Shopping sustainably in 2023 isn't just about avoiding fast fashion. As individuals, we have a responsibility to do the best that we can to look after this world and consume responsibly. If you're interested in finding out how you can become a part of this responsible movement, you'll be pleased to know that there are many things you can do to build sustainable habits while shopping, whatever your income.
Here are a few tips.
Invest in quality
Remember that quality is much better than quantity. Even if you’ve not got a large budget when it comes to shopping for designer women’s shoes and other garments and accessories, you should try opting for the more high-quality pieces over the budget options.
While there are some good quality pieces in budget fashion, the majority of cheaply made and therefore poorly made. You may find that what you bought cheap, doesn’t last as long as something that you bought for double the price.
Again, it doesn’t need to be expensive, but the choice in quality of materials is important to note.
Be selective about who you shop with
When it comes to where you shop, be selective. It’s something that is harder to do now that there is so much available both online and offline. With so many brands popping up, it’s easy to get caught up in buying from a variety but that doesn’t always mean you’re getting them from sustainably-conscious companies.
With that in mind, it’s important to be selective about where you shop, looking specifically for those who have sustainably-led practices and initiatives in place. If you're really unsure of where to shop, you can typically never go wrong with vintage and thrift e-shops. It might take a bit more digging, but there's always a treasure to be found for much less than it could cost if bought new. You might want to try browsing apps like Depop and Vinted, as well as online stores such as Vestiaire Collective.
Only buy what you need
When making your purchase, be aware of what you are buying, opting for only what you need. This is important because it’s very easy to spend a lot when shopping. The wandering eye when you’re in-store or online can take hold and before you know it, you’ve got a lot more than you intended to get.
If it helps, have a list and when it comes to deciding on items, only get what you really couldn’t go without.
Try your DIY skills out
When buying online, you might find that you could make a lot of the clothing that you wear. While it might not be possible for everyone, especially as some may possess fewer crafty skills than others, it’s worth doing.
Try your DIY skills out by purchasing materials or garments that you could stitch up or Frankenstein into something new.
Reduce your returns
While there’s much more flexibility in being able to return items for free or at a small cost, you want to consider carefully what you want to keep and what you really do need to return. Every return, after all, contributes to the carbon emissions that you and the business in question are producing collaboratively.
Shopping sustainably can be a challenge but it is doable. Make use of these tips to help with your sustainability for fashion this year.