Sustainable Shopping, Does It Exist?
Overconsumption and consumerism became the main traits of modern shopping – people spend thousands of dollars on things that they don’t need and barely use. Tons of never worn clothing, unopened Christmas gifts and birthday presents end up in the garbage bin and go to landfill.
Sad story, isn’t it?
Here are a couple of tips on how to become more conscious while shopping – it will help us to save the planet and your family budget as well!
Buy less or rent
The first and absolutely obvious is – to buy less! Each time when you are purchasing something, ask yourself a question “will I use it?, “how many times will I use it?”
If you are going to use it only once – consider renting services or dress hire. You can get stunning designer clothing that you wear for this specific occasion and it doesn’t get dusty staying in your wardrobe for years!
Related: Can The Hosiery Industry be Sustainable?
Buy quality over quantity
A classic of conscious shopping: buy quality over quantity! Leather shoes will last for years and years, a good pair of linen pants will be trendy and will make you happy season after season! Yes, you have to pay more for quality goods, but money spent on this purchase will 100% pay off!
Check this blog post on the Cost Per Wear topic, it helps to understand the real value of each dollar you invest in your wardrobe: Cost Per Wear (CPW) or To buy or not to buy, that is a question.
Buy second hand
Thrift shops are another sustainable way to get your wardrobe updated without that guilty feeling! Giving a second life to clothing, and miscellaneous things and looking for hidden treasures like vintage or designer pieces can be so much fun! Recently I have found pair of gorgeous Salvatore Ferragamo shoes for $15 (instead of $895 in-store) and you have to see my face each time I wear them!!!
Buy natural fibres clothing
Another option is when buying good quality clothing is to look at the labels of the fabrics to see what they are made of. Often the fabrics of cheap clothing are made of non-renewable fossil fuels and are, therefore, called petrochemical textiles. Examples of “plastic” based fabrics are:
- Acrylic
- Nylon
- Polyester
- Spandex
Opt instead for natural fibres clothing, that yes, might need some ironing after washing from time to time, but at least it doesn’t create microplastics when it’s rolling in your washing machine. These types of clothes will stay in good quality for longer and will last for years. Examples of more sustainable natural fibres for your clothing are:
- Organic cotton
- Denim
- Linen
- Wool (unless you’re vegan)
Support small businesses
Last but not least- support small businesses around you! It’s a lot healthier for the economy and the planet when you buy from local businesses supporting craftsmanship and creativity in your area. Less shipping and transportation means less carbon footprint, fewer emissions and a cleaner Earth!
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Olga Bryukhovets
Ossom
An Ukrainian designer based in Brisbane, Australia. After being in Fashion for 12 years as a model and working in over 30 countries all around the world, in 2018 Olga decided to share her passion for good clothing and accessories by starting her own brand.
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Explore the range of slow fashion eco-brands in our directory.
