When it comes to clothes shopping and my fashion footprint, I typically head straight to the thrift store. I’m a thrifting girl through and through in order to reduce my fashion footprint as much as possible. Most of you know that I actually rent my clothes. However, every once in a while I’ll see something in the store window that I absolutely love. That is when I stop and think about this one rule I have when shopping for clothes.
This year has been all about sustainability and refocusing my consumption habits. Honestly, this has been one of the greatest lifestyle shifts for me and my wallet. I did a deep dive into the fast fashion crisis and was completely torn apart to see how clothes are discarded like paper towels. I may be one person, but I am one person who decided to say NO to fast fashion and I haven’t looked back. So let’s dive into this a little more.
What is fast fashion?
According to BBC “The term describes the quick turnover of fashion trends and the move towards cheap, mass-produced clothing – with new lines constantly released.” Essentially, your cheap SHEIN find is doing more harm than good. It’s so easy to fall in love with a piece of clothing that your fave influencer just posted and it’s under $15, but that price point is what is causing this overconsumption crisis.
What is the overconsumption crisis?
Fashion Revolution posted “The number of clothes the average consumer purchases has increased 60 percent between 2000 and 2014, and the clothes are kept about only half as long. The fashion industry entices customers to buy volumes of on-trend clothing, usually of cheap quality at low prices.” Partners like Amazon, BooHoo, Forever 21, Zara and H&M to name a few make it so easy and affordable to get a new clothing haul every single week. As consumers, we end up with clothes we never even wear, or “get bored of” after the season. These clothes end up in landfills all over the world, directly adding to the climate crisis.
Many “slow fashion” companies are emerging – offering fewer new pieces a year, all of which have a lower environmental impact. But not everybody is prepared to pay for them.
My 1 rule I follow when shopping new clothes
The Rule of 30
If you are looking for an easy way to start dressing more sustainably, follow the rule of 30. The Rule of 30 is where you consider if you are going to wear this item of clothing at least 30 times. It forces you to pause before clicking “buy” and ask yourself, ‘will I actually wear this 30 times?” If the answer is not 100% yes, then you don’t make the purchase.
Tough love moment: You don’t need to fulfill your impulse buy. Let the moment pass.
This doesn’t mean you can NEVER shop new. Most of us are not actually going to stop shopping. The Rule of 30 is designed for those looking to reduce their fashion footprint. This reduces overconsumption, and impulse buys, and allows the purchaser to really think about if this is a piece they love, or if it is just a trend for now.
Next time you are out shopping for a new outfit, consider this advice to make sure you end up purchasing a timeless piece instead of something in the moment.
How can you help?
Looking for other ways to reduce your fashion footprint? Check out these opportunities.
- Consider renting your clothes
- Shop your closet and rework the pieces you already have. Here is an example of how you can do this.
- Give your clothes a second life and donate your clothes to a thrift shop or shelter. DO NOT throw them away
- Donate used and torn items to For Days using their Take Back Bag
What fashion footprint tips do you have?
