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29 September 2025

Math Class in Manolos: How to Outsmart Shoe Shopping in the Age of Sustainable Fashion

Remember when math seemed pointless in high school? Surprise: it’s back, and it’s about shoes. Yes, the secret to looking fabulous and staying solvent in the world of slow fashion is one equation:

Cost per Wear = Price ÷ Number of Times Worn

It’s not as sexy as a stiletto, but trust me, it’s the formula that separates impulse-buy regret from a smug “I told you so.”

Classic Styles vs. Trends: The Equation Doesn’t Lie

  • The Classic Pump: $300 at a sample sale NYC, worn 150 times.
    • $300 ÷ 150 = $2 per wear. That’s practically thrifty.
  • The Neon Feathered Mule (a.k.a. bad idea): $150, worn twice (one of those times ironically at Halloween).
    • $150 ÷ 2 = $75 per wear. That’s more than the Uber you took to the party.

See? A black pump is not just timeless, it’s cheaper than your morning latte habit. This is where the “quality over quantity” mantra of slow fashion really shines.

Repair, Don’t Replace

Here’s where slow fashion principles wink at you from the cobbler’s shop. Resoling those $400 boots for $60 extends their life by another 100 wears:

  • Original CPW: $400 ÷ 100 wears = $4
  • After repair: ($400 + $60) ÷ 200 wears = $2.30

Math doesn’t just save you money — it makes you eco-chic and aligns perfectly with ethical luxury fashion.

The Resale Twist

Luxury shoes don’t just age gracefully, they sometimes appreciate in resale value. Buy a $700 pair of Chanel slingbacks at a sample sale NYC for $250, wear them 20 times, then resell for $200:

  • True cost = $250 – $200 = $50
  • CPW = $50 ÷ 20 = $2.50

That’s cheaper than a sad slice of Midtown pizza and a prime example of ethical luxury fashion in action.

The Stylish City Strategy

  1. Do the math before you buy. If it’s over $10 per wear, ask yourself: is this a shoe or an emotional support fantasy?
  2. Hit sample sales NYC. They’re the cheat code for turning “unaffordable” into “smugly affordable” while embracing slow fashion.
  3. Choose quality over quantity. Shoe trees, cobblers, and repairs keep you chic and sustainable, embodying slow fashion principles.
  4. Resell like a boss. Platforms like The RealReal turn your shoe closet into a revolving credit line, perfect for the ethical luxury fashion enthusiast.

The Punchline

Being fashionable isn’t about owning all the shoes — it’s about owning the right shoes, wearing them often, and squeezing every stylish penny out of them. That’s sustainable fashion with a New York twist: math class, but make it slow fashion. By focusing on quality over quantity and embracing sample sales NYC, you’re not just following trends – you’re setting a new standard in ethical luxury fashion.


Posted by Mirela Gluck at 05:42 AM
Money/Save money tips |




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29 September 2025

Resale and Smart Shopping Matter More Than Ever in Fashion and Sustainability

The fashion industry is shifting faster than ever. Luxury powerhouses are consolidating, fast-fashion chains are collapsing, and tariffs are raising the cost of ultra-cheap imports. For consumers, that means one thing: the old way of shopping is gone. To stay stylish without breaking the bank—or the planet—resale and sustainable shopping are now at the center of fashion and sustainability.

Why the Middle Is Disappearing

Just a few years ago, you could walk into brick-and-mortar stores and find a wide mix of affordable fashion. Today, that middle ground is vanishing. Forever 21 just closed its U.S. stores, while H&M is tightening operations and quietly raising prices to protect margins. On the other end, luxury brands like Prada and Versace are merging into giant conglomerates, often increasing prices to preserve exclusivity.

Consumers are left staring at two extremes: ultra-fast platforms like Shein and Temu on one side, and high-end luxury on the other. The result? Fewer choices for quality, affordable sustainable fashion that lasts.

Why Resale Is Booming

Enter the resale market. Resale platforms like The RealReal, Vestiaire Collective, and Fashionphile are giving shoppers access to designer pieces at a fraction of retail cost. But resale isn’t just about savings—it’s about extending the life of garments and reducing textile waste. That makes it a cornerstone of sustainability in fashion: keeping clothes in circulation longer instead of feeding the landfill.

For younger consumers, resale is also cultural currency. A vintage Prada bag or a secondhand Margiela jacket isn’t just affordable; it’s a statement of individuality in a world drowning in fast-fashion sameness. This shift towards pre-loved items and secondhand shopping is shaping sustainable fashion trends and contributing to the circular fashion economy.

Smart Shopping in 2025

Smart shopping today means more than just bargain hunting. It’s about making informed, intentional choices that align with sustainable fashion trends:

  • Quality over quantity: Buy fewer sustainable clothes that last longer.
  • Resale first: Look for pre-loved options before buying new, exploring thrift stores, consignment shops, and clothing rental services.
  • Check sustainability claims: Brands are marketing “green,” but only some are truly investing in eco-conscious production. Be aware of greenwashing in the fashion industry.
  • Think local: With tariffs squeezing imports, supporting smaller and local labels can actually save money while cutting carbon emissions.

Why This Matters Now

As prices rise and fast fashion faces regulatory headwinds, consumers who embrace resale and sustainable shopping gain both financial resilience and style freedom. More importantly, every resale purchase is a quiet act of rebellion against wasteful consumption and overproduction. It’s proof that sustainability in fashion isn’t just an ideal—it’s a practical path forward.

The sustainable fashion market is growing rapidly, driven by conscious consumerism and a focus on reducing the environmental impact of clothing production. Slow fashion, which emphasizes quality, longevity, and ethical production, is gaining traction as an alternative to the fast-fashion model.

Bottom line: The future of fashion isn’t about chasing every new drop or stretching for luxury prices. It’s about resale and smart shopping—the strategies that make style sustainable, affordable, and personal. By embracing circular fashion principles, supporting brands that use recycled materials and eco-friendly materials, and considering the environmental footprint of our clothing choices, we can all play a part in shaping sustainable fashion for the future.



Posted by Mirela Gluck at 01:50 AM
Eco-Friendly , Money/Save money tips |




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29 April 2011

Bleecker Street is perhaps one of the few areas of New York City where the restaurant genre is limited to one specific style of cuisine. Renowned primarily for its Italian eateries and pizza joints, Bleecker makes no apologies for what some passersby might call a “limited” selection. Narrowing it down to the three best pizzerias is much like Sophie’s Choice for any pizza enthusiast, but if you want to sift through the sea of infinite dough, the following establishments are the unequivocal pizza powerhouses.

The obvious choice for any first-timer on Bleecker is John’s Pizzeria (located at 278 Bleecker Street). The no frills appearance of the restaurant could have something to do with the fact that the pizza speaks for itself, or maybe the fact that its walls have been standing since 1929. Either way, this pizza is sure to delight without breaking the bank. The most delectable pie combination comes in the form of pepperoni with sausage, tomatoes, and extra cheese (your pulmonary muscles may not thank you, but your taste buds will).

Roma Pizza (located at 259 Bleecker Street) is yet another one of many charming pizzerias with ambrosial toppings and combinations in the West Village area of Bleecker. What makes Roma Pizza stand apart from other competitors on this street is its “96 hours” philosophy, meaning the pizza makers let the dough rise for ninety-six hours before baking it in the oven. This gives the pizza a lighter air and is actually healthier because of how much easier it is to digest. Another notable fact about Roma Pizza is its location in what was formerly the legendary New York institution, Zito’s Bakery. Preserving the neighborhood feel that shopowner Anthony Zito perfected, Roma Pizza is a welcome addition to the increasingly corporate look of Bleecker Street.

The final contender in this trifecta of perfect pizza is Keste Pizza and Vino (located at 271 Bleecker Street). More upscale and expensive than Roma Pizza and John’s Pizzeria, Keste is consistently ranked as one of the best pizzas in New York, and has several gluten-free options, like the margherita, in addition to the customary flour-laden dough. One of the more expensive pizza restaurants on Bleecker, Keste’s menu features mouthwatering prospects that include the Pizza del Papa (butternut squash cream, smoked mozzarella, yellow peppers, and tomatoes), the Keste (bufala mozzarella, prosciutto di parma, tomatoes, gran cru, arugula, and olive oil), and the Salsiccia e Friarielli (Italian sausage, smoked mozzarella, and olive oil). For anyone crazy enough to pass up this pizza paradise, Keste also has an assortment of salad selections.

And so, to use a pizza metaphor, you can cut straight through the dough by attending one of the abovementioned pizzerias, as they are the most effective dining experiences for guaranteeing you’re getting one of the best slices on the Bleecker block—and in New York.

by Genna Rivieccio



Posted by Staff Writer at 12:00 AM
bargain news , Money/Save money tips |



Transform your inner Bourdain from a girl with a dream to a woman who can actually entertain.


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13 May 2010

I fancy myself a wonderful cook – not a great baker – but I know my way around a kitchen with or without a recipe. So when my mom,  and excellent Italian cook, suggested I take a knife skills class, I was astounded. I was stunned. I was nearly offended, but called Chelsea’s Institute of Culinary Education and signed up for a class with Chef Norman Weinstein.

knife skillsWeinstein was brilliant. He was patient, perceptive, precise and pretty cool to boot. He taught the class knife skills basics – the “proper” way – that decreases time, increases preparedness and makes cooking, especially for groups, inordinately more enjoyable. While my cooking skills haven’t changed much, my own personal experience has been transformed. I’m more patient, perceptive and precise. Plus, my kitchen is more laid back.
Not one to put all of my eggs in one knife skills basket, I intend to check out a few other knife skills classes in the city. Soho’s Sur La Table offers classes as well as the West Village’s neighborhood bistro CAMAJE. The French Culinary Institute also offers knife skills classes for the more serious amateur chef. And if you are just not sure, hire a chef for a private lesson. Sounds snobby, but actually it’s fun and affordable. Consider the hundreds of underpaid, overworked amazing chefs in the city. They revel in the idea of making something else, teaching and scoring some extra dough. Don’t know any? Feel free to email me and I can send you some referrals.

However you do it, transform your inner Bourdain and learn to properly entertain. The experience will sharpen your skills a hundred fold.

Emma Dinzebach



Posted by Emma Dinzebach at 12:00 AM
Bargain Hunting , bargain news , Money/Save money tips , TRENDS |



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