Its personal
There is a trend or perhaps I should call it a challenge doing the rounds, inviting people to buy only 5 items this year in a bid to curb excessive shopping habits and be more sustainable, if you read this column regularly you will know I am a massive advocate for sustainable fashion and I try to inspire others to become more sustainable in their choices, but (there is always a but) due to budget, circumstance and lifestyle we each have to approach sustainability in a way that works for us, allow me to explain.
Many of the people I have seen broadcasting they bought only 5 items in 2023 or plan to in 2024 are those who have worked in the fashion industry for many years, they will have amassed a vast amount of clothes, some they have purchased and some they have been gifted, giving them a very well established wardrobe, meaning the 5 items they purchase this year will be merely icing on the cake. The same goes for anyone taking on this challenge that has been working in a well paid job for a number of years, having had the ability to purchase “forever” items, they too will have a well established wardrobe.
Just to be clear the 5 items includes everything, for all seasons including footwear, swimwear, accessories as well as clothes, while I haven’t seen a laminated set of rules I’m under the assumption underwear and hosiery are classed as necessities and therefor excluded.
When asked what 5 items they had chosen in 2023, given the fashion caliber of the people interviewed its no surprise to hear each item was tasteful and well thought out, however they were on the whole expensive, such as a designer handbag or a fabulous but pricey bikini, which for some people even if they saved up their available spend might take a few months to afford. While this approach to shopping might teach us to save and buy wisely, what it fails to acknowledge is that this person may have been purchasing designer handbags and fabulous bikinis for many years and have an array, not just 1.
2024 might be the first year you have disposable income to begin to build your wardrobe and buy your forever pieces, you may have recently become a parent, if so this year your lifestyle will change dramatically and leave you with gaps in your wardrobe (if you have a toddler it will leave you with holes in the knees of your jeans too) you may be heading back to work after having a family and need to build a wardrobe that matches this new chapter in your life, while work places might have adopted a casual dress code your sweatpants probably won’t be enough.
Like I said, budget and circumstance all play a part in sustainability and each of our choices will be different for that reason, I will always encourage you to make sustainable choices where possible, such as avoid the fast fashion chains that churn out tat, choose natural fabrics and better quality that will look new for longer and allow you to wear on repeat or buy pre loved / second hand.
You do you, boo.
