There was a time when shopping for clothes used to be an annual or semi-annual thing, something exciting to look forward to on Diwali, as a part of the whole festive shopping agenda. But with the introduction of fast fashion, or let’s say, easily available fashion, the shift from need-based shopping to want-based shopping was inevitable.
The dawn of consumerism across the world has dominated the shopping behaviour of a majority of the population. And while what might have felt great, for what seemed like a minute, may not feel the same in the long run. That’s because the feeling of not ever having enough is the by-product of consumerist consumption. But the more you consume, the more the environment deteriorates through water pollution, air pollution, land pollution, deforestation, harm to human life, all of it resulting in the detrimental climate change we are experiencing today.
So while we watch news of wildfires burning across countries like France, Algeria, Morocco, Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain, the reality of climate change may hit you hard. If this has got you thinking about what you can do to contribute to a better world environment, the answer isn’t “not much”, it’s “a whole lot”. And amongst all the things you do, buying less is a great way to start making a difference.
Can we put a number to it?
New collections are added by fast fashion brands every week at the behest of staying “current” and having the latest trends to offer to customers. This, however, doesn’t mean you have to shop that often. So how often is it okay to shop? Can we put a number to it? Let’s find out.
What’s okay and what isn’t?
When you need to shop is something of a subjective topic. While it is not okay to indulge in buying things, especially clothes, every week something new is launched, buying when there’s actual need is a different story altogether. That said, a good way to reduce shopping often is to decrease it gradually. For example, if you shop twice a month, start by going down to once a month, then once every other month and so on. While buying only a few times a year may seem like a stretch, try to stay true to how much you use what you buy. Long story short, there’s never going to be a straight answer, or a one hat fits all sort of a solution to this question. However, we’ve come up with a list of questions you need to ask yourself to make sure you’re making the right choice by buying a particular item.
When did you shop last?
The easiest way to know whether or not you should buy something you’re eyeing is to answer this question. If your answer ranges anywhere from “yesterday” to “15 days ago”, it may be time to reconsider.
Did you buy something similar recently or already have something like it?
If you’ve reached this question, the next logical buying decision should be based on whether or not you already own something like the item you’re about to buy. If you do, then maybe you don’t need your new buy. Want to give something old a new look? Here are some styling ideas that can help you reinvent something as simple as a pair of skinny jeans: Click Here
Why do you want to buy this particular garment/accessory?
This is one of the most important questions before buying anything, be it that cute top or those trendy pair of shoes, why do you want it? Is it only because you saw someone on social media wear it? Or does it speak to you and resonate with your personal style? If it does, kudos to finding a new, meaningful item of clothing. If not, maybe you should give it a pass!
Will you wear it after 3 or 6 months? How about after 1 year or two?
Now here’s where most dilemmas will end. Sure, you love this new item today, but what about after three or six months? Are you sure you will love and wear it even after a couple of years? Fashion and clothing go beyond just trends. To own a wardrobe that helps make the world a better place, and you a bit more stylish, it needs to be filled with things that hold as much value, versatility and meaning.
Is this item made of good enough quality to last you that long?
If your potential purchase has reached this point in the article, it’s probably something really special. But for it to turn into a real purchase, make sure you get this straight. What is this item made of? Are the materials qualitative enough to last as long as you want to wear them? Gone are the days that wearing something for a couple of weeks and throwing it was the norm. Today, you need your clothes to last long enough for you to not have to run back to the store to buy something new to replace it.
A quick word of advice? Sleeping on it works! Try to give your buy a thought instead of buying on an impulse. If you already have bought something, don’t be afraid to put your 30-day return policy to good use and return the item.