The Fashion Five
5 essential things to consider while shopping
While shopping ethically and sustainably is incredibly essential, overconsumption is the root of waste issues within the fashion industry. Even if you only purchased sustainable goods, if you do without the intent of longevity in mind, then you are still contributing to overconsumption and waste. I have found that oftentimes when I shop/consume without truly considering needs vs. wants, I often end up with more clothing than I need and items that I don’t even end up wearing consistently in the long run. As individuals, we must assess the way that we have been conditioned under capitalism to overconsume simply for the act of it. I have created a short guide of questions you can ask yourself when buying clothing to evaluate your needs vs. desires and maximize the worth of your spending choices.
Am I shopping for a specific need?
For example: have you completely outgrown all of the items you are looking to purchase?
Is that “need” a one-time event? If so, can you consider borrowing/renting the item you are looking for? If you already have multiple of that item, for example, a dress, then do you need to purchase a new one, or can you buy one from a thrift store?
While shopping simply for the pleasure of it can be understandable and enjoyable, oftentimes this can be a cycle/trap. I know that I have bought an item that I didn’t truly love and didn’t end up wearing it for months, if at all.
One of my rules of thumb is: don’t buy it unless you absolutely love it when you try it on.
When learning to streamline your closet the best thing one can do is only buy out of necessity and as a default, only buy items that you love and know that you will wear immediately.
This helps prevent impulse buys and eliminates purchases that will end in greater landfill waste.
Test Runs
Ask yourself: do I feel comfortable in this item?
If you are in a changing room with a chair, test how it feels to sit in the clothing
Test how it feels to move in the clothing
Versatility
One of the biggest problems I have is purchasing pieces that are difficult to pair with current items in my closet.
The best suggestion I can give to people is to always go for the basics. I find that unique pieces are better found at thrift and second-hand stores anyways.
Ask yourself: what are a minimum of 4-5 other pieces of clothing that I could pair with this item? Ask yourself if you can think of 4-5 outfits that you would wear this item with. This will allow you to quell the constant drive to purchase new items out of a false sense of “necessity.”
Longevity
Most ethically and sustainably produced items are intended to last long-term. Before purchasing items we must consider whether or not the items we purchase will serve for long-term use.
One of the largest issues facing the fashion industry and the future of sustainability is the amount of waste that we accumulate each year. By beginning to transition our purchases towards longevity we can make impactful incremental changes.