Shopping Sustainable on a Budget
photo: Reformation
by Christiane Salamat
With the amount of clothing that ends up in landfills every year, it’s become clear that shopping sustainably and ethically has become somewhat of a moral imperative for those with the means to do so. Therein lies the big issue of sustainable shopping: simply put, it’s expensive – a simple tank top from Reformation could cost four times the amount of one from a fast fashion brand.
You shouldn’t have to break the bank to achieve an eco-friendly wardrobe. It’s all about making informed decisions as a conscious consumer, and getting into the habit of thoughtful shopping.
NIX THE IMPULSE PURCHASES
You know when you’re at the mall and there’s a top that you’re pretty ambivalent about, but the deal is just too good to pass up? Those are the exact purchases that you want to think twice about. Thinking twice about buying a piece of clothing – especially one from a fast fashion retailer – can help you weed out the pieces that you don’t really love. Instead, consider buying pieces that are timeless, and can imagine yourself wearing beyond this season.
SHOP VINTAGE
Vintage shopping is not just sustainable – it’s literally saving clothes from the possibility of eternal landfill hell. You can find vintage clothes at all types of price points, and from just about any style or era your heart desires. Classic trends are always making a return to the fashion world, from satin lingerie slips to ‘90s chunky turtlenecks, so look out for hidden treasures at your local Goodwill. If there’s no luck at thrift stores, second-hand marketplace apps like Depop and Grailed make it easy to find the exact aesthetic that you’re looking for.
THINK QUALITY, NOT QUANTITY
It may be an old, clichéd adage, but it’s stuck around for a reason. Investing in a select few staples from higher-end sustainable brands is both an eco-friendly and minimalist way to curate your wardrobe. Instead of having an abundance of jeans that are just “so-so,” imagine having a few pairs that you can wear over and over again, and not have to worry about falling apart in the wash. Imagine!
-> THE ZIGGY CARPENTER / SPACE ODYSSEY JEAN by BOYISH JEANS $188
DO WHAT YOU CAN
The journey of a conscious consumer is an imperfect one, and that’s okay. It’s all about doing what you can within your own means to promote sustainable fashion, and adopting habits that bring you closer to your own ideal closet. It doesn’t mean you have to build from the ground up; instead, you can work with what you have while incorporating new pieces that you’re confident about. A few suggestions: limiting the amount of clothes you buy at fast fashion retailers, flipping and reinventing pieces you already have with tie-dye or embroidery, prolonging the life of your current pieces and taking special care of delicate pieces, and donating or selling the pieces you don’t want anymore.
