Starting last year I realized that I was honestly buying too much stuff. I had to move in the Spring of 2019 very suddenly (our 180 unit apartment complex was kicked out with 6 weeks notice so they could re-do the units and charge more) and realized as I was packing that I had so much clothing that I had not worn or had only worn once.
I realized that I was buying just to buy or buying to have in my closet or buying to take just one picture. This made me realize how bad this was for so many reasons. It was bad for the environment, as a lot of the pieces were fast fashion. Fast fashion is not produced in an environmentally friendly way and since it is not very good quality is often disposed of after a couple wears. Plus fast fashion is often not made in the most ethical of circumstances and the more we all learn about brand supply chains the more we realize that we shouldn’t be purchasing from them. My buying habits were also a huge drain on my budget, especially since the cost per wear of the items were so low…and some of them were not so cheap! I had so many items were I had bought multiple of the same item and then realized I only really liked the initial color I had bought. I also had done the same with shoes…which had the same result. And lastly, moving all that clothing was NOT easy. I know this sounds funny but it made moving so much harder and while I was unpacking I realized even more how many of the items I did not wear. At this point I knew I needed a lifestyle change.
As part of my lifestyle change, I decided I was going to try to be a more “conscientious buyer.” To me this means that before I add an item I will think about how it will work in my wardrobe and if I have anything like it. I will try to buy from more environmentally friendly brands but also recognize that I have a budget and will not be able to do that for every piece. For the pieces that I do buy from more fast fashion like brands, I will pay attention to the composition of the item (which can really influence how long the item will last if properly cared for) and how trendy the item is. There is nothing wrong with buying a couple trendy pieces but in general I want to stick to more classic pieces. By sticking to classic pieces I can buy higher-quality, more-expensive pieces and stay in budget since I am buying less!
Who knows maybe next year I will put a limit on the number of pieces I purchase..like 21 for 2021?
Being a Conscientious Buyer Ground Rules
- Buy Less in General
- Buy Less Fast Fashion and More from Sustainable Brands
- If Buying Fast Fashion, Check the Composition of the Item
- If Buying Fast Fashion, Limit the Number of Trendy Items
- If Adding New Pieces to My Wardrobe, Try to Buy Classic, Higher- Quality Pieces
- If Adding New Pieces to My Wardrobe, Consider if There is a Gap in My Wardrobe it is Filling