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Being fashionable and being sustainable can go hand-in-hand, and it really should, but I also see where this mindset comes from a place of privilege. I love following fashion bloggers because of their creative and impeccable styles and photographs. I have always enjoyed personal style and I used to love cutting out photos of models and clothes from magazines to make my own paper dolls as a kid. I love dresses and I love creativity and most importantly I love textiles and patterns. When watching a movie or television show, I love the fashion choices. I adore the way certain fabrics and textiles are woven and dyed.
No matter who you are or where you live or what you do, clothing is important in some way for keeping you covered in public, for warmth in the cold, protecting you from the elements, for religion or spiritual reflection, for proper work attire, athletics, as well as for personal expression. Clothing is important to everyone in some way. With fashion becoming easier to afford, export over great distances, and easier to find in stores and online, there has definitely been a buying boom when it comes to clothes.
“Most brands are not sustainable and the ones that do put in the extra effort are usually much too expensive for the average person to afford.”
When it comes to living with enough, I champion the cause. Shopping sustainably and being mindful of what you spend your money on is important. And even though fast fashion is known the whole world wide to be problematic for the environment, for the people who make them, and for the health of humans and the world, I also do not believe in shaming people who buy them. There is a better way. It all comes down to wealth and privilege. Most brands are not sustainable and the ones that do put in the extra effort are usually much too expensive for the average person to afford. There is a lot of hidden shame that comes with sustainable fashion and the fashion world in general. And I’m not just talking about big brand names, but smaller brands as well. I love Everlane and Madewell for their sustainable practices, and although they are not “luxury” brands, they are in fact a luxury. If you can afford a pair of jeans priced between $78-200, that is a luxury to most people, a luxury that many cannot afford. And while we understand the costs behind the prices, it is still not accessible to the average shopper. Reasonably priced or not, many cannot afford that much for a single pair of pants.
Fast fashion is taking over the fashion industry from Amazon to Forever 21, H&M, Old Navy, Shein, and nearly every store you see at the mall these days. It is all fast fashion. If you occasionally shop at these places, then you cannot shame other people from shopping fast fashion. Almost all of it is fast fashion these days. Sustainable brands are only sustainable for those who can afford to buy it.
“Sustainable brands are only sustainable for those who can afford to buy it.”
While I see many bloggers share their favorite clothes, I just want to remind you all that as pretty as those clothes may be, most people cannot afford (or are willing to spend their hard earned money on) $300+ dresses, coats that are several hundred dollars, or tops that are $50 or more. There is a fashion blogger that I absolutely adore, but most of the outfits she shares are between $700 and $1000. It is a luxury and a privilege. And that luxury is what is also fueling the fast fashion industries. When people are advertised all these clothes and styles continuously that they cannot afford for themselves, they will turn to fast fashion brands that emulate those styles at much lower prices so that they too can have what others do.
It is a responsibility of all fashion bloggers to support sustainable fashion to the best of their ability or to at least share sustainable and attainable options for their audience.
I am not saying any of this to make anyone feel bad. I just want us to stop shaming people who do shop fast fashion and try to understand why. Chances are, we are also guilty of shopping unethical brands, often without even realizing it. If we slowed down our fashion consumption and focused on more timeless styles, we could cut down on the fast fashion industry. If we stopped trying to inspire others to shop thoughtlessly, we could make a difference. And if we put more time and thought into developing affordable and sustainable brands and options, then we could change the fashion industry for the better. We do not have to stop shopping altogether, but if we do so smarter we can truly make our closets better for us and the world.
“I just want us to stop shaming people who do shop fast fashion and try to understand why.”
And if you are shopping fast fashion because you cannot afford clothing otherwise, then I don’t want you to feel shame. It is the industry that must change, not you.
I will admit that most of my clothing comes from stores like H&M, Old Navy, TJ Maxx, and Forever21 because I cannot afford above those prices. I try to shop less and shop organic and sustainable items when I can, but it is not always possible for me. I need to wear proper clothing for the office, so I find all my blazers and tailored clothes at H&M because they have the most affordable prices for the styles I need. And while I would never spend hundreds on one piece of clothing, even if I could afford it, I would be happy to spend a little extra on more sustainable brands, especially for clothing that is better made and longer lasting if I could afford to. I did order my first pair of Everlane jeans this year (on sale) because I believe in their process and I know that it is a pair of jeans that should last me many years to come. I would not have been able to afford them in my early twenties. It was a privilege to be able to buy that one pair.
So if you, like me, find yourself shopping fast fashion brands out of necessity, I do have some sustainable tips to help you lessen your impact.
One. Be very picky.
By this, I mean, absolutely search everything about the item you are shopping for before you buy it. Are the reviews positive? Does it fit the model right or is the model in the photo hiding a part of the outfit with their arms or angle? If you are going to buy a cheaper item of clothing because you cannot afford the more expensive brands, make sure it is actually something you will be happy wearing. If something is “off” about it, then you won’t wear it and it would be a waste of money. Sometimes because something is cheaper, doesn’t mean you should buy it. Really shop around to make sure you buy what you are looking for.
Two. Save up.
Instead of buying the cheap brand, can you perhaps save up for a higher quality and more sustainable version? Sometimes you can’t because you need something right away or buying the more expensive version just is not an option for you. Saving up takes time, but it can be worth it for items that you will use frequently and hope to keep in your closet collection for many years to come.
Three. Only buy pieces that you LOVE.
Like a Cold Stone ice cream, there are clothes that you like it, love it, gotta have it. Don’t settle for clothes that you simply like. Make sure that every piece you buy is something you absolutely love. This ensures that you buy less junk and more pieces that you will keep around for years to come. You want to open your closet or dresser and love everything you own, not feel like you have nothing you want to wear because the item doesn’t make you feel or look good. So make sure you love it, not simply like it, before you buy it.
Four. Thrift.
If you are looking for something specific, try thrifting for it. You might just find a higher quality item that costs less than fast fashion by shopping around at your local thrift shops. You can also host clothes swapping parties with friends.
Five. Borrow, don’t buy.
With sites such as Rent The Runway or even borrowing from a family member or friend, chances are you can borrow that occasion outfit instead of having to buy it. If you are looking for an item that you will only wear about once a year or even less, it might not be worth buying it for keeps. Borrowing is always an option many people don’t even think to consider.
Six. Can you wash it?
Is the material so badly sewn that it will fall apart? Is the fabric so thin it will shred or rip? Can it even be washed or will it fall apart in the washing machine? These are all important questions to ask yourself when shopping for a new item. If it cannot even be washed, it won’t last and is not worth buying. Even the most sustainable items are not sustainable if they end up in a landfill after one season.
Seven. Will you wear it three years from now?
We all know the negatives of fast fashion, but for many it is inevitable that we shop that way. We can still purchase fast fashion items and be more sustainable as long as those items are worn for at least three years or more. If you’re buying an item that is so cheaply made or trendy that you will not be wear it next year or three years form now, it is not worth buying. It’s bad for the environment, bad for the people who make it, and bad for your closet. Just like thrifting, actually wearing and maintaining the clothes in your closet is the best way to be sustainable right now.
Eight. Practice appreciation.
Appreciate what you have. Fill yourself with gratitude. Instead of buying new every season or every time you see an advertisement, try making styles out of clothing that you already have. Every once in a while go through and reorganize your clothing to see what you have and wear what you have not worn in a while. This practice of gratitude will help you to shop less, stay stylish, and be more sustainable. Practicing appreciation also helps us to shop less and to prevent shopping in excess. And that truly is the most sustainable practice anyone can start to have a better impact on the environment and our wallets.
Let’s stop the shame and practice sustainability to the best of our ability.
Altogether, mindfulness in shopping is the best way that we can have a more positive impact with out shopping choices. Sometimes that is the choice to not shop or to not shop in excess. How do you shop sustainably?
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