My first thoughts of 'Sustainable Fashion' evoked images of up-cycled potato sacks and plastic bottle top earrings. Neither of which I can really imagine sitting too well in my wardrobe...
However, after a little research I realised that this definitely does not have to be the case. Although, I applaud anyone who can rock a potato sack!
So, I've come up with a list of my top 7 Tips when it comes to trying to shop a bit more mindfully.
1.
Charity shops - These are my absolute go to when it comes to quick and affordable clothes. There's a cancer Research near me where everything if £3 or less. You cant grumble at those kind of prices!
2.
Vintage Shops - These can be a bit hit or miss. They are a pain in the backside to look around because theres SO much stuff! But when you find that one item that fits perfectly. Oh my, thats a very, very good day and all the hours rummaging becomes worth it!
3.
Online shops - Etsy, Ebay, Depop and ASOS Market Place - These sites are all full of hand made and second hand clothing. Great if you want to quickly narrow down your search by size, price or style.
4.
Clothes Swap! - If you've got friends that are a similar size to you then hold a clothes swap were you can exchange clothes that you no longer want. Best part is that its free and you can clear out some space in your own wardrobe. Throw in a quality 90's chick flick and you've got yourself a pretty awesome evening...
5.
Invest - Sometimes its better to just bite the bullet and spend a little extra on something which you think you'll get a lot of use out of instead of buying several cheaper items that you'll need to repurchase within a few months.
6.
Do your research - Some brands are more ethical than others; H&M conscious collection or ASOS 'Green Room' are good examples of brands that have really started to think about the sustainability of their clothes (they're not super expensive either!)
7.
Check the label. Where is it made? - Usually if something is made in Europe then the workers standard of health, safety and general well being is much better than if something is made in places like Bangladesh, Mexico or China.
Another thing to keep in mind before making a purchase is - Do you really need it? Or, have you really wanted it for a long time? - Asking yourself these questions before buying lots of items that you might only wear a handful of times allows you to not only save money but also reduce material waste!
Lola
xx
