How to Actually Shop Sustainably – Building Your Wardrobe by Consuming Less

The combination of fast fashion and social media has proven to be the perfect storm when it comes to continuing the cycle of overconsumption. Thanks in large part to TikTok, fashion trends seem to be coming and going at record speeds that even Amazon Prime one-day delivery can’t keep up with. Yet, in the bombarding blur of fast-paced media, trending TikTok sounds, and new “-core” aesthetics emerging each day, a silver lining is clear: We’re sick of it, and we’re ready for change. 

More and more people are looking to slow down their consumption of both social media and fashion. For many, this means shopping only from “sustainable” brands. Yet, as countless clothing brands that claim to have “sustainable” fabrics, factories, and initiatives are actually prime examples of greenwashing, how can conscious fashion-enthusiasts actuallyshop sustainably? The answer: the most sustainable shopping practice is to shop less. 

Limiting our consumption– of clothing, goods, social media, etc.– is not only better for people and the planet, but it’s also better for our health. Thus, when it comes to choosing pieces for your wardrobe, shopping slowly and consciously is the best route for everyone. 

Let’s go over some conscious shopping habits you can adopt to intentionally curate your personal style and choose your new (and used) pieces wisely.

Quality Over Quantity

One of the best shopping habits you can have is choosing quality over quantity. While $500 can get you 50+ items on fast-fashion-site-that-shall-not-be-named, these pieces fall apart after one use and are made through the worst levels of fast-fashion exploitation. Rather, that money could go toward a few thoughtfully-selected pieces that are made to last a lifetime.

High-quality pieces can be expensive, but a high price tag also doesn’t always mean high quality. Learn how to discern quality levels with this helpful article from The Luxe Strategist.

Shop Second-Hand

Perhaps high price tags used to be parallel to higher quality, but the truth is that many garments just aren’t made the same these days. Shopping second-hand not only grants access to well-crafted, vintage clothes that were made prior to the modern state of fast fashion, but it also makes shopping for quality pieces more affordable.

You might be surprised how many designer items you can find for under $50 on sites like Poshmark, Depop, and even The RealReal. Plus, second-hand shopping is the best choice for the environment, keeping clothes out of landfills and reducing the demand for new garments.

Remember, shopping small is almost always the most sustainable option. Consider supporting small vintage businesses, such as our online store Reborn Archive which offers a wide array of unique and made-to-last pieces.

Be Realistic

When it comes to picking new-to-you pieces with intention, try to be realistic. This means be honest with yourself about whether you will actually wear that item, whether you will get tired of it in a couple months, and what your shopping patterns really look like. 

Ask yourself these questions to come back down to reality:

• What are my clothes-buying habits? Do I buy into trends and get sick of them soon after? Do I tend to buy a lot of items that never leave my closet?
• Do I get tired of pieces with loud colors and prints faster than neutral pieces?
• What pieces do I actually gravitate toward when getting dressed? 
• What occasions do I get dressed for? Do I dress-up often, or do I keep it comfy for working at home all day?

There’s a saying that dressing for the life you want to live can help you manifest it. While that holds some truth, in order to consume less, we have to shop for the lives we actually live (but there can be a balance!).

For example, I’ve found myself having a closet full of mesh tops, uncomfortable mini skirts, and countless adorable items that I never actually wear, as I’m working remotely most days. Thus, investing in a few nice-quality, comfortable pieces that I will actually want to wear might be smarter for me.

Make a List

Writing a list of pieces you want to add to your wardrobe forces you to be conscious about your shopping choices. The items on your list can range from a specific vintage gem on Depop to a more broad idea like ‘mid-rise jeans’. Searching for specific pieces rather than basing your purchases off of targeted ads and Pinterest inspiration is a sure way to make said purchases fewer and more intentional. 

To do this, survey your wardrobe for gaps that you would like to fill. Plus, take note of the types of garments that only live in your closet, as well as your go-to’s. This process helps you figure out both what you really ‘need’ and what you really don’t need. Once your list is created, try to stick to only this list as much as possible when shopping. 

Find Your Personal Style

Have you ever bought an item just to get sick of it two months later? Do you repeatedly have to clean out your closet of things that are ‘so last year’? These results more often than not come from following fashion trends. While participating in trends can be fun, and current trends might be truly cute, we have to break the hypnotic cycle of our own trend participation in order to shop consciously. 

As a stance against trendiness and overconsumption, there’s been a lot of online talk about finding your personal style. Knowing what you actually like instead of trying to follow what’s ‘in’ ensures your chosen-pieces stay in your wardrobe for longer. Unlike most trends, your personal style is timeless to you. Plus, developing a personal style means you’ll buy pieces that actually go together, make you feel confident, and help you pause before falling for marketing tactics. 

But, how do you find your personal style? The reality is that it can be a deep and soul-searching process. That’s because this process is, at its core, about figuring out who you really are. Only then can you understand what you really like in the absence of outside influence. Finding your personal style can be a lengthy process, and you’re not alone in facing confusion when it comes to figuring out what you really like. Nonetheless, this journey is a rewarding one, and it can be the key to shopping smartly.

Reborn Archive is a curated online vintage store offering a selection of the highest quality second-hand garments. From designer brands to made-in-USA vintage, you’re sure to find pieces that will last for decades to come. Shop wisely here.