How I Shop Sustainably in 2020
Given my degree is in Fashion - Fashion Promotion from University of The Arts London - it’s safe to say I am someone who loves fashion. Over the past few years though the concept of ‘see now, buy ASAP’ has emerged which is both ethically and environmentally detrimental. I’ve had to reevaluate my approach to shopping but my love of style remains, I just do things differently now.
It started a few years back when I started to Marie Kondo my home. That’s very much a process, not an event and I have noticed it’s come into how I shop, what I want to spend my money on and what adds value to my life. I used to buy things because they were on sale or on-trend or because I thought I might wear them but now I’m much more cautious and conscious. With clothing it has nothing to do with the actual cost of the item. It could be expensive, it could be reasonable but it has to be something I love and know I will wear a lot. Here on my site I cover a lot of food, travel and beauty but I want to integrate more style content here in the authentic way that I actually live.
These are my current values when it comes to personal style and what I buy:
Look For Brands That Work With Recycled Fabrics
Deadstock refers to fabric produced for a collection that was never used due to a flaw in the fabric or overproduction by the textile mill. Recycled refers to fabric upcycled from garments that had a previous life. Producing new items with deadstock or recycled fabrics can be extraordinarily sustainable for a couple of reasons. For one, the majority of water required for garment production is used to convert raw fiber into workable fabric and during the dye process. Upcycled textiles require very little water use unless the designer opts to re-dye this fabric for their collection. Not to mention that finished textiles repurposed for secondary collections are, by definition, secondhand. Making use of preexisting fabrics not only reduces required resources, it theoretically keeps fabric out of landfills by giving them a new life. (Source)
Before you buy Sell, share or donate what you are no longer using
Whenever I want to buy something new I always do a wardrobe evaluation before. This comes from a few years ago realising I was buying similar black ankle boots, black skinny jeans and navy jumpers every time I was shopping.. Often I will find pieces I have forgotten I had but also I’ll usually see a few items that I haven’t worn and most likely wont. Usually I decide to either sell those pieces online on Depop or else donate to a charity. My Depop username is HollyKateWhite if you’re on the app. Also keep an eye on Sustainable Fashion Dublin for their swop events - which look so fun!
Shop Secondhand
I am on Instagram a lot and some of the style bloggers I follow sell there clothes so I keep an eye out. I’ve bought a few pieces from a website called EBloggers where UK based influencers sell their clothes. I’ve been so happy with the pieces I bought and it’s lovely to feel they’re getting a second life. Two of my favourite dresses - seen below - came from there.
Try Outlet Shopping
I am a huge outlet fan as it’s an accessible way to get really high quality products. There are certain things I want to invest well in and going to outlets means I can afford better quality which in turn tends to last longer. Naturally I am a huge TK Maxx fan and I love Kildare Village. At some stage I want to go to Bicester Village in the UK as well as apparently it’s incredible. Outlet product can go along the same fate as Deadstock fabric so shopping there potentially saves product from landfill also.
Invest Well and look for Organic Cotton
Whether it’s a plain cotton t-shirt or an occasion dress I am more conscious now of the brand values I am supporting. Companies like Zalando have a great ‘Sustainability’ filter which I switch on before searching for anything. Products are highlighted with the Sustainability Flag when they meet social, environmental and animal welfare standards. Their criteria are aligned with internationally recognised best practice in the fashion industry, including the Higg Materials Sustainability Index and Textile Exchange's Preferred Fibers and Materials list and they also show third-party certifications such as Fairtrade and the Global Organic Textile Standard.
Consider Vegan Footwear
As someone who has lived a vegan lifestyle for nearly six years - like many I started with my diet, then I moved onto my beauty cabinet and now I am at the stage where a lot of my clothing is also vegan. Not all of it is but I try my best to make the right choice for me, and the environment. Again Zalando is brilliant as they have a vegan filter for footwear as do Marks and Spencer and also Penneys have introduced some amazing vegan products, including these boots which I am currently living in. Wills Vegan Shoes is a great company also and I wear their Fiona Oakes trainers all the time. Lastly for accessories I have both sold and bought bags in Irish company Designer Exchange. They sourced my current Stella McCartney vegan bag which I love!
Buy what you love, love what you buy
Style is how we express ourselves to the world and I can often tell what kind of mood or even day I’m going to have by how I dress myself. Ultimately it should be a source of joy and make you feel more confident and comfortable as you go about your day. I buy what I love, and if it happens to be on trend, fabulous, but that in no way dictates how I shop.
Photos - Sean Macnamee.
