SUSTAINABLE FASHION
ON A BUDGET

One of the biggest challenges we face when trying to consume fashion sustainably is the high cost of eco-friendly clothing. It is more time consuming and difficult to produce materials which cause minimal harm to the planet, so brands who use them have to sell their items at a higher price to make profits. The problem is if you don’t have the budget for them, you can’t justify buying them and may resort to fast fashion instead. That's completely understandable, however there are other ways to consume sustainably which are purse-friendly - let's take a look at the options:

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SECOND-HAND SHOPPING

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I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – second-hand shopping is the way forward. Picking up pre-loved pieces from a charity shop and extending their lifecycle is far more sustainable than purchasing brand new pieces from fast-fashion brands – and the cost is lower too. You can bag some incredible pieces if you know where to look, plus knowing you’re not causing harm to the planet is an added bonus.

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CLOTHES SWAPPING​

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Have a look and see if there’s a clothes-swapping community in your local area. This is a great way to swap out pieces you’re bored of for something different whilst meeting new people too! It also keeps your wardrobe from getting overcrowded as you have to take something out to get something new in, and it’s of course a sustainable and affordable consumption method.  

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MAKING IT​ LAST

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Taking care of your clothing means you won’t have to buy new items as regularly, resulting in you saving more money. Avoiding washing them unless they really need it, repairing damages, properly removing stains and storing them carefully can all make clothing last longer. For more tips on this, check out my article on making your clothing last longer.

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INVESTING IN STAPLES​

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We all have those key basic pieces our wardrobe wouldn’t be complete without – whether it’s a pair of jeans that go with literally anything or that black dress you wear to every party - these are the items worth investing in. If you need something new and know it’s a piece you’ll have for years and wear over and over again, this is where it might be worth spending a bit extra for a high quality, sustainable piece as it’ll pay off in the long run. Check out my article on the top five timeless pieces for some inspiration.

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There you have it – fashion which will make you, your bank account and the planet happy – consider these options instead of fast fashion from now on!