Let me start this out by saying I am certainly no role model in this regard--for a long time, I've consumed a lot of fast fashion and bought a ton of stuff from shops like New Look, H&M, and all the brands that fall under their ownership. But since watching the Stacey Dooley documentary on fast fashion, I've been inspired to try and cut back. Here are three things that I've found to be helpful when trying to cut out fast fashion...
Work on your emotional shopping urges
This is a huge one for me. I'm an emotional shopper. When I'm stressed or sad, I tend to shop. It's almost a compulsion (how do you think I amassed enough beauty stuff to start a freakin' blog?). Tackling this urge has been the biggest thing that's reduced my fast fashion consumption. One of my main strategies is to break the "see-want-buy" link. If I see an item I want online, sometimes in the blink of an eye, I will have it in my basket and be entering my shipping details. When I get to that point, I simply close out of the browser window, close my laptop, and walk away. Breaking the "see-want-buy" link forces me to think about whether I really want the item, or whether I'm shopping emotionally.
I also try and shift my thinking towards the people who are being horrifically underpaid to make these inexpensive items, as well as the impact that the dyes and chemicals are having on the surrounding water sources.
Basically, I guilt myself into not buying it. If this doesn't work, go to therapy to find better coping mechanisms (I'm doing that, too).
Buy vintage
When I was at university, 99% of the clothes I bought were from thrift stores. If you've never gone thrifting, GO! It's so fun, and you can find some phenomenal oversized dad-flannel shirts. You're rescuing these perfectly good clothes from a landfill!
Plus, there are some incredibly beautiful vintage shops out there, like Retro Rehab in Manchester. You'll be in prairie dress heaven.
Buy ethical
I'm never going to be able to structure my shopping entirely based on used clothing, because let's face it--I'm just not that good at life. But luckily there are some amazing companies that are paying their workers fair wages and sourcing their fabrics ethically. I recently bought this Breton top from Community Clothing, who make all their products here in the UK, and it is so sturdy and well-made. It's a good feeling to buy clothes that you know are going to last.
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