8 Sustainable Ways To: Indulge in Retail Therapy or Dress To The Nines
Hey lovelies! This is Margaux posting and I'll be taking you through some lifestyle pieces on our Rethink blog.
I feel that it is important that we rethink the way we live our lives so that we can protect our planet and make the world we live in a better place. And so today, I will be sharing 8 sustainable ways to help you rethink the way you head out to shop for clothes or dress up on the daily.
1. Bring along a canvas tote bag or reusable shopping bag
In general, canvas tote bags or reusable shopping bags come in handy when you want to carry your clothes and by bringing one out you help make the environment so much better. This is because the plastic shopping bags that retail stores give out are non-biodegradable which means it can't be recycled. It is also hard to get rid of too, taking a total of 1000 years for it to be decomposed.
Also, various methods of the disposal of plastic bags play a huge role in being an environmental hazard. For example, when plastic bags are burnt, they release toxic chemicals that causes various types of pollution (air, water, soil). In addition to these chemicals (dioxins, benxo(a)pyrene ['BAP'], other polyaromatic hydrocarbons [PAHs], etc.), also can result in various cancers and even immune or reproductive systems. Another way that the disposal of plastic bags harms the earth is that when plastics are disposed into the wild, animals end up dying due to reasons such as entanglement and ingestion.
Even getting a paper bag from a store is bad too, because you're enabling the action of more trees to be cut down and are just as threatening to the Earth.
Moral of the story, bring a canvas tote bag or reusable shopping back to prevent wildlife or the Earth from getting hurt.
2. Check the material of the clothes you're purchasing
As you're shopping and you're racking up the clothes you want in your hand. Reflect on what fabrics/materials constructed your products so that you can make an informed, eco-friendly decision and you can look cute as ever.
The key is to search for materials that are low-impact, biodegradable, natural or recycled synthetic.
Here's a little table for you to refer to when to understand the different textiles when you're shopping:
3. Shop second-hand
Yes, I'm sure you've all heard the song Thrift Shop by Macklemore. But hey, there is true glory to be found when shopping at these Thrift Stores and Op Shops.
Personally, I find people who do a lot of secondhand shopping or thrifting really inspiring as they are so refreshing to look at and I just love the eco-friendly approach to fashion. There's this Youtuber who's fashion I adore, Hitomi Mochizuki, and most of the pieces she wears are usually thrifted.
If you don't have the time to go out to a thrift shop or you're just super lazy. There are online platforms like Etsy and Carousell which there are sellers eager to sell away their second-hand clothing, all you have to do is search for what you're looking for.
There are even curated retail websites which sell secondhand/vintage/re-worked clothing too such as The Vintage Twin and Frankie Collective. However, these shops may be on the pricier side since after all the collections they carry are curated.
Hence, if you can't tell already I find this such an amazing way to shop and I am always on the hunt to find old pieces which I can transform into absolute fashion statements.
4. If you're down for a little adventure, check out your local markets on the weekend
You never know what treasures you can find in the markets. Usually, the pieces are artisan, hand-made or secondhand so I absolutely love looking out for one-of-a-kind pieces when the markets are on. Since I've been here, my current favourite is the Glebe Markets because the prices can be from as low as $5 and can go up to around $80, so it's perfect for the different types shoppers that either want to splurge on something high-end or just want cheaper stylish alternatives.
5. Build a Capsule Wardrobe
A capsule wardrobe is basically a wardrobe that downsizes your clothes, leaving you with an array of versatile pieces that won't go out of fashion for you to mix and match with.
It helps declutter your clothing keeping what you need and love, so it gives you a clearer idea of what you have and what you can wear on the day to day, making your days a lot more stress-free.
Here's a Youtuber, Allegra Louise, demonstrating the wonders of what a capsule closet can do and the numerous outfits you can pull together!
6. Understand the brands you are buying from
A lot of the time when we are buying clothes, we fail to realise the process in how it is made. How the supply chain works and even in some cases, the exploitation of workers in other countries. This can be a serious issue and hinder us from shopping ethically.
The Baptist World Aid Australia, does an annual Ethical Fashion Guide each year rating the brands you know based on how "the risks of forced labour, child labour and worker exploitation in their supply chains" are being mitigated. With higher grades indicating that the brands are producing fashion that is more ethical and vice versa.
You can also check out this fashion documentary if you want to understand the conditions that these workers are put through and how "fast fashion" really works.
7. Rediscover the existing pieces you have
As much as you want to go out and get new additions to your wardrobe, take a step back and look through your closet. There's definitely bound to be clothes inside that are as chic and fashion-forward, so just recycle what you have and rock it out in new looks that you can put together. It can make your outfits timeless or even give it some street cred.
8. Think about your shopping decision, choose wisely!
You may like an item but if you aren't in love with it or you don't need it, you shouldn't get it. Instead get a long-time purchase; something that you will be able to incorporate into your outfits for many years.
Hope these tips can help all of you out and allow you to rethink your retail consumption habits and wardrobe choices!
I feel that it is important that we rethink the way we live our lives so that we can protect our planet and make the world we live in a better place. And so today, I will be sharing 8 sustainable ways to help you rethink the way you head out to shop for clothes or dress up on the daily.
1. Bring along a canvas tote bag or reusable shopping bag
In general, canvas tote bags or reusable shopping bags come in handy when you want to carry your clothes and by bringing one out you help make the environment so much better. This is because the plastic shopping bags that retail stores give out are non-biodegradable which means it can't be recycled. It is also hard to get rid of too, taking a total of 1000 years for it to be decomposed.
Also, various methods of the disposal of plastic bags play a huge role in being an environmental hazard. For example, when plastic bags are burnt, they release toxic chemicals that causes various types of pollution (air, water, soil). In addition to these chemicals (dioxins, benxo(a)pyrene ['BAP'], other polyaromatic hydrocarbons [PAHs], etc.), also can result in various cancers and even immune or reproductive systems. Another way that the disposal of plastic bags harms the earth is that when plastics are disposed into the wild, animals end up dying due to reasons such as entanglement and ingestion.
Even getting a paper bag from a store is bad too, because you're enabling the action of more trees to be cut down and are just as threatening to the Earth.
Moral of the story, bring a canvas tote bag or reusable shopping back to prevent wildlife or the Earth from getting hurt.
2. Check the material of the clothes you're purchasing
As you're shopping and you're racking up the clothes you want in your hand. Reflect on what fabrics/materials constructed your products so that you can make an informed, eco-friendly decision and you can look cute as ever.
The key is to search for materials that are low-impact, biodegradable, natural or recycled synthetic.
Here's a little table for you to refer to when to understand the different textiles when you're shopping:
3. Shop second-hand
Yes, I'm sure you've all heard the song Thrift Shop by Macklemore. But hey, there is true glory to be found when shopping at these Thrift Stores and Op Shops.
- It is mostly cheaper than shopping fast fashion - "Oh S---, it was 99 cents!"
- You are bound to find absolutely unique pieces that you can call your own
- It is absolutely fun when you find treasure amongst the racks
- You are part of a fashion upcycling process, which I find pretty exciting as well as uplifting!
Personally, I find people who do a lot of secondhand shopping or thrifting really inspiring as they are so refreshing to look at and I just love the eco-friendly approach to fashion. There's this Youtuber who's fashion I adore, Hitomi Mochizuki, and most of the pieces she wears are usually thrifted.
If you don't have the time to go out to a thrift shop or you're just super lazy. There are online platforms like Etsy and Carousell which there are sellers eager to sell away their second-hand clothing, all you have to do is search for what you're looking for.
There are even curated retail websites which sell secondhand/vintage/re-worked clothing too such as The Vintage Twin and Frankie Collective. However, these shops may be on the pricier side since after all the collections they carry are curated.
Hence, if you can't tell already I find this such an amazing way to shop and I am always on the hunt to find old pieces which I can transform into absolute fashion statements.
4. If you're down for a little adventure, check out your local markets on the weekend
You never know what treasures you can find in the markets. Usually, the pieces are artisan, hand-made or secondhand so I absolutely love looking out for one-of-a-kind pieces when the markets are on. Since I've been here, my current favourite is the Glebe Markets because the prices can be from as low as $5 and can go up to around $80, so it's perfect for the different types shoppers that either want to splurge on something high-end or just want cheaper stylish alternatives.
5. Build a Capsule Wardrobe
It helps declutter your clothing keeping what you need and love, so it gives you a clearer idea of what you have and what you can wear on the day to day, making your days a lot more stress-free.
Here's a Youtuber, Allegra Louise, demonstrating the wonders of what a capsule closet can do and the numerous outfits you can pull together!
6. Understand the brands you are buying from
A lot of the time when we are buying clothes, we fail to realise the process in how it is made. How the supply chain works and even in some cases, the exploitation of workers in other countries. This can be a serious issue and hinder us from shopping ethically.
The Baptist World Aid Australia, does an annual Ethical Fashion Guide each year rating the brands you know based on how "the risks of forced labour, child labour and worker exploitation in their supply chains" are being mitigated. With higher grades indicating that the brands are producing fashion that is more ethical and vice versa.
You can also check out this fashion documentary if you want to understand the conditions that these workers are put through and how "fast fashion" really works.
7. Rediscover the existing pieces you have
As much as you want to go out and get new additions to your wardrobe, take a step back and look through your closet. There's definitely bound to be clothes inside that are as chic and fashion-forward, so just recycle what you have and rock it out in new looks that you can put together. It can make your outfits timeless or even give it some street cred.
8. Think about your shopping decision, choose wisely!
You may like an item but if you aren't in love with it or you don't need it, you shouldn't get it. Instead get a long-time purchase; something that you will be able to incorporate into your outfits for many years.
Hope these tips can help all of you out and allow you to rethink your retail consumption habits and wardrobe choices!
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