Thinking about your latest fashion obsession before you swipe the credit card doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style. Follow these tips for a more mindful wardrobe.
Support local, ethical fashion labels
There’s no shortage of ethical Kiwi-based labels – homegrown favourite, Kowtow, has just launched its first sustainably minded swimwear collection which you can check out here. Local labels often create smaller collections, producing less waste, which also allows them to form strong relationships with manufacturing factories. Support and choose brands that align with your own values.
“Buy less, choose well, make it last”
Dame Vivienne Westwood knew what she was talking about when she said the above. Instead of buying clothes based on impulses and the latest high street trends, spend money on fewer pieces that you will cherish, love and wear for many seasons to come.
Shop vintage
Give preloved pieces a whole new lease on life. The quality of vintage clothing is often unmatched by that of contemporary clothing, and when you invest in a vintage garment you’ll never find yourself in a room of people wearing the same thing.
Lease not buy
A lot of impulse buys happen when we need something for an upcoming event. Clothing rental services like Designer Wardrobe are popping up everywhere, providing our wardrobe with variation without the hefty price tag. It also gives the landfill one less only-worn-once dress to deal with.
Do the ‘cost per wear’ math
We often think that we’re saving money by purchasing smaller ticket clothing items. Calculate the cost per wear by dividing the cost of the garment by the number of times you think you’ll wear it, leaving you with the total cost per wear. Saving up for higher-quality pieces can be the best way to go.
