Shopping with a conscience has been on the up for some time now. Consumers are now much more clued up on the impact that their decisions have on the environment. From plastics in packaging and microfibres to the production process and worker conditions, there’s a massive amount of information to navigate. So it’s sensible and right that garment producers take responsibility in order for consumers to make the right decisions. The most fundamental way that you can shop more eco-friendly is to is to avoid fast fashion. But which are the best ways to do this?
Rediscover your Wardrobe
Amazingly, the average person wears just 20% or their wardrobe 80% of the time. That’s a whole lot of clothes hanging around in your wardrobe with nowhere to go! Take a bit of time to rediscover what’s already in your collection. You might find that, actually, you rather like that skirt that you’d totally forgotten you had, or those jeans that have come full circle and are bang on trend again!
Shapewear
Maybe you just never wore something because you didn’t quite like how it hangs. This is where shapewear can help. By smoothing and refining your silhouette with a shaping cami or shaping shorts, you could breathe new life into a whole new section of your wardrobe without going shopping at all!
Spend on Quality
When you do need to buy new clothes, look for high quality fabrics and production. These garments may cost more but they will last longer, likely fit better, and score high in elegance.
High Street Values
When you buy from a brand, you’re investing in their values. This is especially true and hard to navigate on the high street. So make sustainable brands your first port of call for new off the peg garments. Source from openly and long standing ethical brands like Patagonia.
Choose Slow Fashion
There are an increasing number of slow fashion designers revolutionising how we shop. Just order and wait a couple of weeks and you’ll have your new outfit and the knowledge that your purchasing decision hasn’t contributed to clothing waste and landfill. The added bonus of this made to order model is that the size ranges on offer are really inclusive. Check out Birdsong for garments in sizes 6-30. Tøj London carries a made to order collection in sizes XS to XXXXL. In addition you can shop a limited pre-made range made from deadstock fabrics.
Select a Trend
We know you may not want to hear this… but you don’t have to have EVERY trend out there! Perfect the art of selecting one, maybe two, trends that you think will work for you. Let’s remember that not all trends work for every body shape. With a bit of awareness about shapes, prints and cuts, you can avoid making those shopping errors that end in ill fitting purchases hidden in the back of the wardrobe!
Hire By Occasion
Special occasion attire requires something elegant and glamorous and – well – one off! So why buy a dress when you can hire one? If you’re not going to wear an outfit more than once, it makes both financial and eco sense to borrow. Indeed, for the price of hiring a dress you may find that you can afford something more designer and really turn heads! Make sure that you try it on wearing the control briefs that you’ll use for the occasion to make sure you get the best fit.
Explore Pre-loved
Call it second hand, vintage or pre-loved, the used clothing world is more than just charity shopping. It’s hard to do in the flesh at the moment, but online clothes swaps and re-selling sites are popping up all over the place. Soon enough, charity shops will be back and community swishing (clothes swap) events will start up again. Clothes swaps especially are a wonderful resource. Not only might your unworn clothes find a new home, but someone else’s could be perfect for you. Everyone wins, including the environment!
Becky is an author and copywriter who has been writing about women’s issues and underwear for several years. She also writes blogs which cover a range of topics for local businesses.
