Sustainable Wardrobe On A Budget

It's commonly argued that sustainable fashion is supposedly more expensive than fast fashion, a large reason for people buying so much into the fast fashion industry. This is majorly due to its cheap fabric and poor construction, compared to many sustainable garments that are made with higher quality, longer lasting fabrics. In comparison, these will last much longer than a fast fashion garment, which are intended to last merely a couple months before being thrown away and replaced.

Before thinking about buying new garments, doing a wardrobe clear out is a great idea to ensure you know what items of clothing you are missing or need to buy. This could also result in you finding that missing piece you completely forgot about!

THE BUDGET

So as the title suggests, let's talk budget. A good starting point towards your sustainable wardrobe is to create a budget prior to you going out shopping if you need to buy something new. Whilst creating a budget, it will be advantageous to find out how much spending money you actually have available at the end of the month, preferably after paying off those bills. After finalising a budget you have available to spend, its time to think about the avenues you can try in shopping sustainably.

LISTS

To-do lists, shopping lists, bucket lists.. the list (sorry) goes on. You may have guessed the next point refers to lists, which will be beneficial for you to write prior to purchasing anything new. Thus, avoiding the risk of spending those extra pounds when you find that cute top in store. Writing a list will help ensure that you stick to the items of clothing you need, placing the garments you need most at the top.

RESEARCH

Researching may seem like a pain for some people, but doing so in relation to searching for the latest news on sustainable fashion will be very valuable. Following ethical blogs and fashion brands on Instagram is a good way to interact with people who are passionate about the fashion industry too. These may offer more guidance on the range of options in shopping sustainably whilst keeping on budget too.

Another tip whilst researching is to check out for certification standards, commonly presented as evidence a brand is working on sustainable practices. Be aware of greenwashing, which many brands do to trick consumers into thinking they are doing good for the environment but really aren't. More on greenwashing and how to spot it can be found in a previous post here.

SHOPPING SECOND-HAND

It can be said the obvious option to consider is to shop at charity shops, offering a range of benefits. Thus, including raising money for that charity, giving an item of clothing a new life and finally, offering you a new garment to wear at a bargain price! It has been argued whether it is ethical to buy fast fashion garments from charity shops. If you purchase a fast fashion item second-hand, this doesn't generate more profit to the fast fashion brand who created the garment. Also, one of the biggest problems in the fashion industry is over-consumption and the tonnes of garments that end in landfill. Aren't we avoiding the garment from possible landfill if we purchase it and offer it a new home?

RENTING

An avenue you could dive into is garment renting, where you can rent out an item of clothing between a few days or weeks. Have a special event coming up? Renting that perfect dress could be the best option for you if you're only going to wear it once. You get to enjoy wearing that gorgeous dress without leaving it to sit in your wardrobe never to be worn again. This will also help with the issue of over-consumption within the industry.

SUSTAINABLE FASHION BRANDS

Do you want that brand new clothing feel but are still considerate of the impacts of the fashion industry? Searching for sustainable fashion brands may be the best alternative for you. A previous post was written on 'An Intro to Slow Fashion' which shares a selection of brands that may love. Don't forget, choose quality over quantity and focus on investment pieces that you can wear for years to come.

Finally, spending that little bit extra on a much higher quality garment will benefit you in the long run!

Happy budgeting!

Sabrina Cowper | Reform Your Fashion