Think before you buy
Having previously posted about fashion brands, I thought it would be a good idea to try to write a more personally helpful post.In my journey to a more sustainable lifestyle, I have learned many tips and tricks to aid in my endeavour. I would like to share four of them in the hope to help those who are also just beginning to dive into the world of sustainability.
- REPAIR it before you get rid of it
Most of us have some clothes in our closet that were purchased at fast fashion brands, and that’s okay! Because these clothes are made from cheap material, they don’t often last long, but before you think about throwing it away (I hope you never throw it away) you should first try to repair it. While that may sound a little scary I promise you don’t need a sewing machine to do so. It is relatively easy to learn how to hand sew minor fixes which go a long way. However, if the garment is at the end of its life you can opt to use it as something else like a cleaning rang, this ensures that it stays out of the landfill.
2. BUY WHAT YOU NEED, NOT WHAT YOU WANT
As consumers we are conditioned to buy cheap and buy now. While some consumers may not be educated about a garment’s social and environmental impact, those of us who are can still fall victim to our desire to shop. By controlling our urge to splurge we can help shape the landscape of consumerism. We do not need to buy into EVERY trend because they’ll fade as quickly as they came. A lot of clothes get tossed into landfills simply because they are no longer in style. When you shop, take a minute to speculate if you really need that dress, or if you’ll wear that shirt more than thirty times.
3. CHECK SECOND HAND FIRST
Whenever i’d shop online, I used to be an avid visitor to most fast fashion websites. I’ve changed my habits to begin my search through second hand markets, in order to help limit my environmental impact and avoid clothes going into the landfill. It’s okay to buy new, but if you’re going that route you should look into brands that attempt to limit their carbon footprint and put sustainability at the forefront of their operations.
4. HAVE A WAITING PERIOD
We’ve all been victims of a Target impulse buy. What was supposed to be a small shampoo run turns into a cart full of hyper consumed goods. One thing that has helped me limit my spending is the introduction of a self-imposed waiting period. If I see something I like on the rack, I first try to find something similar second hand before I buy new. If I fail in locating something, I will wait two weeks before going back to the store to make my purchase. The environment and my wallet thank me.
I hope these minor tips can aid in your development for a more sustainable life.Trying to be sustainable can be overwhelming. It can feel like no matter how much you try, how less you buy, and how conscious you attempt to be, you can always do more. But we have to remember that any change is a big one. Whether we’re shopping less or just being more conscious about where we consume, we are helping the world in some way shape or form.
L.H
