In my last blog post on fast fashion I promised I'd share some tips for reducing the amount of fast fashion we buy, so here it is! Below you'll find lots of options for keeping your wardrobe fresh without giving into the temptation of fast fashion as a quick fix.
If you've got good intentions to stop buying fast fashion but it's feeling like an overwhelming challenge, why not take part in Oxfam's Second Hand September? Or if you want to start right now, you could do your own version in August instead! Once you've completed a month, hopefully quitting forever won't seem as hard.
And if you do end up buying fast fashion, don't give up completely. Just like with any lifestyle change, slipping up is often inevitable, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with it. Admit that you made a mistake, return the item if you can (or if not, make sure you get good wear out of it), and carry on with your commitment to buying less fast fashion. Lowering the amount you buy is still amazing compared to not trying at all, so don't let one mistake cause you to undo your hard work!
Make the most of the clothes you already own!
I read online recently that the most sustainable option for clothing is to use what you already own. It's easy to brush that off and say you need a wardrobe refresh or there's something you must buy, but before you hit the shops, ask yourself these questions:
1) Do I already own something I could wear instead? 2) Has anyone I know got something similar I could borrow? 3) Have I looked in charity shops/ online to see if I can get it second hand?
If you still want to buy the item, then ask yourself: 1) Do I know if the workers who made it are being treated fairly? 2) Have the materials used been sourced sustainably? 3) Will I wear it enough that it's worth buying new?
Visit you local charity shops
If I'm going to be completely honest, before going to university I'm ashamed to say that I had a very stuck-up view of charity shops. I thought they were full of worn-out cast offs that all went out of style years ago. When my housemate suggested going charity shopping, I just looked at them blankly. Growing up in a town that only had a couple of tiny shops, I couldn't see how it was going to be a fun way to spend a Saturday. I couldn't have been more wrong.
Turns out, when you're in a place with a decent amount of charity shops and great company, it's a very fun, pretty cheap activity. The best things to remember to help you have a successful trip are:
- Don't go in looking for a very specific item. The chance of the first charity shop you look in to have exactly what you're looking for (and in your size) is unlikely, so go in with a positive outlook about all the possibilities of what you could find. You'll be surprised at what you find!
- Take some of your own items to donate. This way, you can have a declutter at the same time, and you'll have more room for your new treasures.
- Make friends with the staff. Often, charity shops are run by volunteers so an extra smile or kind comment is sure to be appreciated. I've found they sometimes give you an extra discount on items too!
Discover the wonders of Depop
Depop has become an extremely popular platform for selling clothes, especially for younger generations. It's easy to use for both buying and selling clothes and often at a cheaper price than buying them new. I'd recommend only going on when you actually want to buy something specific because going on 'just to have a look' is likely to end up in you buying at least one item- or more if like me you have no self-control when it comes to shopping.
When I first got Depop one of my friends did warn me that she knew people who bought clothes from fast fashion websites and then would sell them on Depop straight away for a profit. I couldn't believe it when she told me, but when you look at the amount of clothes being sold that people claim they've never worn, and for a price that isn't exactly a bargain, it's not surprising.
So, if you do buy clothes from Depop, I would recommend only buying specific items you want that you haven't been able to find in a charity shop. Using second hand websites is still better than buying directly from a fast fashion store, but be mindful about what you do choose to buy, and if you can, try and look into the seller's intentions behind the clothes they are selling.
Support independent businesses
Most people I've talked to about changing clothing habits were concerned about the cost of swapping to independent, sustainable brands. It's true that these are often pricier than high-street shops, but it opens our eyes to an honest reflection of the price of making clothes that are sustainably and ethically conscious. Yes, the clothes from shops like Primark might be cheap, but at what larger cost?
If there's local independent shops near where you live, then these are great places to pick up some unique items! You'll be supporting both the local economy and somebody's dreams of running a small business, so have a look at what's available near you. Also, buying clothes from these shops means you can ask the owners exactly how the clothes were made, and it's easier to get advice, personalisation, and/ or adjustments.
If there's local independent shops near where you live, then these are great places to pick up some unique items! You'll be supporting both the local economy and somebody's dreams of running a small business, so have a look at what's available near you. Also, buying clothes from these shops means you can ask the owners exactly how the clothes were made, and it's easier to get advice, personalisation, and/ or adjustments.
There's some great independent brands available online too if you love online shopping, and lots of them are transparent about the production of their clothes if you look under about/ information. Here's a few of my favourites:
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