Climate Conscious Column: Buy Less, Love More
By Ellie Bavier, Cover Art by Emma Borrow
Closet purges have become a seasonal-must these days. It seems there are always too many clothes to donate or sell, and that your drawers are overflowing with tees you never seem to wear anymore. Yet, there is always more to tidy up, and less space for the clothes you really love. These cleanouts may actually be a greater sign of an overabundance of consumption, which in turn negatively affects our Earth.
The markets have pushed consumers to buy more and spend less on each article of clothing. To mirror the pressure, quantity supplied by these clothing companies has increased, as does their surplus. Watching out for these red flags will help you fight back against the mass production of fast fashion, and cheap buys.
One way to reduce your carbon footprint is by simply buying less. Instead of buying more cheap articles of clothing, you can invest in high quality clothing with the same money. Higher quality clothing will last longer, and also last through the trends that rise and fall with fashion. You will also feel better about wearing it.
To invest in a piece you truly love is much more gratifying, and encourages thought behind each purchase. These pieces are the ones you reach for every time, and stay at the top of your drawers. Though closet purging is a great way to thin out your closet, buying less is an easier preventative method. My mother once told me, “You shouldn’t buy anything you don’t absolutely love.” These wise words are ones that can help encourage intention in your shopping.
There are simple ways to break the habit and resist divulging in sales. First, refrain from looking at clothing brands’ websites, emails, or social media. Constantly being faced with temptation doesn’t help end the shopping craving. Also, keeping track of a closet helps you understand the needs your wardrobe has. This helps you avoid repeats in purchases, and keep your shopping focused and purposeful. Online shopping can often become a mindless activity whilst we feed into our boredom. Setting out with a mission, or a specific addition to your closet, can help you narrow the search.
Buying less can still be attainable while maintaining a versatile and fashionable style. This can be achieved with a capsule wardrobe. The purpose of a capsule wardrobe is to have a closet that fully encapsulates your taste. Each piece of clothing should be able to work with the others, with the goal of creating a timeless wardrobe.
Capsule wardrobes are a great way to also thin out your closet from clothes you don’t absolutely love. Usually, these closets have around 30 well-made pieces that are alternated throughout seasons. Finding a color palette that works for you makes each garment wearable with the next.
It is important to have a good mix of statement pieces and basics. Having easy go-to’s that match the rest of your wardrobe is a super easy and quick way to create a well composed outfit. Some staples to the wardrobe include solid white or black tees and tank tops. These offer interchangeable basics that match with any outfit.
TikTok fashionistas have been frequenting the strategy. These easy visual aids are a great source of inspiration. Their posts showcase outfit combinations with only a few different garments. Highlights of the TikTok capsule wardrobes include blazers, high waisted jeans, solid tees, and fitted trousers. As influencer Veronika (@whatverowears) says, “It’s important that it works for your lifestyle and your body type, because the idea is to wear these for a long time.”
Another up and coming trend is the “made to order trend”. The trend lives through smaller brands, with the purpose of reducing textile waste. Each order is fulfilled as it is made, so there is no surplus left over. There is essentially no inventory-- and thus no waste! This is an amazing way to support small businesses, eliminate the waste that could’ve been, and also have a unique piece. The made-to-order business ensures that your garment is coming from an ethical place. Made-to-order is a part of the slow fashion movement, which essentially counteracts the workings of fast fashion.
A big draw to the made-to-order business is its personalization. The nature of the business means that less garments are being made, so your purchase is guaranteed to be unique. Made-to-order tends to be a bit more expensive, and take a longer time to reach your doorstep. However, these garments are investments, and the price properly reflects the care it took to make each piece just for you. Some brands to keep an eye on are Olivia Rose the Label, MaisonCléo, and Frilly.
Clothes are meant to last, made to be worn, and purposed to be loved. Make the investment in what you love, and leave the rest behind. Caring for your favorite items can be incredibly gratifying, and it also helps fight the fight against climate change.