This year I decided to do the "No Shopping for a Whole Year " pledge again . In 2017 when I took this pledge alone , I learned a lot and faced many challenges . What makes this year the pledge more exciting is that I have invited more people to join me and try the pledge even if it is for few days or weeks.
Ever since posted about this pledge, I have been getting many questions related to ethical and sustainable shopping. I love when people show an interest in ethical fashion and willing to change their shopping habits for sustainable life style. But many are worried that Ethical fashion means expensive !!!
The truth of the matter is , ethical and sustainable fashion doesn't have to be expensive and out of reach of everyone. You see , there are many ways where you can rock an ethical wardrobe without breaking the bank. You may be scratching your head and asking how is that even possible when shopping at ethical brands is costly compared to high street shops.
So I have done an extensive research on "how to build ethical & affordable wardrobe" within a budget .
Here are some steps to follow to build your own affordable ethical wardrobe:
1. GET ORGANIZED AND DE-CLUTTER YOUR WARDROBE
Before you start your ethical fashion journey, I suggest that you get organized and de-clutter your current wardrobe. Not only this will make your journey easy , but it will actually give you a mental clarity. Sort your clothes into three piles:
a. To keep
b. To donate
c. To sell
One thing to remember is that , you don't need to throw all your old clothes that are not ethically produced in order to have ethical wardrobe. In fact, keeping your old clothes keeps them out of the landfill and reduce fashion waste.
2. TAKE A GOOD CARE OF YOUR CLOTHES
Taking a good care of the clothes you own already is a great place to start creating your ethical and affordable wardrobe. Following the right steps of cleaning and taking care of your clothes will save you money and time in the long run. Believe it or not laundering your clothes has a great impact on the environment and it is crucial the you follow the right steps when washing your clothes.
Here are some ways you can preserve and take care of your clothes to make them last longer:
A. LAUNDRY CARE:
Read the care label and follow the instructions before washing the clothes. I know we all hate hand washing but trust me , best way to take care of delicate items is to hand wash them. If you can avoid using the dryer and instead air dry the clothes.
B. REPAIR . RE-PURPOSE .RE-STYLE
Nothing excites me more than doing a bit of Do It Yourself when it comes to re-fashioning old clothes. Re-pair any ripped items, up-cycle stained and broken pieces . If you do not feel confident in repairing , you can always take them to your local tailor to help you. There are some amazing Youtube and online videos that you can learn how to sew and repair your own clothes.
3. SHOP QUALITY OVER QUANTITY
Be mindful shopper when buying clothes . Make a mental note on what you really need to buy before you even set inside the shop.
Make sure you buy less and choose better quality clothes that will last longer. When you invest in high quality items it will save you money and time needed to repair them. Make sure to choose clothes that are made from high quality natural and eco friendly materials . Train your mind the idea of investing in long term pieces instead of what is on trend .
4. BUY VINTAGE AND SECOND HAND
There are many benefits when it comes to buying vintage clothes; Fast fashion makes us all look like we stepped out from the same shop, while vintage pieces are unique and high quality piece of art. Nothing can be more green than giving old clothes into new life. Also buying second hand pieces is another great way to reduce fashion pollution and helping the environment .
5. SUPPORT ETHICAL BRANDS
Finally , the best way to build an ethical wardrobe is to shop from ethical and sustainable brands. Here are some of my favourite ethical brands to start your list ;
4. SMYTHE Canadian ready-to-wear brand known for their high quality blazers.
6. OBAKKI Effortless, modern styles from Vancouver.
6. RESEARCH
Take it slow and do your own research when building your ethical wardrobe.There are many resources out there both online and off line written about this subject. Leading a sustainable and ethical life doesn't have to be difficult we just need to attain the right knowledge and educate ourselves deeper.
