Fast fashion was a major craze in the past, with countless people getting involved with it. However, these days, the situation is different. Only a small minority of people even think it is a good idea anymore.
Saying goodbye to fast fashion isn’t an instantaneous process. However, once you have the right advice, it makes the process substantially easier.
Here’s what to do:
Invest In Timeless Staples
Top of your priority list should be investing in timeless staples. You want to make sure that the clothes you’re buying are fit to withstand the test of time. Ideally, items should last multiple years, if not more.
For example, for shoes, you could avoid cheap sneakers and opt for Alden boots instead. These have a tough outer layer that allows them to manage the worst the weather throws at them.
For pants, high-quality jeans are a great option. Denim makes them more durable and long-lasting.
Sweaters with a natural crewneck are also an idea. Get garments made of cotton instead of acrylic or polyester to protect the environment.
Shop Secondhand
Shopping for brand-new clothes should be your priority when eliminating the influence of fast fashion on your life, but buying used is also useful. Often, you can find high-quality, never-worn items on sites like Grailed or eBay, allowing you to pick up clothing options at a fraction of the cost.
If you can go to charity or army surplus stores and inspect items in person, that’s even better. Often, you can find real bargains using this approach.
Support Ethical Brands
At the same time, it is helpful to go against the fast fashion grain and support ethical brands that really care about the environment and protecting the future.
Because of the damage of fast fashion, these brands are actually more numerous than you might think, catering to people who want to make more ethical choices and decisions about what they wear. Patagonia is the most famous example, and will even repair outdoor wear for its clients if there are tears or problems with the zippers.
However, there are plenty of other ethical clothes and apparel brands out there that are doing all sorts of innovative things to reduce their impact.
Care For Your Clothes More
Another way to say goodbye to fast fashion is to care for your clothes more. Simply looking after them prevents you from having to replace them so often.
For example, you could wash them less, focusing on spot cleaning instead, to avoid wear and reduce water usage. You could also put them on a cold wash or skip the dryer and dry them outside.
Embrace Capsule Wardrobes
Finally, embracing capsule wardrobes can be a great way to keep you disciplined when it comes to clothing. Limiting the number of garments you can own at any given time because you don’t have any more space to keep them is a powerful disincentive. If you are going to purchase anything, ensure it is high-quality and can replace whatever you already have.
