water absorption which then reduces erosion and runoff during heavy rains. By incorporating compost into soil management practices, communities can enhance resilience to flooding and promote sustainable land use. You can help by bringing your food scraps to a compost site instead of throwing them away. Great news, starting this week NYC has a city-wide compost collection, you can request a brown bin here.
Rainwater Harvesting: You can rain harvest using rain barrels and cisterns, In New York, you can request a free rain barrel from your local elected official. These collect rainfall from your roof and then can be used for gardening, or other outdoor water needs, which can then help reduce water demand from the city's supply while mitigating flooding.
As extreme weather conditions are expected to become more frequent, a trench might need to become a staple in your closet. Instead of purchasing a new one, I've curated a collection of 24 vintage trench coats. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, fill out this form, and I can source another one or something similar for you!
Tips for ordering vintage trenches:
Don’t focus on the given size, vintage sizing is not the same as current sizing and to achieve an oversized look you likely want to size up anyway. Instead, get a soft tape measure and check your measurements then compare against the ones in the listings. (If they don’t have them listed, always reach out to the seller and ask!) Measure your shoulders, if you want an oversized look then add 3-5 iches to your body measurements, then measure where on want it to sit lenghtwise. The joy of the vintage trench is how you choose to style it! Need help, feel free to reach out!
Women’s Sized Trenches
Men’s Sized Trenches don’t sleep on these ladies, men’s outerwear can give you that perfect oversized look #mensweardontcare (iykyk)
Darker Shades Trenches
As a reminder, since these are vintage and secondhand finds some items might be sold out by the time you click on a link, maybe even by another subscriber! If you are disappointed about missing out on something or looking for another size or price point, fill out this form, and I can source another one or something similar for you!