I like to look cute. And I describe my style as “quirky and adorable.” Dresses, stylish tops, heels, stockings…yup, I’m one of those girls. But it’s not often you will see me wearing a stylish outfit. To put together a fashionable outfit is HARD, and really expensive, especially when you factor in shoes and accessories. But fashion that’s also good for the planet doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, there are many ways to shop for sustainable fashion on a budget. Win-win for your wallet and the planet.
One of the keys to shopping sustainably on a budget is to invest in high-quality pieces that will last. Fast fashion may be cheap, but it is not well made to withstand everything our everyday lives through at it. By investing in well-made, timeless pieces, you’ll be saving money, reducing your environmental impact, and following in the footsteps of classic celebrities. Another tip is to shop secondhand. Thrift stores, consignment shops, and online marketplaces like Poshmark and Depop are great places to find affordable, sustainable fashion. Plus, buying secondhand is a great way to give new life to pre-loved clothing and reduce waste. And vintage is always on-trend.
There are many other ways to shop for sustainable fashion on a budget, from shopping your own closet to supporting ethical brands. Here are my favorite hacks for creating a sustainable wardrobe without breaking the bank.
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Building a Sustainable Wardrobe
When it comes to building a sustainable wardrobe, it’s not like one size fits all–that’s not even true for the hats and headbands whose tags it is printed on. But there are a few things that we can do to make sure we are doing our part for the planet, while looking amazing. Here are some ways to get started.
Starting with Basics
The first rule of building a sustainable wardrobe is to NOT go out and buy anything new right now. You likely have a lot of items in your closet to start creating different looks without spending any money!
The foundation of any wardrobe is built on basics, and it’s no different when it comes to building a sustainable wardrobe. I like to recommend investing in classic pieces that can be worn all year and in different ways, once you’ve established you need new pieces to fill out your closet. By choosing timeless pieces, you can avoid the need to constantly update your wardrobe and reduce your overall consumption.
Some examples of sustainable basics include organic cotton t-shirts, linen shirts, and denim jeans. These materials are eco-friendly, durable, and comfy. Classic colors like white, blacks, and creams stand the test of time, more-so than some of the bright fashion items and colors that may speak more to our personalities.
Investing in Quality Sustainable Clothing
Investing in quality pieces is another aspect to consider when building your budget friendly sustainable wardrobe. While it may seem counterintuitive to prioritize quality over quantity when cost is a concern, the long-term benefits outweigh initial expenses.
Garments made from high-quality fabrics, such as organic cotton, linen, or Tencel, boast superior durability and longevity compared to their cheaper counterparts. Other options include When shopping for sustainable fashion brands, we recommend looking for materials such as recycled fabrics, deadstock fabrics (fashion-industry leftover fabric), hemp, or bamboo. Opting for these materials means fewer replacements, reducing overall consumption and waste.
Ensuring your classic/go-to pieces are made of quality materials will have your outfits withstanding trends, while transcending seasons and fleeting fads. By curating a versatile wardrobe with enduring fabrics, individuals can create a sustainable fashion footprint without breaking the bank. Moreover, high-quality materials often offer superior comfort and breathability, enhancing wearer satisfaction and minimizing the need for excessive laundering, which in turn conserves water and energy.
Ultimately, investing in high-quality fabrics aligns with both financial prudence and environmental responsibility, fostering a more sustainable approach to fashion without compromising your style or hampering your budget.
Understanding Sustainable Fashion Brands
If you start with high-quality basics that go with everything, you’ve won most of the battle. But it’s important that we know what’s going on in the fashion industry and educate ourselves on sustainable clothing brands and their practices. By supporting brands that prioritize sustainability by utilizing sustainable materials or through their supply chains, we’re making a positive impact on an industry shrouded in secrecy and encouraging others to do the same.
Some things you want to check out before shopping sustainable brands are to look for (1) what materials are used, (2) how it is processed, (3) the companies commitment to produce ethical fashion, and (4) the treatment of the employees and factory workers that are making the affordable clothing. You want to look for a slow fashion brand that is also fair trade certified, meaning the clothing was made at a company whose materials, production, labor, and prices are all independently verified.
Building a sustainable wardrobe at an affordable price doesn’t have to be difficult. By starting with basics, investing in quality, and supporting sustainable fashion brands, you are on your way to a conscious closet that is both stylish and environmentally friendly.
Shopping for Affordable Sustainable Outfits
The most sustainable option when it comes to our clothing, is to use what we already own…but that’s not realistic in all scenarios. When shopping for sustainable fashion on a budget, we just need to be an informed shopper. This means being mindful about where you shop, what you buy, and how often you wear your clothing items.
What I mean is: if you find an affordable ethical outfit, from a fair-trade certified shop, that uses renewable energy in it’s production practices…it’s still creating waste if you wear it once (for that one party or event) and then it sits in the back of your closet for twenty more years.
I don’t buy a lot of clothes, most of mine are hand-me-downs or have been gifted to me for Christmases or birthdays. And while, they aren’t necessarily all items that are “me,” I make them into my style with layers or by pairing them with shoes or a jacket that pulls off my “quirky, but adorable” vibe. Anywho (I got sidetracked), all that to say that I have items in my closet that I haven’t TOUCHED in over 5 years, so I know the struggle. But the Boyfriend and I are in the middle of decluttering basically our entire lives, and that includes our closets.
Cute Ginny fashions coming to a thrift store…one of these days.
Thrifting and Second-Hand Stores
One of the best affordable ways to shop sustainably is by thrifting and shopping at second-hand stores. These stores are more affordable, give a second-life to clothing that would otherwise end up in a landfill, and they reduce the environmental impact of fast fashion.
Secondhand clothing stores are perfect places to find unique pieces that are no longer available in stores, create your own fashion style, and you’ll be reducing our global waste. Some popular second-hand stores include thrift stores, charity shops, and online platforms like Vinted and eBay.
Sites like ThredUp are changing the ways to shop sustainable fashion, as an online thrift store housing of 55,000 brands of gently used clothing. Or, as they put it in their mission: “inspiring a new generation to think secondhand first.”
And ThredUp offers a closet clean out service where you can earn money for your used clothing…might be something I definitely have to look into?!
Clothing Swaps and Renting
Another great way to shop sustainably is by participating in a clothing swap party or renting clothes for one-off occasions. Clothing swaps are a fun way to exchange clothes with friends or attend events where you can swap clothes with other people. I’ve never been to one, or participated in an actual event, but my sister raids my closet when she visits me and I raid hers…does that count?
Renting clothes is also a great option, especially if you need a specific outfit for a special occasion. This way, you can wear something new (and FANCY) without having to buy it. Some popular online platforms for renting clothes include Rent the Runway and Le Tote.
Avoiding Fast Fashion Trends
In the midst of retail therapy, it can be hard to remember all of this, but really all we’re trying to do is avoid fast fashion trends when shopping with our hard-earned money. Fast fashion is characterized by cheaply made clothes that are designed to be worn for a short period of time before being discarded. It is often fast fashion brands that have been in the spotlight for the treatment of their factory workers (through wages and/or safety standards).
By avoiding fast fashion trends, you are sustainable shopping before you even realize it. Plus now you can invest in high-quality pieces that will last longer and be more versatile. And you’re on your way to creating your very own capsule wardrobe, which is a collection of essential pieces that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits in your style. Look for those timeless, classic pieces that will never go out of style, and focus on quality over quantity.
Sustainable Care and Maintenance
When it comes keeping your sustainable fashion affordable, care and maintenance of our clothes is just as important as the buying process. Taking care of our clothes keeps them looking good for longer, and reduces the need to buy new clothes as often. I go a little bit deeper into the maintenance process in my musings on sustainable date night fashion ideas, but here are some high-level tips for sustainable care and maintenance to get you started.
Repair and Mend
Repairing and mending our clothes is a great way to extend their lifespan. We can take our clothes to a local tailor or learn basic sewing skills to do it ourselves. Small repairs like fixing a loose button or hemming a pair of pants are easy to learn and can save us money (and people-ing). We can also use patches or embroidery to cover up small holes or stains.
Upcycling Old Pieces
Upcycling is a fun way to breathe new life into old clothes. We can turn an old t-shirt into a tote bag, or cut up old jeans to make shorts. There are endless possibilities when it comes to upcycling, and it’s a great way to get creative and continue to reduce our waste. We can find inspiration online, especially in visual platforms like Pinterest, or come up with our own ideas.
Being an Informed Consumer
As eco-conscious consumers, we know the power our wallets have to make a positive impact, both on the fashion industry and the environment. We don’t want to spend our money funding items we don’t care about, which is why it’s important to become an informed consumer.
Research and Education
Research is key when it comes to shopping for sustainable fashion (or shopping sustainably in general). We should educate ourselves on the brands we support, the materials they use, and their production processes. This will help us make informed decisions and avoid being tricked by marketing greenwashing. We can start by looking for reviews from other customers who share our values.
We should also look for brands that are transparent about their carbon emissions and their efforts to reduce them. This information can often be found on their websites or through third-party certifications. Additionally, we should consider supporting small and/or local businesses and ethical clothing brands that prioritize sustainability and ethical production practices.
Supporting Ethical Choices
We can also support ethical choices by choosing materials that are sustainable and eco-friendly. For example, bamboo is a fast-growing and renewable resource that can be used to make clothing, accessories, and even furniture. We can also choose materials that are biodegradable and compostable, such as organic cotton and linen, or even MicroModal, which is made from the pulp of beechwood trees.
When shopping for sustainable fashion, we should also consider the price. Fashion (clothing, accessories, shoes) can often be expensive, but there are affordable options available for those of us looking for ethical and sustainable fashion. We can look for sales at our favorite brands that sell sustainable products, thrift stores, and secondhand shops to find high-quality, ethically produced clothing at a lower price.
Final Thoughts on Sustainable Fashion on a Budget
Being an informed consumer is an important aspect of shopping for sustainable fashion on a budget. But once you have your basics lined up in your closet, and your amazing sense of style, I know you can create outfits that inspire all of us. By doing our research and supporting conscious fashion brands that make ethical choices, we are making a positive impact on the environment and the fashion industry.
