Don't buy this now
Buy this now, Don’t buy anything new for a year, The new season pieces you need, Wear the clothes you already own, Repair, Sell, Replace, Update. Are you finding the messages around fashion confusing? The push and pull between those hell bent on keeping the wheels of fast fashion turning (Are those influencers really shopping for clothes in Tescos?) and those determined to offer an alternative slow fashion message are very conflicting, Such opposing views can make fashion feel so serious we begin to switch off but let me reassure you can enjoy fashion and prioritize both sustainability and your spending, Here's how.
Take messaging such as “6 shoes you need for this season” Apply this common sense rule and ask yourself A. Who requires 6 new pairs of shoes in a season? and B. Based on our individual lifestyles and tastes, How can each of us find use for the same 6 pairs of shoes? So next time you are faced with an article such as 39 new pieces to add to your wardrobe this season, Apply the same rule.
When we see or hear someone suggesting (sometimes feels more like telling) us that we should try and not buy anything new for a year, or perhaps limit it to 4 items, Again this is a great idea if you have always been a life long chronic over consumer and have a wardrobe full of clothes, It forces you to look at your spending and what you are buying and avoid mistakes and further over consumption BUT what if you have always been careful and this was to be the year you built up your dream wardrobe? What if your lifestyle has changed and you now need totally different clothes than those you own? You can't / shouldn't apply this rule, Leave it to those with racks full of hardly worn garments.
Buy the clothes you need. But perhaps instead of purging on multiple pieces from various trends, Try shopping with purpose, Buy pieces that you will wear often, Look for natural fibres over man made and if you feel certain items are out of your budget, Shop pre loved, There is a whole world of previously owned clothes out there with which you can improve your wardrobe whilst on a budget.
While I am a huge advocate for making the best use of the items you own, There are exceptions and we should accept the limitations without guilt, For example denim, A slow fashion mindset may make us hold on to jeans that no longer fit us, If the rise is too low or the leg too tight, They chafe or leave indentations on your person when you take them off. Sell or donate.
Some things never change and ill fitting denim is one of them.
